Over the last few years, I have read several books on health-related subjects. On more than one occasion, I read about the effects of the news media on our lives. A few months ago I decided to stop watching TV for 30 days. I wanted to see what effect it had on my life.

I used to be an avid TV watcher. On average watching 3 – 4 hours of TV a night. My favorite shows were 24 and Prison Break. I also watched the news at least twice a day. I thought after a few days that I would miss it. There were a few times I caught myself picking up the remote out of habit, but  Instead of turning on the TV, I used it to turn on the radio.

People asked me, "How do you keep up with what’s going on in the world?"  My response was, "I really don’t need to know".  What I realized was that we are the ones encouraging the news services and newspapers to write about all the negativity in the world.  If we watch it, we are asking for it.

The 30 days flew by and the only thing I missed about TV was sports. The time I used to spend hypnotized by the TV, I now spend playing with my son, listening to music or working on the Internet. I began to feel better and realized that we don’t miss negativity , only positive things.  The sporting events I like to watch are not negative. I watch a little TV now and then, but I shy away from the news and high tension/ drama shows. Try giving up the TV for a week or two and see how you feel. I bet you will be a happier person!