Although we usually view television watching as relaxing, it usually winds up stressing us out even more. And there are times when you just can’t avoid watching telly because someone else in the household has turned the set on (and that someone tends to own the house).
In addition to not watching very action-filled or upsetting television right before going to sleep, you can also diffuse television’s grip on your nerves by talking back to the television.
I thought everybody did this, until I had my fist roommate in college, who soon bolted after the semester was over. She clearly did not appreciate the finer points of stress management advice that I was offering freely.
The Television Will Not Answer Back
Unless you are reciting the audience participation questions to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the television will not respond to your comments. This might seem like a blatantly obvious statement, but I do have a point by mentioning it. It’s because everyone else in the room will remind you of this fact if they have never lived with someone who talks back to the TV before.
Having the TV talk back to you is not the point. The point is to get everyone else in the room laughing and then the bad news or ridiculous commercial (or whatever) is diffused. Life can go on, albeit a bit less tense.
Pick Your Comments Carefully
You will know when it’s appropriate to talk back to the TV if there is someone else in the room watching. Any scene where the murderer is revealed is right out. Breaking international news is also right out. Talking over a punch line of a comedian is also a no-no. You will learn really fast when to time your comments accordingly. It’s the same skills as learning to time conversation with a person accordingly.
The Best Part
The best part about regularly talking back to the television is that you feel you have more control over your life. Television is a very passive medium — you just look at whatever it has to offer. If it lies to you or says something outrageous, you don’t have to sit there quietly (like you have to in school or at work). You can tell it where to go and what to do while going there. And, since you’re telling off an appliance, no one’s feelings are hurt. And you get a good laugh.
Hope this helps.
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Write a Comment»I can see where real sports enthusiast get real mad at the tv, and get way over stressed over a game. Thankfully I am one of those people who have not let the tv get the best of me
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[...] in the same way that sometimes you have to tense up in order to relax. You could also just talk back to the TV with or without swearing. Keep your ranting down to under five minutes, or your blood [...]