Lets End the Tyranny of Television

The best decision I ever made in my life was to stop watching television, although I didn't know it at the time.

Many people, my previous self included, have the misconception that watching hours of television every week is relaxing to their system.  I know, I know; you get home after a long day at work or school and all you want to do is veg-out in front of the magical box in your living room.  But did you ever consider the following:

1. Television disturbs your slumber.  The physical act of watching an illuminating screen not only causes eye strain but can also stimulate excitatory neurons.  Since most people watch television before bed, this can affect sleep and cause more stress on the body since most of our healing happens when we're snoozing.

2. Television eats up your time. You may find that you are even more stressed from watching TV because you were unable to get all of the other things done in your life that needed to get done!  Most shows are an hour long and in that time, you could have whipped up a gourmet meal and given yourself a facial--think about it.

3. Television promotes a sedentary lifestyle. Unless you're only watching television at the gym, chances are you're sitting on your couch.  Since the average American watches 4 hours of TV per day, this can really add up in negative exercise.  If you really want to be amused, perhaps do as the French do and walk to a cafe.  You can watch the people stroll by as you relax and drink a warm beverage.

4. Television retards your social skills and kills your imagination. The most fascinating people I know do not own televisions.  These are the people that are telling me about the new art exhibit, the new restaurant, their recent travels, the new fitness craze etc.  Lets shift entertainment to be something to enjoy in the company of others as this will help you become more socially rounded.  If you really must be alone, may I suggest a book? It will help foster your imagination, expand your vocabulary and transport you from the everyday stresses.


Have a gloriously TV-free day!

A Lover of Love

"Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with everything they have"

Quote sound familiar? For most people, this quote is a fact that sums up their heartaches and leaves them feeling helpless and defeated.  A few years ago, I came across a book called The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  Used correctly, it has the potential to change this quote from fact into fiction.

Chapman wrote the book on his theory that everyone expresses and recognizes love differently.  For example, you can think that love is someone tidying the house for you or grabbing you a cup of coffee (these are acts of service).  However, I could experience love as someone telling me how much they love me and want to spend the rest of their life with me (these are words of affirmation).  Often, how we feel love will be how we lavish love on someone else.  So, I will be telling you how much I want to be with you and you will be buying me coffee and taking out the trash but we will both feel unloved.  Why? Because we do not speak the same love language!

In order to ensure your partner feels love, you must discover their particular love language and then practice it.  When they feel loved, they will (in theory) also want to express love to you in your own love language, so you can feel love too! You can find out your love language from taking the quiz by clicking here.

If, however, you have been making the effort to show your partner love and they do not return it, you may have to step back and re-evaluate the relationship.  After all, if someone is not willing to make the effort to return your love, do they really want to be with you?

Have a love-filled day!