After a tough day in class, as a student, you’ll be forgiven for feeling exhausted. There are many ways to relax, but is watching TV a good way to do so? Well, that’s the question we’ll be answering in this article. So whether you’re a student or a concerned parent, you’ll want to read this article until the end to learn whether watching TV is a good way to rest your brain after college classes.
6 Reasons Why Watching TV Is Not A Good Way To Rest as a Student
Most college students spend between 10 and 15 hours a week in class. To make the most of these sessions, a student must pay attention throughout. These periods of long concentration often take a lot of mental strength. So, it’s common for students to feel exhausted despite not exerting any physical energy. Watching TV is a common way to relax. However, parents and students have often wondered whether this is a good pastime. Well, the simple answer is no, but for a more comprehensive analysis, here are 6 reasons highlighting what watching too much TV can bring:
- It’s addictive and time-consuming
- It can cause eye strain
- May reduce concentration
- The sense of relaxation is temporary
- Less time to rest
- It can be physically draining
1. It can be addictive and time-consuming
There are so many TV shows today that you won’t find it difficult to find an interesting one. Whether you like anime, sitcoms, or movies, there is something for everyone and every mood. However, this abundance of entertaining shows can be addictive for people, especially students. There have been many instances where students can be seen watching their favorite show, even in class. As you might imagine, this addiction isn’t always easy to overcome. Time is your greatest asset as a student, but it can slip away from you when not treated with respect. If you end up being addicted to watching TV, you will have less time to study, which will end up making you more stressed.
2. It can cause eye strain
If you’re watching a TV show on your phone or laptop, you might have noticed there are times just looking away from the screen for a moment gives you a headache. This is because our eyes get strained over time due to the blue light that comes from most screens and the muscle strain the iris of our eyes suffer from watching TV shows in a dark environment. When focusing on a small object, such as the TV, your iris will contract. However, when trying to see in a dark place, your iris will expand to let more light in. This eye strain can make it difficult to read and even lead to using glasses.
3. May reduce concentration
TV shows today are designed to wow and impress you in as little time as possible. For instance, you might tell yourself that you only want to watch TV for an hour but then find yourself sitting for 3 hours watching one episode of a TV show after the other. When your brain gets used to this constant stimulation, it might become more difficult for you to maintain concentration for long periods. This is a problem because studying requires long periods of concentration. If you continuously rely on watching TV as a means to relax, your academic performance will likely suffer. Seeing as graduating from college will require you to fulfil certain academic requirements, you don’t want to have reduced concentration as a problem.
4. The sense of relaxation is temporary
Watching TV is fun, but the feeling of relaxation doesn’t last for long. After you’re done, whatever mental strain you feel will be back. This is because TV is mainly a distraction. It’s a tool used to pass the time and doesn’t actually do anything to relax your mind permanently. If you’re looking for a good way to rest your brain after class, you could decide to go for a walk. If college essays are holding you back from doing such activities, consider reading TrustedEssayReviews for an unbiased analysis of the best and worst online writing companies. This way, you can find academic help and free some time to relax after class.
5. Less time to rest
It’s common knowledge that humans need to rest, and after an exhausting day in class, watching TV will only add to your problems. The reason is that unless you’re only going to spend 30 minutes or less on it, watching TV will take at least an hour or more of your time. Now, most students watch entertainment on their phones and laptops during the late hours of the day. When this becomes a routine, it can lead to difficulty sleeping, thus, less quality rest overall. If you want to be up and active in class, then you should prioritize sleep. This will make it easier for you to focus on class and have more energy afterwards.
6. It can be physically draining
Sitting on even the most comfortable couch for long hours can lead to back aches and other physical pains. You might have your neck at an uncomfortable angle which causes neck pains and even headaches that eventually lead to difficulty sleeping or studying. While watching TV, you might not notice any of this, but after you’re done, you might find it difficult to continue with your day.
Conclusion
TV is great for watching shows with the family or by yourself. You can learn about world events, be entertained, and pass the time. However, when it comes to being a tool for relaxation, there are some side effects that come with watching TV for too long. It can be physically draining, cause insomnia, and even lead to poor academic performance. So, the next time you want to watch TV to relax your brain, consider other healthy options like taking a walk or a nap.
