In today’s world, screens are everywhere. Many of us have gotten into the habit of unwinding in the evenings by zoning out in front of the TV or mindlessly scrolling on our phones. But is this “passive screen time” actually healthy? Or is it preventing us from living up to our full potential?

Is Escapism Healthy?

There’s one camp that believes having some escapist entertainment is a normal part of a balanced life. Watching shows helps you decompress after a long day, giving your brain a break. Without any escape at all, you’re setting yourself up for burnout.

But the other side (which I lean towards) questions whether we really “need” to escape our daily lives. If you feel like you desperately need an escape every night, doesn’t that suggest something is wrong? Shouldn’t we aim to build lives that are fulfilling enough that we don’t constantly crave numbing our minds?

Using Your Time Wisely

Too much passive screen time keeps you stuck in an unsatisfying status quo. Look at the stereotypical depressing rat race – commute, work, commute, veg out on the couch, sleep, repeat. Where’s the sense of progress? The social connections? For many, TV sucks up the little free time they have rather than it being used more constructively.

In contrast, most successful entrepreneurs credit giving up “passive screen time”- TV and internet surfing–as pivotal to building their businesses. All those hours spent watching “The Office” reruns could be invested in honing skills, strengthening connections, and working towards your dreams.

Your Attention is your Currency

These days, the battle for our attention is fiercer than ever. Billions of dollars are spent designing campaigns and content to hook us in and monetize our time and attention. But when we allow our attention to be “passively” directed by external interests, we become less conscious creators of our own reality.

You can only create a life worth living when you learn to reclaim your attention, and direct/channel that energy appropriately.

There’s an excellent book on this topic called “Outwitting the Devil” by Napoleon Hill. Written in the 1930s, it remains relevant today and is a great read for anyone wanting to consciously create their ideal life. The premise is that most people fail to reach their full potential because negative influences like fear lead them to become drifters. However, by becoming the master of your own mind and taking committed action with a sense of purpose, you can fulfill your potential and build your dream life.

Finding Healthier Ways to Relax

This isn’t to say relaxation and entertainment are bad. But how can we unwind in healthier ways than zoning out to screens? Things like reading, taking a nice bath, meditating, dancing, spending quality time with friends and family. Activities that nourish us.

Cutting the cord and going screen-free in the evenings forces you to rediscover these kinds of analog leisure habits. It gives you the space and presence to realize what you’re really craving in life, and how to fulfill that need.

And keep in mind that familiarity creates comfort. Neuroscience and psychology now tell us that any repeated habit creates a cognitive reward, along with emotional comfort. So a simple habit like drinking a cup of tea, once ingrained and familiar, eventually become a source of comfort and relaxation.

Reevaluating Your Relationship to TV and Screens

During my college years, when TiVo was rolling out and Reality TV was starting to explode, I found myself totally addicted to watching TV. After college I decided “no more”–and I haven’t owned a TV since then. Not having access to TV gave me the opportunity to seek out more fulfilling forms of downtime and connection. I discovered dance and yoga classes, and learned to enjoy reading books.

Of course, now our phones can act as “mini TVs” providing 24/7 distractions. So perhaps the bigger issue today is addressing “passive screen watching” as a whole. This is a more challenging issue and I what I believe to be a root cause of the loneliness epidemic.

Creating a Life Worth Living

The more we dislike our lives and feel an urge to “check out” each night, the harder the mindless screen habit becomes to break. But making an effort to cultivate a lifestyle that feels genuinely nourishing could be the first step to spending our free time in more meaningful, connected ways. And taking back control over how we direct our attention and energy each day.