Addictions - Television

Writen by Michael Russell

Television addicts are a relatively new breed, especially since television itself has only been around for about 50 years, nowhere near as long as alcohol, tobacco and drugs. But make no mistake about it, television addiction is quite real and most people don’t even know that they are addicted to it.

Television is different from most other addictions in that it mostly stems from something lacking in the person’s life rather than from an addictive personality.

The sad truth is, many people have what most of us consider empty lives. They get up, go to work, come home and go to sleep. Maybe the weekends are a little different in that they might go for a drive, do some shopping or maybe even take in a movie. But the truth is, many people’s lives are quite routine and quite boring. When they walk through the door at 6 pm, or whenever it is they arrive from the office, the first thing they do is turn on the television. This is especially true if the person lives alone. But the reasons why may surprise you.

It’s not that they can’t wait to watch their favorite program, as television addicts don’t have a favorite program, it’s that they can’t stand the deafening silence. Walking into that empty house or apartment and hearing absolutely nothing can just about drive the television addict mad. So the first thing that goes on is the TV, if for no other reason than to kill the silence. That’s how television addiction usually starts. But it’s not how it ends.

The TV addict begins to look forward to each hour as there is certain to be a show on that he or she enjoys. Two shows on at the same time? No problem with digital cable and TIVO where you can record a number of things at one time and watch them later on. With all the different forms or entertainment on the tube, a TV addict can spend hours on end watching without even working up a sweat.

The real problems begin when the television addict tries to turn off the tube to go to bed. They can’t. There’s always one more show to watch. There’s always one more stupid commercial to laugh at. And nowadays, with cable, TV goes on all night as opposed to the old days when stations actually went off the air after a certain hour with their now long forgotten “This now ends the broadcast day of the National Broadcasting Company” that you’d have to be at least in your 40s to remember. Today, TV is a 24/7 business.

Sadly, television addicts spend almost all their time in front of the tube other than when they have to go to work, do the shopping or whatever else needs to be done that will take them away from their addiction. And if you think these people aren’t really addicted, just try taking their television away from them for a day. It is not a pretty sight.

Television addiction is serious. Unfortunately there is very little help for the addict as it is not really considered a serious problem by professionals in general.

At least not yet.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Addictions

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Anger Management: 6 Tips for Facing Provocation Without Losing Your Cool

Writen by Julie Fleming Brown

We’re often faced with statements, actions, arguments, behavior, etc. that is galling in the extreme. Whether it’s road rage, an annoying co-worker, or a whiny teenager, it’s an unfortunate but safe bet that you’ll feel angry several times a week. So how can you handle it when faced with provocation that would make the Buddha quiver with rage?

1. Keep your attention on the motivation behind the provocation. Is the person who’s enraging you doing it intentionally, or is it a by-product of words or behavior that he likely thinks perfectly appropriate? If it’s the former, don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he succeeded. If it’s the latter, consider whether displaying annoyance would stop the behavior or simply let your opponent know that he’s found a soft spot.

2. Breathe. This is great advice for just about any situation, but it’s especially good for dealing with anger. You can react,, which implies knee-jerk emotional feedback made without any reflection, or you can respond, which implies feedback that follows a pause and analysis/reflection to determine the best way to address the provocation. It’s far better to respond than to react. There’s no reason why you can’t fall silent for a few seconds (which may feel interminable to you and your opponent) while you work through your options.

3. Speak softly. Most of us tend to raise our voices when we speak in anger. Therefore, it’s disarming to do the opposite and to speak more quietly. The effect is to appear reasonable and controlled (especially helpful if your opponent is ranting and raving and appearing to be out of control) and to force your opponent to listen carefully to hear what you have to say. In Japanese culture, when two parties are arguing, the one who raises her voice first loses. It’s a difficult tactic for many of us to master, but if you can speak softly in the face of provocation, you will stand a much better chance of controlling your anger.

4. Vent. Express your anger in some forum that poses no risk of exposing it. Writing can be helpful, but especially if you write an angry response to an email, be sure that you don’t accidentally send it!

5. Exercise. That’s physical venting. When feasible, it’s a great idea to get up and take a walk instead of marinating in a situation that makes you angry.

6. Selective release of anger. Sometimes, it’s absolutely appropriate to express your anger at the person whose behavior has caused it. But consider the consequences of such an expression. Will you disrupt a relationship? Do you stand to lose ground? Will your expressed anger cause the person to react in a way that will cause you even more trouble? And when you do choose to display anger, consider doing so through your words only but continuing to speak in a low, even tone of voice. That will reinforce the gravity of your words.

And, despite our best efforts at these tactics, sometimes we all lose our tempers. Especially in time of frustration and stress, it’s easy to let it slip. When that happens, don’t be afraid to apologize and admit to being human.

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How to Use the Power of Visualization to Control and Conquer Anger

Writen by Pradeep Agarwal

Visualization is not idle wishing or daydreaming. It is a practical method to discover and achieve all you want from life. Visualization trains your mind to focus on what you truly want, and helps in marshalling all your available resources, which may be used for the accomplishment of your objective.

This article explores and explains the Power of Visualization and suggests a practical technique to overcome anger and reinforces the belief and confidence in us that any problem of any size or magnitude can be conquered.

We all get angry sometimes due to something or the other. Most of the time we become victims of our own anger. Our anger leads us to say or do something that we repent later. It causes harm to us as well as to others to whom we direct our anger.

The following visual sequence will not only control your anger, but also motivate you to turn things around.

Picture your anger as a ball of fire next time when you are angry. The angrier you are, the bigger is the ball of fire. It can be as big as football or even the size of a mountain. Picture the ball of fire as big as your anger.

Notice the distance of the ball of fire from you. If it is too closer to you, put it away at a safer distance. Now, inspect the ball of fire carefully. Do you see the flames dancing around it? What is the color of the flame? Do you feel the heat of your anger? Does it make you sweat?

Anger makes us feel helpless over a situation. You feel helpless because all your power becomes centered around your anger. You feel it like a fiery lump, burning you head and heart. The idea is to picture this lump, and take back the power that it has taken from you.

Command the ball of fire to return back all the power it has taken from you. If you get no response, then demand from it. You might see a ball of pure gold smaller than the ball of fire emerge from the flames. Command it to go to either your head or your heart.

Do you feel the power in your heart? Do you feel the power return back to your head? Good! Sometimes, just separating the power from your anger makes the flames of anger die.

But, if there is any flame left in the ball of fire, roll it out mentally to a large reservoir of water. It may take a lake. Or it might even be an ocean.

Now, push the angry ball of fire into the water. Do you hear the hiss of the ball of fire when it meets water? See the white cloud of steam that arises. Slowly, the hissing sound subsides. The steam disappears. The angry ball of fire disappears completely. You have drowned your anger. And you have done it without harming yourself or others.

On the other hand, you have taken the power away from your anger and kept it with you. You are now POWERFUL.

In fact you are VERY VERY POWERFUL. Use your Power to your advantage.

Pradeep Aggarwal is a renowned Hypnosis & NLP guru with career spanning two and half decades He is also a much sought after speaker and peak performance consultant for Sport Teams and organizations. Visit Hypnosis Global for free 6 part mini course to learn Self Hypnosis and Personal Transformation.

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