The average citizen watches more than 35 hours of television a week. If you find that you have become addicted to TV and want to detox, or if you are celebrating the week of TV off, the secret is to get used to turning it on by following the steps below, which will allow you to watch less and less TV until you stop altogether.
Steps
Step 1. Start small
Try not to watch TV for one day a week. Make sure you replace the time you spent on her with something else that's just as satisfying to you. In other words, don't replace time off TV with something you hate. You could do something useful, such as cleaning the fireplace, sweeping leaves, or bathing the cat, but some things may be best done when you've already permanently removed the TV from your life. At the moment, the best way to get rid of television is to replace it with a fun activity, perhaps a constructive and useful one, such as reading a book, learning to play the guitar or playing with your children. You can optionally increase the days of the week you don't watch TV until you've completely eliminated it.
Step 2. Do not replace old programs with new ones
When one of your favorite shows ends or you feel like watching it, don't replace it with a new show. Instead, use the time you used to do something else, like calling a friend, pursuing a hobby, reading, or exercising. Over time, you will reduce the number of programs you watch to an acceptable number.
Step 3. Use the TV timer
Many TVs have a built-in timer. When you start watching it, immediately decide how much time you intend to dedicate to it, and set the timer so that the TV turns off when the time is up. Doing so will avoid letting you passively sit in front of the TV for too long, or at least force you to turn it back on if you want to keep watching it, making you more aware of the time that has passed. If your TV doesn't have a timer function, or if you don't know how to use it, get a super simple kitchen timer. They are cheap, easy to use, and useful for other things as well.
Step 4. Keep a journal of your use of the TV
Realizing your addiction, without necessarily feeling compelled to quit, can help you understand how much time you actually waste in front of the TV. The act of noting how much time you spend in front of the TV (and what you watch) will most likely also end up reducing that time more and more. By the time you write "12:30 - I'm watching a replica of Friends I've already seen twice", you will realize how much time you are wasting and you will turn off the television, which you normally would not have done, because you would have lost the sense of weather.
Step 5. Compare the time you spend in front of the TV to the time you would need to achieve your personal goals
It's a good way to get motivated to start exercising. When you have kept the diary on TV for at least a week, you will begin to realize how much time of your life you are throwing away like this. Now is the time to ask yourself how to use that time more productively. If you spend 20 hours a week glued to the TV, think about all the goals you could achieve if you used all that time to do something else! Make a list of all the milestones you would like to achieve, or a list of the things you've always put off for lack of time. Things like:
- Lose weight and get back in shape.
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Spend more time with friends, with your partner or with your family.
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Learning to play an instrument.
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Maintain a garden so you can grow your own food.
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Step 6. Get rid of your TVs
The growth of the television sector is linked to the growth in the number of televisions per household. Reduce the number of televisions you have at home, and you will reduce the time you spend in front of them. You may encounter some resistance to doing this if you live with other TV addicts, especially children; but do you really need more than a TV? Indeed, do you really need a TV? If you leave a TV in the house, at least put it in an uncomfortable place, like the garage, where you won't find a comfortable sofa to sink into.
Step 7. Reduce the number of channels
Another reason people are watching more and more television is that there are more and more channels. Consider reducing your satellite contract. Doing so will also allow you to save every month !.
Step 8. Use the recorder to your advantage
While recording devices are linked to increased television usage, you can use them to achieve the opposite effect. Make it a point to only watch recorded shows, and at that point limit the amount of things you can record. This way you will be forced to be more selective about what you want to watch.
Method 1 of 2: Quit by Finding Alternatives
Step 1. Think about what you would like to do instead. It is a fundamental step, if you don't find something that can keep your interest high, you will end up returning to good old TV
Learn about volunteering, 'check out' that book, library books or CDs or magazines, find a new hobby, learn a trade, or do anything else you would like but are not currently doing. Maybe make your new activities overlap with the hours you used to watch TV; you certainly can't watch TV in your home if you're volunteering in the cafeteria at the same time.
Step 2. Choose some time to dedicate to the activity chosen in step # 1
Start with little time (30 minutes / 1 hour) and expand it to one day a week.
Step 3. Turn off the TV and unplug for the time set in step # 2
Step 4. Continue like this until you no longer miss your time in front of the TV
At that point the time to devote to other activities increases. Soon the one dedicated to TV will be totally replaced by something more productive. There are people who go so far as to make their TV addiction bad for their time and money.
Method 2 of 2: Quitting Drastically
Step 1. Call the television service manager and ask if there is the possibility of suspending your viewing for a few weeks or months
Make sure there are no penalties for doing so.
Step 2. Follow the same steps as the "alternatives method" just mentioned in the previous section
Step 3. If this method fails, try to quit by finding alternatives
Advice
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Use your TV time to read.
Going to your local library may hold you pleasant surprises.
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Do not leave the TV on all the time in the background.
If no one is watching it, turn it off. A TV left on attracts a lot of people. If you prefer some background noise while you work, try radio, music, or a tabletop fountain.
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Remember that you don't need television to live.
In the past and in some modern cultures, people didn't even look at it. If you grew up in a time when watching TV is normal, it may be difficult for you to imagine a life without television. However, by following the steps in this guide, it will become easier and easier to do without it.
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Stopping watching TV will also be good for your wallet.
If you decide not to even keep a TV, and if it still works, consider selling or donating it to someone who needs one or more TVs. If you want to donate it, look for a local school or non-profit organization. If your television is relatively new, you may be making some money from the sale. Use that money to do something else. You will also save by canceling the various fees or contracts for the satellite.
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If you need to listen to audio activity, try audiobooks, radio, and podcasts.
Some people, out of necessity or personal preference, prefer to listen to things instead of reading them. Many classic or modern books have been transposed into audiobooks, and there are podcasts on every subject imaginable. There are also radio shows running around the clock, just find the right frequencies for your area.
- If you don't stop watching TV drastically, at least exercise while watching it, or wait for commercials to get moving.
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Find yourself another news source.
If you were also using television as a news source, start reading newspapers, magazines, or websites. You may find that you prefer them, as you can spend more time on the articles you like and read only as much of each story as you want.
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Meet other people who have made the same choice.
You may think you are the only person who doesn't watch TV, but there are other people like you. So many people from all walks of life are eliminating television from their lives in order to make room for more important things.
Warnings
- Don't replace your TV with time-consuming activities known as Twitter or Facebook.
- Remember to respect the wishes of other family members or roommates who want to watch TV. At the same time, you have the right to have your choice respected by the people you live with. Talk to them about any cohabitation problems.
- Some people will not understand your choice, especially if you are in a culture where spending hours in front of the television is normal. Stand up for your choice and invite others to follow you.
