Watching TV, freezing for a long time in a sitting position in front of the screen has a bad effect on our body. Watching TV causes skeletal defects to develop (and to aggravate those already existing), fatty tissue builds up, and muscles go limp. At the same time, watching TV is not relaxing at all - the brain is attacked by rapidly changing pictures and sounds that tire you. Can watching TV be he althier?
Watching TVis very popular in Poland. The Pole spends 3-4 hours a day in front of the TV. This is way too much. Television is not only time-consuming but also bad for your he alth. Many programs cause stress and tension. Some of them distort the image of the world, so it may seem to us that catastrophes, killings and rapes are more frequent than they really are. The result is an increase in the sense of danger and … higher blood pressure. What to do to minimize the damage?
Watching TV: how to sit in front of the TV?
Wrong sitting position may cause circulatory and digestive disorders, stress on the spine, and make it difficult to breathe properly. The back should be straight and in full contact with the backrest. You cannot sit on the edge of the seat (in this position your back is round and your chest is sunken), curl your legs or cross your legs. If your feet are not resting on the floor, you can straighten your legs and rest them on a low table or pouffe - this position promotes good blood circulation in the legs and prevents varicose veins.
Watching TV: what is the distance from the TV?
Modern LCD and plasma TVs make it possible to watch TV from a closer distance than in the case of traditional CRT receivers. However, you shouldn't overdo it. Too short a distance is not good for the eyes. The appropriate distance from the screen depends on the type of TV set - whether it is LCD or plasma, whether the image is broadcast in HD or standard definition (HD movies can be watched sitting twice as close to the receiver). As a general rule, the distance should not be less than twice (exactly 1.87) the width of the screen, but not more than five times it. So with a screen diagonal of 43 inches, it is best to sit at a distance of 2-5 mfrom the screen.
Watching TV: proper lighting
It is unhe althy for the eyesight to stare at the screen in the dark - the eyes get tired, stinging, watering. Adequate lighting is needed to soften the contrasts that form when watching TV in the dark. It is best to place the light source behind the TV, not above or to the side. It is worth using LED strips that can be mounted behind or around the receiver. They can be cut with scissors and are easy to install - they are self-adhesive. Thanks to the dimmer, the light intensity is regulated. LED bulbs have many advantages: they consume less electricity than others, they are long-lasting, resistant to damage, and they do not heat up. In addition, they can be lit and extinguished often, because they do not consume much energy. Importantly, they do not emit UV radiation and do not contain harmful substances, e.g. mercury. You also need to remember to properly adjust the screen brightness and contrast.
Watching TV: exercise breaks
If you don't have enough time for regular physical activity, use the time spent in front of the TV to exercise. The viewing is not disturbed by pedaling on a stationary bike and exercising on a stepper. You can also do stretching exercises - an interesting program will distract you from the pain while stretching the muscles. Exercises in a sitting position are a good idea, such as twisting the torso, lifting weights, lifting straightened legs, tensing and relaxing muscles.
Watching TV: close your eyes to the commercials
Rest your eyes during commercial breaks. They are hurt by the tension that arises when we stare at one point for a long time. Cover them tightly with your hands so that no light reaches your eyes. Wait for the flashes to disappear and you will only see black. It is a good exercise to look alternately as far as possible to the right and left. You can also squeeze your eyelids for a moment or sway the eights at bay.
Watching TV: he althy snacks
Sitting in front of the TV is usually associated with immoderate gourmand - before you know it, a bag of crisps or a box of cookies disappears. Instead of clogging up with chips, crisps or crackers that are full of fat and s alt, eat he althy snacks. These include dried fruits: apricots (they contain huge amounts of beta-carotene), raisins (a source of iodine and phosphorus), figs (provide zinc), and dates (have anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties). It's a good idea to munch on nuts, seeds (pumpkin, sunflower) and almonds that provide omega-3 fatty acids. However, you must remember that dried fruit and nuts are very caloric. Less caloric snacks are fruit chips andvegetables.
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