The deleterious effects of TV

One night my favorite NFL team was playing football. So, I busily found a free trial for streaming the TV channel, chilled a cider, made myself a plate of nachos, and sat down to watch the game.

Wow! Have I been out of Tivilandia for a while!

I have been without a television or cable service for at least a decade due to the cost. And I have to say, after last night’s experience, that was probably one of the best S.P.A. Life decisions I’ve ever unwittingly made.

The volume of trauma, drama, and fear in the commercials alone were nearly paralyzing. It’s no wonder that when I had a TV, I always got up and did something else during the commercials!

Non-stop trauma and drama

No one needs to take on additional, wildly improbable things to worry about. One commercial was about a new network show set in a hospital where a new doctor mixed up medication and put a little girl into a coma. And another was about a show set in an inner-city police department where a new recruit killed a suspect on her first day on the job.

What these ads did in the space of 30 seconds each was sow fear, sorrow, anger, outrage, and distrust all wrapped up in a neat little ball of empathy. I in no way want to subject my mind and spirit to a full hour of either of those shows.

Too many shows, and the ads promoting them, are traumatizing and mind numbing. It’s bad enough, Heaven forbid, when we find ourselves experiencing these emotions in real life.

Now, I get that catharsis from a good story can also be good for our emotional well-being. We learn primarily through storytelling and can all benefit from someone else’s experiences.

But, we must choose carefully and consume moderately. We must become aware of all the emotional hooks and baggage that are coming at us, replete with visual imagery to enhance their impact.

Living a life of trauma and drama vicariously through television is not good for our emotional well-being and keeps us from living the S.P.A. Life.

Choose Wisely

So, ask yourself these questions before watching anything on TV:

·  Is it a story that I’m likely to benefit from?

·  Is it going to affirm trust in my fellow man and the world?

·  Is it going to help me be a better person?

·  Is it a warning of a probable event?

·  Is there something that can be done about the issue?

If not, change the channel, turn it off, discontinue cable, and sell your TV! Real life is dramatic and, sadly sometimes, traumatic enough. Choose your entertainment and diversions mindfully and carefully. Save your psyche and live the S.P.A. Life!

I’ll just close by saying, somewhat ironically, that the football game itself was the only positive experience offered on the TV that night. Watching it, I could appreciate the discipline, athleticism, sportsmanship, strategy, and the feelings of empathy for the injured. There was plenty of aggression, to be sure, but it was channeled to a relatively safe level, given the activity. But, all-in-all, an uplifting experience—especially because my team won!