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Dr. Mercola
November 18 2008

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Watching TV Might Make You Unhappy

A new study by sociologists at the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as "very happy" spend more time reading and socializing.

Analyzing 30-years’ worth of national data from time use studies and a continuing series of social attitude surveys, the Maryland researchers report that spending time watching television may contribute to viewers' happiness in the moment, with less positive effects in the long run.

According to the study's findings, unhappy people watch an estimated 20 percent more television than very happy people.


Sources:

  Slashdot November 15, 2008

  University of Maryland Newsdesk November 14, 2008




 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (4)
 
 
Posted On Nov 18, 2008
Whether or not watching TV makes one unhappy,I know I'm much happier WITHOUT watching TV. A television set can be a big deterrent to many things.Sometimes just sitting and talking to each other is more productive and alot more entertaining!!

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4Hand Healthy
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Posted On May 20, 2009

It most of the time makes one person unhappy if he is watching the opposite of his elevated mood - meaning those series of episodes which contradict what he often desires to watch.

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Posted On Nov 19, 2008
I agree with you, 4Hand. I have seen people who were unhappy and depressed about various things in life who spent a great deal of time in front of the tube. It seems they preferred checking out that way rather than dealing with whatever caused their unhappiness. I have found it all too easy myself to shift into the completely passive mode, which is all TV requires. I may have thought some programs to be enjoyable or entertaining, but usually I regretted wasting my time. I watch very little nowadays.

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EddieSong
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Posted On Nov 19, 2008
Watching TV is an easy way to distract yourself from any part of your life your behaving like a loser in.

I've known many a people who used all the time they didn't have to work or be out a social activity to watch TV.

And every one of them had problems with their finances or their weight.

But rather than spend the extra time studying or exercising, they'd zone out in front of the tube and then whine to me about their problems whenever I talked to them.

It's soooo easy to kill an evening watching TV.  Especially if your life isn't going the way you'd like it. 

Just remember this quote from my mentor Jim Rohn

Rich people have big libraries.  Poor people have big TV's

Use the TV as a reward for handling extra credit activities besides going to work.  Studying, working out, you know stuff that will pay off big time in the future.  You'll feel better about yourself when you do.

Note Taking Nerd Numba 2
http://www.mynotetakingnerd.wordpress.com

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