My top three reasons to turn the TV off. In our home there is no TV to turn off.

1) Better Things To Do: I often hear people listing things that they wish they had time for.  Many complain of lack of time to accomplish the things we need and want to.  I find this amazing considering that in the United States the average home watches TV six hours and forty-seven minutes a day, while the average time spent in meaningful conversation with our children is three and a half hours per week.  When we are zoned in front of the TV we generally are not doing anything positive, such as spending time with family (staring at the television next to a family member doesn’t count).  We are generally not bettering ourselves or making ourselves more useful to the world, we are not improving our health, we are not being productive, and usually we are not learning anything of real value.  Count the amount of hours you or your children spend in front of the TV.  What productive things could you be doing with that time?

2) Think and Relax: The major purpose of television is for amusement.  The word “amusement” is derived from the root words “a” meaning “not” and “muser” meaning “to think.”  We do not fully realize how true it is that television makes us “not think” until we consider the studies that show the effects of television on the brain.  Through overstimulation, the left side of the brain shuts down, diminishing critical thinking, while increasing passivity, suggestability and difficulty consentrating.  Some even experience withdrawels from television.  Some watch to “unwind”  or relax at the end of the day, but TV is actually far from relaxing.  In fact, on any given day television watching is possibly the most stressful activity we undergo because of the continual overstimulation.  There are many more effective ways to unwind and relax.

3) Content: The vast majority of what we find on TV is not uplifting or positive for our character growth, even the children’s programs.  I am not just refering to the rated R material.  I am talking about the attitudes, selfishness, arguing, stealing, lying, complaining, backbiting, gossip, bitterness, and more that every successful show needs to have to be entertaining enough.  Not to mention the advertisements full of unhealthy food and appeals for us to want more and spend more.  In our desensitized state we don’t recognize the impact that watching these things has on our own character and mindset.  As entertaining as it may be, we would do well to let our minds dwell on more positive things.

I believe we have a responsibilty to our Maker to develop our minds and bodies to their fullest potential, as much as we are able.  The longer we sit in front of the television the more we waste our opportunities for growth and usefulness.  I want to suggest that you consider turning off the TV for a week and see how it can benefit you.