Top 10 Things to Do Instead of Watching TV

It’s that time of year: the temperature starts to cool, leaves change color, and we settle into the fall routine. All your favorite TV shows are starting back up, but you've been active all summer. Don't fall into a bad TV habit and lose that momentum! Here are 10 things to do instead of watching TV.

All summer long you have been active and enjoyed the great outdoors. Now that the temps and the humidity have both dropped, you can enjoy them even more. Head outside for a bike ride or a nature walk. You can go for a hike and enjoy the changing leaves. Take time to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor surroundings.

There are many various charities and organizations in need of volunteers. Find a cause that is near and dear to your heart, and get involved. You can find volunteer opportunities nearly anywhere including nursing homes, homeless shelters, animal shelters, food pantries, parks and environmental stewardship organizations, or recreational sports leagues.

When our lives are hectic and busy, it is nice to unplug and escape from the electronics we are constantly surrounded by. Dust off your favorite board game, or gather the family to play cards. You can have great fun, and make priceless family memories.

Reading a book can help you to relax, use your imagination, or learn techniques to improve various areas of your life. Whether you prefer fiction or nonfiction, a good book can help you to de-stress, and keep your brain active.

Have you always wanted to try knitting? Maybe you want to learn how to play an instrument, but don’t feel like you have the time to commit to it. Whatever you have been putting off trying, take advantage of the time you would normally spend watching television to try a new hobby. You may find a new activity that you love, and make new friends in the process.

Do you have friends that you have been wanting to spend more time with, but you have a hard time fitting it into your busy schedule? Set a time to meet them at a local coffee shop, or enjoy dinner at a favorite restaurant. You could even have them over to your home to enjoy a few hours together.

If you want to get ahead in your career (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?) then a career mentor can help you. They can teach you new skills or help you develop new connections within your industry. This can often lead to promotions or new job opportunities in the future.

You know that decluttering project that you have been wanting to tackle for months, but haven’t found the time to do it? Break it up into small chunks and tackle a little bit each day instead of watching television. A cleaner, well-organized space will help relieve stress in your life, and can be accomplished in just an hour a day.

If you have been wanting to improve your skills in the kitchen, try taking a cooking class. You can learn the proper way to use various knives, how to efficiently prep various ingredients, and be exposed to new recipes you may not have tried otherwise.

Setting aside a time for spiritual and emotional growth can have a worthwhile impact on our overall stress levels. Regardless of your religious inclinations, meditation or devotional study can help to reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well being.

If you must watch TV, try to keep active while doing it. Bodyweight exercises are a fantastic way to challenge your body even while viewing TV. You can even find various workouts online that tie into the theme of your favorite shows!

Don’t let a television viewing habit suck up all your free time. Find productive alternatives to improve your life and your health instead of becoming a couch potato once the fall program schedule starts. Keep your summer momentum going, and continue working on your overall health and wellness.