Every single hour of television watched after the age of 25 reduces the viewer’s life expectancy by 21.8 minutes.
By comparison, smoking a single cigarette reduces life expectancy by about 11 minutes, the authors said.
From this NYTimes story by Gretchen Reynolds.
I was wondering if television includes computer screens ?
ReplyDeleteGeneral sitting habits are also discussed in the article. From personal experience, I think that it does make a difference. After retirement, I have spent a lot of time with the computer or just reading. For the first time, I have blood pressure problems. After starting walking daily etc, it has improved a little. I am not sure how much is age related, I am 71 now.
ReplyDeleteNarimus: Yes, in fact computers are worse than television because their screens are closer, although in today's programming there's much more garish flicker on TV which offsets the damage a bit. At least the PC largely spares your ears! Also, while we usually blink normally when watching idiot TV, we blink much more rarely when watching what interests us. Get up and roam around for ten minutes every hour. Gaddeswarup: It's very hard to apportion blame to a lifetime of input into a complex system. Chances are you'd get BP issues even if you did not touch a computer. And provided you are also getting moderate exercise, reading from paper does not hurt anyone (except perhaps tire the eyes).
ReplyDeleteIt's not the years in your life that matter in the end, but the life in your years.
ReplyDeleteIf you need my advise on how to negate the effects of TV viewing on your life expectancy, just pour yourself a stiff drink, add a few ice cubes and kick back. Then, watch TV. You will live to be a hundred. And then some.
Peace!