New Study on Happiness and Watching TV

By Dale Fletcher|

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Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television. This new study, conducted at the University of Maryland, found that unhappy people watched TV more and happy people watched it less.

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The researchers could not tell whether unhappy people watch more television or whether being glued to the set is what makes people unhappy. According to the study's findings, unhappy people watch an estimated 20 percent more television than very happy people, after taking into account their education, income, age and marital status - as well as other demographic predictors of both viewing and happiness.

I have a strong hunch that unhappy people just watch more TV. Because they are unhappy and do not have joy in their life, they watch more TV as a means of entertainment and to escape from their real life which is not full of rich relationships with other people and with God.

Here are a few truths from scripture on happiness and joy:

"Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly." Proverbs 3:18

"I will be filled with joy because of you.I will sing praises to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:2

"The Lord is my strength and shield.I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7

"Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8

Scripture tells us that being happy and joyful stems from the wisdom of God and from being in relationship with Him.

Are you unhappy or do you lack true inner joy or are you experiencing the contentment and resulting life full of joy that flows from a rich relationship with God? If the latter is the case, my hunch is that you don't watch as much TV as the unhappy people do.

What do you think?

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Dale Fletcher is the founder of Faith and Health Connection. A speaker and wellness coach who lives in Charlotte, NC, Dale conducts workshops and retreats on personal wellness/wholeness and the link between faith and health. He is a member of the Christian Medical Association, the Society for Spirituality, Theology & Health and the Christian Coaches Network. Connect with Dale at Faith and Health Connection.

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Coach Fletch »

Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:54 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I often use the fruits of the spirit as a barometer of someone's emotional as well as spiritual health. In the case of watching excessive TV, what might it say about one who is not able to control the amount of time they spend watching TV, or playing video games for that matter?

Part of it is initially realizing that the excessive TV watching may stem from being unhappy deep down... and trying to fill that unhappiness with something external.

As the scriptures in the article speak to, God wants us to turn to Him to fill that deep need.... and as we spend more and more time with Him, we will become joyful.
jbforgy1 »

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:38 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

One of my favorite high school teachers warned us not to become spectators. He talked about how he worked two jobs so his daughter could get a college education. Watching too much TV and many other activities are forms of what he called "spectatoritis". I found myself watching too many baseball games on TV a few years ago and I unplugged it. I did not plug it in again. This was a good decision for me.

How much is too much? Compare your spectating time with the time you spend in prayer, studying the Bible, serving others,reading good books and enjoying interaction with others to help you evaluate whether it is too much. *Should you spend less time releasing tension and more time achieving meaningful goals?*

Of course you can use the TV--or the computer--as a way to educate yourself or stay informed. Let us pray that God will help us to spend our time wisely.If you think you are doing that, maybe you will feel happier! :-D

Ephesians 5.15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. (NRSV)

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