I have an addiction!!! please give advice or help!?

Question

I have an addiction!!! please give advice or help!?
okay, i guess i'm not that addicted. I'm a teenager who spends around 2 - 4 hours each day watching t.v. afterschool. I guess it's not that bad but i'm a really busy person. I'm on the school basketball team, in nearly all the clubs in the school, has many volunteer jobs and paying jobs. I also have high expectations of myself when it comes to marks so i study a lot. just don't have the time to watch so much t.v. Yet, i can't help it. Is there any ways you know that can help me? This is actually the second time i'm asking this question to be honest. In the first time, very generous ppl told me that it's okay to watch t.v. I can use it to unwind or relax. But...i dont' want to unwind or relax watching t.v. I just wanna stop watching it. It's a HUGE waste of time, and time is something i value more than all the diamond in the world.

Answer 1

This might be a very hard thing to do, but get rid of your TV. If it's not there to distract you, you could spend those 2-4 hours reading books. But on the other hand... People need to take breaks. It is very unhealthy to over exert yourself. And if you repress your feelings for a break now, you might end up growing up to be lazy. My cousin used to study hard as hell when he was in high school, and he used up all his fuel then, so when he went into college, where the rules are very relaxed, he took full advantage of the relaxed environment and became lazy. He's still very smart, but he's taking his sweet time finishing college. And there is a part of him that feels bad about it, but he just over worked himself during high school, and this is what he is now. People NEED to relax. But if you want to over exert yourself, I believe you should have the right to make that mistake. My suggestion, take the TV out of your room. And tell your parents not to allow you to watch television, or something. Have them buy a TV Blocker that requires a password.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are *very* busy person. I think maybe when you get in front of the TV, you are just winding down and resting for the next activity on your schedule.

If the TV watching is not cool for you, you need to replace it with some other "down time" activity that is relaxation and even regenerizing [sic]. As busy as your life is, you NEED to rest and with the candle burning at both ends, this is EXTREMELY important.

Do you have any relaxing hobbies... OK, I love to knit. It's awesome because physically, it's easy on the body. Mentally, it keeps my mind engaged enough that I am thinking throughout the process; but, I'm not concentrating so hard that my brain is fried afterwords. It's a great way to relax because it can provide you with the down time you need/require. You can listen to music, too without getting yourself distracted. If you don't know how to knit, there are so many books, DVDs and websites that can get you started.

Not too excited about the knitting? Lots of other hobbies can provide the same results... (don't laugh! some of these may sound so boring or geeky; BUT!!! after a long day at school, basketball practice, your job, volunteering and your clubs --- this may be the perfect way to unwind, relax, and yet-- not let your brain go numb!):
-- Gardening
-- Keeping a fish tank
-- Stamp collecting
-- Other fiber arts: crochet, sewing, needlepoint, weaving, spinning, etc
-- Learning/Playing a musical instrument
-- Crossword puzzles
-- Walking your pet, or quality play time with pup or kitten (not rowdy)
-- A nap
-- Cooking an easy family meal
-- Painting or Drawing
-- Bird Watching
-- Calling you best friend on the phone

I know many others will have some fantastic suggestions!

All the best,
Cindy B in OK

Answer 3

You do want to unwind. Every minute of the day cannot be a push to do something that drains energy. TV is a time waster and unwinding doesn't mean it needs to be a total waste.

Why not keep some library books around that you would be interested in reading and do that instead. It is physically relaxing not to be doing sports or anything, you can read what you want and not what you must do for school, and it still adds to your education and world view.

Best Wishes,

Sue

Answer 4

SELF CONTROL! I say it that way because I too had this problem, but I have dropped one habit to turn to another (The computer). Just don't sit where you normally watch TV. Like if you watch in the living room spend your time in the kitchen, if you watch in your room spend time in the family room. Break the habit by changing your routine. If you come home from school and go right to your room to watch TV, try sitting at the kitchen table and doing something hands on there. Pick up a hobby that requires a lot of attention. Like scrap-booking, you could work on it whenever you have free time or just want to keep from watching TV.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Its ok to watch tv but you dont wnat to over due it. I used to watch like 5 hours a day, but my mom got mad at me and so i cut down to 3 hours a day. Now i watch it for around an hour a day. The way you need to go about it is this. Look at a tv guid and think to your self "What shows do i really love?" find them in the tv guid and mark them. only turn on the tv when those shows start and turn it off right when its done so your not tempted.

Answer 6

If you want the slow way, gradually take time away from your TV viewing schedule until your down to about 15-40 minutes of TV a day.

Answer 7

As ur parents to remove cable tv

Answer 8

If you really have a problem, STOP WATCHING TV! If not, you're just wasting time... and if that's valuable, STOP WATCHING TV!

Answer 9

Just stop or find a reason to hate that show.

Answer 10

Take the TV out of your room....