Rest and Connect: How TV Helps Me Find Balance in a Busy World
This post is a collaboration with TV Licensing (a trademark of the BBC), but all thoughts and experiences are my own.
As a child of the 70s, 80s and 90s, I was brought up with TV being a central part of my everyday life. Whether it was rushing home after school to catch ‘Home and Away’ and ‘Neighbours’ or settling down on the sofa with my brothers to watch the Saturday afternoon films on TV, the ‘gogglebox’ has been a constant feature in my life’s journey.
The BBC’s Rest and Connect campaign highlights how television offers a powerful combination of entertainment and stress relief. This resonates deeply with me, as TV and relaxation have always been intertwined in my life. It’s prompted me to reflect on how television helps me rest and connect, both with myself and with others around me.
From Scheduled Viewing to On-Demand Freedom
In my childhood, we couldn’t binge-watch TV shows as catch-up services simply did not exist. Instead, we watched each episode on live TV and then patiently waited – usually for a whole week – for the next instalment. Society generally seemed more patient back then.
Today, thanks to services like BBC iPlayer, I can watch as many episodes as are available whenever (and wherever) I want. Currently obsessed with ‘The Royle Family’ (yes, I’m very late to that particular party), I revel in having three series to lose myself in, watching several episodes in a sitting if I choose.
Even with limited time, I can watch part of an episode, knowing the app will save my progress and resume from that point when I return. This ability to revisit beloved comfort shows whenever needed has become an essential part of my relaxation routine.
Television as Motivation
Being neurodivergent, I often find myself stuck in a procrastination black hole and motivation proves elusive for even the simplest of tasks. My brain frequently responds with a resounding “NO” to lengthy and dull activities, like my daily physiotherapy exercises or washing my hair. However, I’ve discovered that television provides both distraction and incentive to begin.
If I open BBC iPlayer on my iPad and start an episode of ‘Ten Pound Poms’ or whatever series I’m currently watching, I can usually get started with the task at hand. This approach has proven so helpful that I’ve installed a waterproof iPad case in my shower, allowing me to watch programmes while completing my ablutions when necessary.
While this might seem unusual to some, having a TV show playing while tackling certain tasks allows me to relax and complete them, whereas without this accompaniment I often become a stressed-out mess making little progress. It’s a perfect example of how television helps me rest – I complete mundane tasks more efficiently, leaving more time to properly unwind later on.
The Evening Wind-Down Ritual
My evening routine typically involves preparing dinner and sitting down to eat while watching a favourite programme or anticipated film. I’ve been an avid ‘Casualty’ fan for more years than I care to remember, usually watching it live. When that’s not possible, I’m grateful it is there waiting for me on BBC iPlayer.
Having episodes to catch up on during dinner feels like a wonderful treat. The warmth of familiarity when the theme tune plays is second to none, instantly signalling to my brain that it’s time to relax and transition from the day’s responsibilities.
Finding Balance Through TV
As a natural night owl it’s all too easy to be tempted to watch TV late into the night. Thankfully, the on-demand feature of BBC iPlayer has helped me minimise this habit as I can easily catch up on any late night TV or films at a more reasonable hour instead of feeling like I have to stay up late to watch certain shows.
This approach enables me to practice both self-control and self-care: I can enjoy the shows I love at a convenient time, while still getting adequate sleep. TV viewing offers remarkable stress relief and escapism from daily worries, having a restorative effect on my mental health that allows me to recharge and face new challenges with renewed energy.
Television: The Universal Connector
One of television’s greatest qualities is its ability to start conversations. Regardless of who you are or who you’re with there’s always something to say about a TV show or film. These shared experiences help us connect with friends, family and even strangers in virtually any situation.
The way we watch has evolved dramatically over the decades, but television’s power to help us rest, recharge and relate to others remains constant. Whether watching live broadcasts with loved ones or catching up on personal favourites during quiet moments alone, TV continues to be a cornerstone of both my relaxation practices and social connections.
I’d love to know what TV shows and films you enjoy watching, whether on live TV or catch-up. Let me know in the comments section below.
Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of live TV. It covers you for:
- All TV channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave and international channels – but you don’t need a licence if you only watch non-BBC channels on-demand
- Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and BT – but these are platforms that could have both live and on-demand services
- Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video
- Everything on BBC iPlayer.
This includes recording and downloading. On any device.
Our lives would be so different without tv, in some good ways but also in some bad ways. Overall I think it has improved society as it can be so educational. These days people get their screen fixes on their phones more than tv and it is less controlled and regulated so we as a society need to be careful.
In terms of what I watch, I never miss Match of The Day or Question Time. I much prefer the current affairs coverage on the BBC to most of their other content.
I love Ten Pound Poms too! Also getting into Vigil, it’s so tense! And for something lighter you can’t beat People Just Do Nothing and This Country. I watch mostly on catch-up but do watch some live shows too. There was a great documentary about Liza Minnelli (Liza with a Z!) that I could not tear myself away from on Saturday night.
I watched that Liza Minnelli doc too, it was so good! She is such a superstar. I then watched the movie New York, New York that was shown immediately afterwards but wasn’t impressed with Robert De Niro’s character/acting and I fell asleep partway through, whoops! Might try watching the rest of it on iPlayer in the hope it gets better.
I wouldn’t bother with the rest of that film as it didn’t get much better. I hate the way women were portrayed back then and even now it’s not a lot better! I won’t ruin the ending for anyone who wants to watch the whole film but I was glad it wasn’t a completely predictable ending, but with that said I just didn’t enjoy the film overall. Loved the singing though, Liza is a true diva!
You’re right about TV being something that connects us all. I’ve often struck up a conversation with a stranger about last night’s TV and it has helped me make friends and find common ground with people at work. Sometimes the conversation goes a bit south when we don’t agree on TV preferences but it’s always a good talking point.
My wife is a devotee to all the soaps so when she’s got them on the TV I retreat to the kitchen and watch my preferred shows on catch up. I like the news programmes and never miss an episode of Newsnight. They also have some great shows on News 24 or whatever they call it these days.
There used to be so much sport on the BBC and it’s a shame so much of it has been monopolised by the pay-tv channels like Sky etc. I watch the snooker when they show it and the rugby of course. I am not a football fan, which in some ways is unfortunate as the BBC actually show quite a lot of it. Queens and Wimbledon are coming up soon though and I am looking forward to those.
I don’t really watch dramas but I do love a crime documentary and the BBC are renowned across the world for their quality programmes.
Omg how did you miss The Royle Family till now?! Glad you’re enjoying it though, it is such a classic.
I do think the overall quality of BBC programming has gone down over the years but they do still make excellent stuff.
I never miss Eastenders or Corrie (ITV not BBC) and currently I am obsessed with Code of Silence starring Rose Ayling-Ellis who wont Strictly Come Dancing. She is such a superb actor and it is great to see a deaf person in a starring role, which is unfortunately very rare. The BBC should have signed her up for something, they really missed a trick there.