How to Quit Watching TV: Overcome Your Addiction

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Habit-changing tricks to overcome your TV and streaming addiction

Co-authored by Diane Martinez

Last Updated: July 28, 2024

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Decreasing Over Time

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Quitting Cold Turkey

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Replacing with Other Activities

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

According to some studies, the average American watches almost five hours of TV per day. That is equivalent to 35 hours per week and almost two months per year. Although some people use television and streaming channels to relax, it can easily become a time suck and an addiction. In order to quit watching TV, you should slowly decrease the amount of TV you watch over time, cut your TV watching completely, or replace the time you spend watching TV with other activities.

Things You Should Know

Reduce the number of hours you watch TV gradually to ease your transition.
Cancel subscriptions to streaming services to make binge-watching less tempting.
Replace your TV-watching time with new hobbies and healthy activities.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Decreasing Over Time

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1
Record how much time you spend watching TV. Bringing attention to your habit, without pressuring yourself to get rid of it, can help you realize how much time you actually waste watching TV. In fact, the very act of recording how much time you spend watching TV (and what you watch) will likely reduce your habit.^{[1]
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- As you write down, "12:30am - Watching a rerun of Friends that I've seen twice already," you might realize how much of a waste of time it is, and shut off the television.
2
Reduce the number of hours you watch TV gradually. Begin by not watching TV for one day each week. Alternatively, you could try decreasing the number of hours that you watch TV each day. Doing it gradually may make it easier for you to transition to a life without TV.
- For example, slowly reduce the amount of time you watch TV from six days a week to five days a week (or three hours each night to two hours each night).
- Continue this process until you no longer watch TV.
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3
Limit yourself to certain shows. This will prevent you from turning on the television and surfing through the channels or Netflix looking for something to watch. This can actually waste a lot of time.
- Instead, continue watching a few shows that you have already started. For example, if you have already watched six seasons of Game of Thrones, you could continue watching that show until it finishes.
- Try limiting where and when you watch your chosen shows by only having their streaming platforms on certain devices. This way, you won’t be tempted to watch it while you’re studying on your computer or playing on your phone.
You should also avoid starting any new television shows when you are trying to quit. You don’t want to get hooked on a new series. This could make it harder to reduce your TV watching.
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Use a timer to limit your time spent in front of the TV. Many TVs come with a timer feature. When you start watching TV, set the timer so that the TV turns off after an hour. This prevents you from lingering on the TV, and forces you to turn the TV on if you want to keep watching.
- Alternatively, you can get a simple egg timer from the store. Place the timer in another room so that you have to get up in order to turn it off. This will help pull you away from the TV.
As you slowly reduce your TV time and phase out the shows that you watch, you will be able to quit watching TV completely. You will likely replace TV with other more rewarding activities and may find that you no longer miss TV. Alternatively, you may reduce your TV time enough that you no longer feel it is taking over your life.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Quitting Cold Turkey

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In order to cut TV cold turkey, you need to make it very difficult to access television shows. If you subscribe to a TV cable package, satellite service, Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services, then you should cancel your subscription immediately. This way you will no longer be able to access your favorite shows.^{[2]
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2
Remove the TV(s) from your home. Even after you have canceled your TV subscriptions, you may be able to watch a few basic channels. As a result, you should remove the TV(s) from your home. This way it will not be possible to watch TV during the evenings or as you are laying in bed.
- If you live with other people who are still watching TV, you can reduce the number of TVs in your home to one television in the family room.
- You could also try hiding your TV in a cabinet or rearranging your furniture so that the TV is no longer the focal point of the room. This will make it less tempting to watch TV.
3
Socialize with other people who don’t watch TV. It will be easier to quit TV cold turkey if you have support from other people. For example, you may want to reduce your TV time together as a family. Instead, of spending hours each night watching TV, try playing a board game.^{[3]
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- Alternatively, you may be able to find a friend who will quit TV with you.
You may want to unfollow certain social media accounts and blogs that re-cap or highlight television shows. Similarly, don't read TV reviews. These types of articles could re-spark your desire to watch TV and will make it more difficult for you to quit cold turkey.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Replacing with Other Activities

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1
Create new goals. Create a list of goals that you have always wanted to complete. For example, maybe you have always wanted to start a blog, run a marathon, or start your own business. As you work towards meeting these goals, your TV time will naturally decrease.
- People often become addicted to TV as a way to escape their problems. By setting new goals, you will begin to feel more productive and happier.
You can also quit watching TV by taking up a new hobby. For example, you could try reading, writing, drawing, or painting. Alternatively, you could start playing a sport, learn a new language or instrument, or socialize with your friends. Create a list of hobbies you have always wanted to try and begin spending your time on these.
Once you have started working towards new goals and hobbies, you will find that you no longer miss watching TV. You may find that you have found new passions and TV may even begin to seem like a waste of time and money. Once you start feeling this way, you have successfully quit TV.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can you suggest more budget ways to spend your free time for something more creative or productive other than watching TV?

Community Answer

Instead of watching TV, you could read magazines, books, comics, etc. You can go for a run, bike ride, swim or to the park. Adopt a dog and play with it. Join a club. Spend time contributing to a collaborative online project, such as a citizen science initiative or a wiki. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or a nursing home. These examples should give you an idea of the direction in which to think about things to do.

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Question

How do I stop watching TV if I hate going out and my parents have no limits?

Community Answer

If your parents don't limit you, then you need to limit yourself. Try to stick with one or two hours of TV a day at most. (Don't try to cut out TV entirely all at once, you'll probably fail and then you'll get frustrated with yourself.) Try to find new activities and hobbies that you like to do. You can read, learn a new language, learn how to make some new crafts, learn how to draw or play an instrument, etc.

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Question

How can I stay focused on my studies instead of watching TV so much?

Community Answer

Make yourself a study table and stick to it. This will help you not only to start studying, but also to improve your habits for watching television.

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Tips

Don't leave the TV on all the time in the background.

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If you prefer a bit of background noise while you work, try the radio, music, or a tabletop fountain instead.

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Throw out your remote control. You are less likely to spend hours in front of the TV if you constantly have to get up to adjust the volume or change the channel.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you’re struggling to stop watching TV and you live with other people, talk to them about helping you restrict your time. For example, they could ask you for a small favor or to come with them somewhere they see you watching TV.

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Warnings

Some people may not understand your decision, especially if you live in a culture where hours of TV-watching is the norm. Stand up for your choice and invite others to join you. This will also strengthen your resolve if you are just starting a TV-free life.

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Remember to respect the wishes of your TV-watching family members and/or housemates.

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