BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Self Development Unhappy people watch more TV

There was an article on Yahoo News that said unhappy people watch TV 30% more than happy people.

Do you agree????

Researchers are not sure if they were unhappy before watching TV or TV led to unhappiness. Interesting . . .

I wonder if they mean simply unhappy or depressed?

I would be willing to agree with it. It's probably a vicious circle type thing.

People are unhappy, so they get caught up in tv shows as a means of escape - the fantasy world, living vicariously, etc.

But then as they watch this world, they realize that these things ARE fantasy - and missing from their life, so that makes them even more unhappy.

Vicious circle.

I watch a lot of TV, Because there is nothing else to do!
Can't really say its because i'm depressed because when i'm depressed yes i'm on the sofa watching tv but not paying attention to what is on. And being unhappy is to me the same as being depressed.
I'M just plain bored, so I watch TV

I'm always busy reading or doing activities in and around the house, socializing, etc. So I don't have time to watch TV, not that I miss anything. There is hardly anything worthwhile on anyway.

hello

yes thats correct. and its true that unhappy people watch more tv.

I think partially it might depend on what you watch on TV. I watch HGTV and shows to give me ideas, plus things like the Discovery channel. I don't watch violent or reality TV at all.

I also am usually doing something with my hands, like crocheting or something and that's relaxing for me.

We only watch TV though in the evenings, not all day by any means. I do think you need time for friends and family that doesn't include TV.

I think it's true that happy people probably watch less tV because they are doing other things like going out with friends or pursuing hobbies but I don't necessarily think it's watching TV that makes people unhappy.

I am very happy when I watch television. In fact, I am unhappy when I cannot watch it. lol.

I'm with you on this one Vance. I watch television and am not unhappy or depressed and my hubbie is an avid tv watcher and he most certainly is not an unhappy person. We have our shows we share in looking at together then he has his own and as someone else mentioned, there are a lot of good shows for women on "WE" channel and "Lifetime" and watching them is very entertaining and so is HGTV galore.

Unless you know the person individual, I think it is rather judgmental to think tv has to do with any particular way the person is feeling at the time. Life in general is full of disappointment and depression alone with all the drama that tv couldn't even match.

I know people that don't even have a tv and they can be the most pessimistic and rude people I've ever met.

There's always two sides to a plate....Happy holidays everyone.

BTW, cute doggie Sharon.

I read in Martin Seligman's book Authentic Happiness, that the average mood while watching sitcoms is mild depression. Something to think about.

I'm with Vance and Kimmie on this. Although we could all be so depressed we're in denial. LOL.

I think television has the capabilities to lift and to deflate. I find watching the news really makes me sad so I try to avoid it, other than the highlights.

I love television. I hate commercials. I love my PVR as it has cut down on my commercial viewing.

Cheers!

I love my old movies and my soaps and as Moe pointed out my DVR. LOL. I think the key is balance. A little TV, then gratifying work, then some excercize, time with the family, a little more TV etc.

I am unhappy and watch a lot of television but watching television is one of the rare thing that actually gives me happiness so for me it's not true.

Guess I must be deliriously happy, as I almost never watch television.