Why You Should Turn Off Your TV Tonight

Researchers discovered a link between TV-watching and cognitive decline.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind The Case for Turning Off the TV   Work, eat, maybe exercise, and then collapse on the couch to watch TV until it's time for bed. It's a pattern that many Americans fall into every day.   While there's nothing inherently wrong with watching your favorite TV shows, researchers across three studies have discovered a potential link between moderate or high levels of TV-watching and cognitive decline.   Further, we know that sedentary behavior can also affect our physical health, resulting in poor sleep, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and even early death.     We become what we feed ourselves. If we feed ourselves exciting, interesting curiosity, then the brain tunes itself to be adventurous and open to possibilities." — JILL BOLTE TAYLOR, PH.D. What This Means For You Unable to go anywhere or do much, many of us defaulted to the couch during the height of the pandemic. Don't beat yourself up about an increase in screen time, but do make a concerted effort to stimulate your brain in other ways.   Prioritize activities that challenge your brain—like revisiting a familiar hobby, learning new recipes, signing up for a puzzle subscription box, spending time outdoors, and having engaging conversations with others.   And if you do turn on the TV? Try to limit your time and opt for a documentary or educational YouTube video.    On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us The Wellness & Wanderlust podcast, hosted by Valerie Moses, aims to demystify wellness trends in every episode to help us lead more meaningful, purpose-driven lives. Expert guests are invited each week to discuss topics such as self-limiting beliefs, creating healthy habits that stick, and more. Products to Help You Feel Your Best If you're keen on finding a new way to unwind, consider a subscription to Calmbox. This monthly service delivers a mindful curation of six to eight items that will help you relax. Your box may include books, personal care items, snacks, and motivational reminders. A portion of the proceeds is donated to charity. Engage your brain with an old-fashioned puzzle. Try Galiston's 1000-piece, ultra-colorful puzzle featuring people reading books, or consider a major challenge via ROKR's 3D Wooden Puzzle Mechanical Music Box. Read These Next Why Watching the News Can Be Bad for Your Mental Health READ NOW The Symptoms and Risks of Television Addiction READ NOW Top 10 Reasons to Turn Off Your TV READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy