Ever wondered how much TV the average American watches in a given day? According to an article published on techcrunch.com, one report had the answer. The research found the average American spent nearly six hours on video, which included watching TV, videos on a computer or digital devices, such as a smartphone or tablet.
“The nearly six hours of video (5:57) of video viewed daily represents an 11-minute increase in video consumption over the prior quarter, with 6 of those 11 minutes from TV-connected devices,” according to Sarah Perez, the author of the article.
TV can be a great way to settle down, relax, and tune out, but is it the best use of your time? We did some digging and found that there are actually some great advantages to reducing your screen time, which we discuss in more detail below.
Benefits of Reducing Screen Time
TV can be SO addicting, especially when you find a series on Netflix that you love. You can plan to watch one show before bed on a Sunday night and before you know it, it’s 2:00 AM and you’ve watched five episodes and you have to get up at 6:00 AM to get ready for work! If you intentionally cut back on your daily screen time, your life may change in many aspects. Let’s count some of the ways:
- If you swap your screen time with a one-hour workout at the gym, you could lose weight and boost your self-confidence.
- You could lose weight because you stop the mindless eating that occurs when you sit in front of the tube.
- You could lose weight because you stop eating late at night while watching TV.
- If you swap out TV with reading books about finances, self-help, relationships, or your career, you may find yourself growing and improving and your whole quality of life may improve.
- If you replace watching TV with cooking, family dinners at the table, or simply face-to-face conversations with your friends and family, you may enjoy deeper relationships.
- If you take a walk with your dog instead of watching TV, you both may enjoy more energy and better fitness.
- If you cancel your cable subscription, you can save cold hard cash – perhaps hundreds, if not thousands of dollars annually.
- By watching less TV, you’ll cut down on your energy bills.
- If you switch screen time with in-person or online classes that will enhance your job skills, you’ll become a more valuable worker and you may move up at work.
- You can get more sleep! Instead of staying up late to watch that show you’re hooked on, you can go to bed at a decent hour so you get a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Your body and mind will thank you!
Want to learn more? We recommend this Fast Company article, “How Giving Up TV For a Month Changed My Brain And My Life.”