It seems like this is a growing epidemic. Way too many people are sitting on their couches, watching television and consuming fatty foods. Many of these folks don't seem to be getting much exercise and those waistlines are continuously expanding. I understand that many people work hard at their jobs all day long, and want to come home and relax in front of the television. There are also those who have no work, and they sit in front of the television all day long. It's often difficult to tell if this is simply laziness or if it's an addiction, or even a bit of both. What's your take on this situation?
I think that watching television all day, everyday can be called an addiction. And I do agree, that there are people who simply want to relax after a day of work and there are also people who do nothing all day but watch television. To some extent, it might be a combination of laziness and addiction for the latter. I know a lot of relatives of my husband who do the same, even some kids are getting into that habit too. And it's very alarming to see them at such a young age succumb to television, gadgets and laziness. Gone are the days when playing outside, or even bonding outside are very popular. Now, gadgets and television take the place of such activities. It's fine if it's done in moderation wherein there is still a physical activity that an individual does. But if done in excess, it can be dangerous for one's overall health and well being.
I think if it is above normal, it is an addiction already. Like if nothing is really to be watched and he or she is just there sitting in front of the television watching anything. There are also others who spend almost all time sitting playing video games or watching online videos.
If a person is always sitting and doing nothing and only watching the television the whole day and they are always lazy then there must be something wrong with that person. If a person had an inactive or sedentary lifestyle it is not good for their overall health. I know there are some form of recreational activities that a person can do other than this thing which can also makes them to be worthy person.
You've put forward some excellent points. I completely agree that those days when we used to play out in the open are long gone. Fortunately, I live in a leafy suburb outside of Johannesburg where kids still play outside. But I don't know how long this will last. Even here, smart phones and game consoles have become the main source of entertainment for many children.
I have found that nothing beats sitting on a couch and watching your favorite tv show while having snacks...it's really relaxing. Yet, as mentioned above, it's very dangerous for children's health and well being...
I'm really not sure that it's either. Personally, I don't believe laziness is nearly as common as people like to make it out to be. People with mental illnesses such as depression, for instance, may want with all their hearts to do chores, keep a clean house, run errands, and work hard, but still be unable to move, paralyzed by what is, essentially, a misery mental block. That's hard to explain to neurotypical people (those without illnesses), and so is often written off as "lazy." But lazy implies someone could do something and doesn't want to, where I believe many, many people in this corporate industrialized world DO want to do things, but cannot. Mental blocks are very real and very distressing, and nearly impossible to fight without support. I also don't know that it's an addiction, any more than someone's addicted to breathing. Resting and numbing the mind with calming TV or other quiet, non-movement-oriented hobbies is a natural response to a harrowing work world, and is the only thing some people know to do to stay alive. It makes time go by and life continue, even when it feels like it's not worth it. That's not necessarily an addiction, so much as a survival tactic.
The rising number of couch potatoes across the world has nothing to do with addiction. I can say that for sure. This lifestyle epidemic can be attributed to the type of culture prevalent in our world today. In this age of technology, there's a lot of spoonfeeding. Everything's basically defined by convenience - a situation that obviously breeds more couch potatoes.
I think it does cause health problems and laziness. Eating fatty foods and watching TV all day long can't be good for your health. There's nothing wrong with watching TV or eating fatty foods in moderation. When all you do is go to work then come home and plop in front of the TV your following a routine like a factory animal or something. I try to do more productive things every now and then and switch it up. I think being a couch potato is more like a force of habit.
I am not sure that there is an 'addiction' to watching television, however I do believe that there are many people who watch way too much television. Perhaps if these couch potatoes had better things to do with their time (a job, a hobby, a volunteering position, etc.), maybe they would not watch as much television. I sometimes go through spurts where I will binge-watch a series on Netflix. However, I fully realize that when the television is turned off I get much more accomplished throughout my day than when it is turned on. For this reason, I try not to sit on the couch until all or most of the things I need to get done for the day (work, dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc) are finished.
Can you actually be addicted to doing nothing? It's more of a habit rather than an addiction, or a lifestyle (which evolves from laziness). But it can be changed. Once they get moving and start to get a grip of it, they will eventually like it and start exercising again. Nutritional choices/habits cannot be changed that easily, though.
Yes, as a couch potato myself, I would say that it is primarily laziness...but being addicted to your comfort is easy to do. I mean we are conditioned to seek pleasure and avoid pain, and being a couch potato is pleasant at least in the short terms even if it has unpleasant side effects later on. It is all part of modeling, conditioning and lifestyle...and maybe addiction too.
I agree that doing nothing but watching TV all day is no good for the body. This is especially true when all you do is sit at work. Atleast in school you have recess, gym, and passing periods to look forward to. If you are so addicted to sitting on that chair or couch, why not try some chair exercises. There should be plenty of YouTube videos to demonstrate some chair exercises.
Personally I think this is just laziness. There are so many other healthy options rather than fast food. Cooking and pre-packaging food of your own is not a difficult task, nor is choosing fruits, meats or veggies at a convenience store. People have to want to change to be able to and America is not helping by selling those things either.
I have mixed feelings about these people. From a point of view, the more they stay on a couch doing nothing, the less competition I have, which is better for me, but on the other hand, it makes me sad to see so many people wasting their lives watching 24/24 TV series they learn nothing from. Honestly. It's not an addiction, it's living an umotivated/depressed life. Sometimes they need help, but no help will ever come unless they choose to act for themselves.
Actually, I consider myself one of those people. It's just relaxing to be finally taking a break of your day that you actually forget of what that habit is causing to your body. But I guess that it's fine while if I'm conscious of what that habit it's causing me and that I need to change it.
This is a serious problem among many nations. The USA being the leader in this issue. I am not sure a simple reason could be drawn but it is surely an influence from some outer source. I think that commercials are taking a toll and vast majority of people that are not being able to understand these things are not so good for them are not helping either. Governments should act in order to open the eyes of their citizens. Some free educational classes should be given from time to time. Anything that could help with these slow killer addiction. It looks like a minor thing in comparison to stronger addictions but it is not minor at all.
For me, laziness is just the part where you don't feel like doing something and adddiction is when you forgo other things or it's all that you do 24/7 and it disrupts your former routine. So with that said, I think if the person still has a social life and he doesn't neglect his duties and responsiblities while watching tv then I think that it's still not an addicition and just plain laziness.
Well, if you are working all day, what is so bad about taking some time to relax at the end of the day? Not everyone has the energy to jog 3 miles or workout at the end of the day, we all vary in our energy levels, and for some,..myself included working is very stressful and taxing. Although, I admit...most couch poatoe syndrome comes from not wanting to do anything else, well I should say...nothing I have the cash to do!