The average person spends more than 2.5 hours a day watching television. Many of us spend a full 8 hour workday in front of our computers, and then hop online as soon as we get home. Is it any wonder we feel detached, stressed out, and unhappy sometimes?
I know it’s hard to put down the computer. There’s an almost infinite world wide web out there. Even if you love to Stumble Upon, there will always be the next dramatic chipmunk video you’re missing out on.
The television isn’t any easier to turn off. With awesome shows like Heroes, The Office, and Nip/Tuck, it’s almost a sin to miss out.
All these distractions can weigh down on you and make you miss the important things in life. Whether it’s taking steps to achieving your dream or just being with people and creating relationships, you need to escape the deadly glow.
Not only will you save money and energy, but you will be doing your part to be green and healthy.
So, how do you free yourself?
Unplug
For one day a week, turn off all of these things:
- TV - Your shows are all online now. Almost all the major TV networks such as ABC and NBC have full episodes up so you can watch at your leisure.
- Cellphone - Take a day to yourself and just spend time with people face to face. Don’t worry, rarely will a real emergency happen, and one day without texting your bff Jill won’t hurt.
- Computer - I know this can be difficult, but it is SO nice to get away from the screen once a week. Just to relax your eyes and fingers, you will feel so much better.
- Car - Walk places, ride your bike, rollerblade, or skateboard to wherever you want to go. You’ll be healthier and more energetic the less you use your car.
- iPod and radio - You don’t need to listen to music all the time. Instead, just enjoy the silence of your own thoughts. The latest Kanye single will still be overplayed on the radio tomorrow.
- Lights - Turn off your lights and let the sunshine in. The natural light is so much nicer and energizes you. If you can’t get sunlight inside, then go outside to enjoy it.
I have found the easiest day to do this is Saturday, since you can always find something to do.
I understand our lives can be hectic, so if you can’t turn all of these things off on the same day, try to do as many as possible and spread them out if you have to. Just do them once a week. If you can do it more often, then great, you’re going to be that much happier.
Now you’re wondering, what do I do with all of this time I’ve gained from unplugging? Well, it’s simple really.
Plug yourself in
During the time you’ve unplugged, plug these things in:
- Your Mind - Use that big brain of yours to think, invent, solve, or just mull over things. Don’t let it go to waste.
- Your Friendships - Connect with a friend and go do something outside. Building relationships are one of the most important things we can do.
- Your Family - The most important relationships are those with your family members. Enjoy their company and interact with them.
- Your Body - Go work out, run, stretch, or whatever it is you want to do to get in shape and stay healthy.
- Fun - Play a sport, a game, or find some friends to just socialize with. A slushee in the park with some good friends will be more fun than any television show ever could.
- Your Life - Start taking those steps to becoming successful and living your dream. Improve yourself and your life by actively achieving your goals.
- Creativity - Make some art, write a book, find a new passion. Use your wonderful gift of creativity before you start feeling stagnant.
- Candles - Instead of lights, use candles for that day. They can be romantic, make your home smell nice, or just relax you.
- Build Relationships - Meet someone new, or introduce yourself to someone who can help you succeed at your dream. Use this time to network and create ties that will help you achieve your goals.
Besides these things I’m sure you can think of a million personal things you can get done to be productive. All of these things will help you be happier and relieve stress.
So, pick a day to unplug and plug yourself in, then get to it.
Now go own the world.-Ravi Vora
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This is a great reminder, Ravi! Unplugging TV and the cell phone are easy for me, but the computer is much harder.
Sometimes I feel that I’m glued to it - just because there are so many things I’m working on online. Writing, reading, communicating.
So, in other words, I’m one of the people desperately in need of a computerless day. Let’s see, I might try this next weekend. :)
Great post!
According to statistics I’ve read by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/), the average American spends slightly more than two hours per day watching TV…
Caught ya! =P
Jarkko - I know how you feel. It’s hard to rip yourself away from so many lines of communication. Getting things done on the computer just comes so easily.
Patrick - Ah, you’re partially correct, indeed. Thanks for catching that, I had trouble finding a reliable source but many of them pointed to 4 hours as the official data. However, according to your source, it does show that unemployed males watch 4.64 hours of television a day and unemployed females watch 3.51 hours. For employed males and females, they watch 3.18 hours and 2.66 hours respectively.
I’ve unplugged my cell phone for a day and a half last week–it was great. :) I’ve also lessened the hours watching TV and it feels wonderful (although I always watch the morning news for updates around the world).
BUT when it comes to the internet, we’re glued together. There’s just so much to do online — homework, studying, checking Google Adsense and Analytics, e-mails, and you’re right about Stumble! Although, that IS how I found you’re web site. :P
Overall, good tips about plugging in the important aspects of life–connection with self, family/friends, and nature. Some people, like me, need reminders like that (although, I’m glad to say, I already do some of these! yay me!).
Until the next one! :)
Hi Ravi,
I’ve got your blog from the Bryan photography contest. I really enjoyed this article so I add you to my feed.
You make an excellent point about using our time to think. It’s only recently (relatively speaking) that all these distracting (albeit useful) devices have come about.
Today, we cram so much entertainment and diversions that we leave little time to think and create on our own.
Think back to just 150-200 years ago, society was much different; the bombardment of distractions we have didn’t exist. People had more “free time” to think. Whether the general population took advantage of the time, who knows, but many great thinkers have emerged throughout the centuries because they took the time to think and ponder about questions and challenges.
Thanks for the reminder to take some time to use our brains to generate thought rather than just receive it through our many devices and communication networks.
Give up music? No way! My thoughts scare me anyways.
Paula - Great, I’m glad to hear you’re already on the right track! I agree it’s difficult to sever the ties, especially as we become more dependent on our computers. But just think, what would you do with a day where you couldn’t use a computer?
Lau - I haven’t heard of the Bryan Photography contest, what is it? Thanks for adding me!
Tom - You’re absolutely right. Almost makes me wonder if we’d have more DaVinci’s and Aristotle’s today if we didn’t have so many distractions.
Nestor - Just for a day, just try it. If your thoughts are still too scary, then they’re probably ripe for creating things!
Nice post Ravi. I like the idea of unplugging one day a week. Although, I think for myself, it’s more like unplug for a few hours each night, or just plug in one thing at a time - not everything all at once.
Great ideas for making more time for other things - especially just for some time to realize there are “other things.” :0)