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It sounds scary, right? Indeed it is! But it’s not just simply watching television can lead you to death. It is about binge-watching TV. One study1 back in 2014 found that 3 or more hours a day of TV is bad.
This is a cohort study looking at the link between sedentary behaviors and mortality. The researchers have confirmed that television viewing of 3 or more hours a day has a direct link with all-cause mortality.
On the other hand, sitting due to computer use and driving were not significantly linked with death rates.
Why Binge-Watching TV Causes Premature Death?
The unhealthy side effect of binge-watching television is not new. In fact, one study found that it can have a negative impact on male fertility. Moreover, longer screentime causes an increase in an epidemic of global blindness, as well as affects children’s behavior.
Generally, when you are binge-watching television, you immerse yourself in a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for long hours as in the case of watching TV is a good example of an inactive or sedentary lifestyle.
One earlier study2 linked sitting as a biomarker for poor metabolic health. And, that sitting for a long time correlates with increased risks of metabolic disorders like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, excessive sitting has also been blamed for the prevalence of many chronic health problems. In addition, many health experts now recognize the bad effect of excessive sitting. In fact, they consider sitting for a long time has similar consequences as cigarette smoking.
What Happens To Your Body When You Binge-Watch TV?
Today, it is very easy to binge-watch TV. With a wide range of choices of TV shows, it’s difficult to resist not to binge-watch especially that these shows have hooks making you crave for more.
So, what exactly happens inside your body when you binge-watch TV? Well, let’s watch.
Furthermore, the more sedentary you become, the slower your metabolism, as well.
Tips To Avoid Binge-Watching TV
While it is undeniably difficult to resist binge-watching the latest series, there are certain workarounds that keep you active while watching.
So, how do you do that? Here are some tips to avoid binge-watching TV;
- Instead of simply sitting, make a conscious effort to stand up and walk around every 15 minutes.
- While making that conscious effort to stand up, do some easy stretching exercises.
- Watching while doing chair dips at least 30 seconds with the most repetitions you can.
- Doing squats is another doable exercise while watching TV.
- During breaks or advertisements, make this as an opportunity to a few push-up repetitions.
- If you have a bar or door jam near you where you can do pull or chin up, do it during breaks, too.
- Getting on a treadmill is another way to keep moving while watching TV.
If there is one thing you should absolutely avoid…that is binge-watching TV very late at night. Do not compromise your sleep with your favorite TV series. If you ignore that, it will eventually take a toll on your health.
Sleep deprivation causes a wide variety of unhealthy consequences. In fact, even depriving yourself of sleep with just one night can have an apparent side effect, particularly the skin.
Moreover, men who lack sleep are at high risk of developing prostate cancer. Make a conscious choice and put a limit on your television binge-watching for the sake of maintaining better health.
If you neglect it and any of the unhealthy consequences hit you, it may be too late.