TV is one of the most widely used forms of entertainment in society. It’s easy to switch on the TV and zone out. But, it’s also limiting.
With every episode of every show burning into your brain, you are missing out on other experiences and knowledge. There are many alternatives to watching TV, which provide an entertaining, low-cost way of learning new things.
Here are seven ways you can have fun instead of watching TV.
1. Go Outside and Play
If you turn off the TV, you might get tempted to turn on your computer or smartphone. Instead, get out of the house and play outside! Go for a walk in nature, take a bike ride, hike a trail, play with your dog, or lie in the grass and look at the clouds. There’s no shortage of amazing things to see in the world around you.
2. Play Casino Games Online
Playing casino games online is a great way to spend your free time while having fun and making some money at the same time. Of course, you can’t win all the time, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t play. It simply means that you should be ready to lose some money.
If you don’t know how to play, most sites such as the UK pay n play casinos offer tips and tricks on winning and giving bonuses to new players. It is a great way to increase your chances of winning without needing any previous experience!
3. Take a Class
If you want to pick up a new skill or hobby but not sure where to start, a class is a great way to learn the basics.
Classes are also a good way to meet people who share your interests. If you haven’t been in school for a while, finding a class can feel intimidating. But there are plenty of places that offer beginner-level classes in all subjects: adult education programs at community colleges, cooking schools, and artist’s studios are all good places to start looking.
4. Join a Club
Whether it’s a book club or a frisbee golf club, there’s probably some group that interests you near where you live. There are clubs for people who love bird-watching, playing bridge, or discussing philosophy.
You can even join a club for people who love watching TV! They mostly have meetups and movie nights for members, which is another way to say “watch more TV.” But at least you get to be around other people! And if there isn’t one near you, consider starting your club in your community.
5. Talk to a Friend
Going out to dinner and having an actual conversation with another person is one of the best ways to spend an evening without watching television. And phone calls are just as good — even better when using video chat!
It can be difficult to hold a conversation with someone you might not remember if it weren’t for Facebook. If this is the case, consider using your dinner date to discuss current events, or find out what’s been happening in each other’s lives lately.
6. Write in Your Journal
Starting a journal is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It allows you to track your thoughts and emotions over time. It will enable you to see where you have been and look forward to where you are going. It is also therapeutic because it gives you an outlet for your feelings.
If starting a journal seems overwhelming, try writing down just one sentence each day about what happened and read more other journals to see the styles. It will get you into writing and help it become a regular habit. Then, once it has become a habit, start expanding your entries by answering some questions or writing about different parts of your day.
7. Cook a New Recipe
There are plenty of ways to relax without watching TV. Pull out a cookbook or consult a recipe website and try your hand at making something new.
There are simple recipes that you can make in less than an hour. If you’re worried about getting started, look for “cooking 101” guides online. They’ll tell you what equipment and ingredients you need, how to prepare, and what mistakes to avoid when cooking.
Take Away
TV is a great way to de-stress after a rough day at work. But TV can make you unhealthy, unproductive, and difficult to interact with others. If you have trouble cutting back on your TV time, try any of these fun things instead!
