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Dr. Nancy's RxTV
Over 25 years ago, I started appearing in the media, on TV, radio and in print to share psychological and spiritual principles that would improve people’s lives. During this time, my clinical research, study and practice led me to produce a television program on the effectiveness of TV to teach positive health concepts and practices through a televised curriculum of stress management. Thanks to the Beaver County Drug and Alcohol Prevention Project, the research was funded and the outcome was remarkable, proving that a program can be produced with the intention of creating positive health and healthy habits. My research and hundreds of media placements drew me to become a resource to the media. As I have written and spoken about the power of television around the world, some things have become clear; TV is an influence that can contribute to happiness (or rob you of it, if used excessively).
Early in the studies on the effectiveness of TV to influence, Marshall McLuhan became the intelligent voice of media commentary. He said, “We become what we behold.” In studies of happiness, clearly this is the case; as you hold positive thoughts, view positive images, and spend time with positive people you increase levels of happiness and peace.
In each newsletter, I will share key points from my practice as a psychologist and media resource in a series of prescriptions entitled, Dr Nancy’s RxTV. See below for the first Rx.
And for more information on how to create happiness through positive thoughts and images, see my earlier book, Spiritual Fitness and the CD/DVD Hypnosis for Health, produced through a grant from UPMC.
Some of Dr. Nancy's RxTV prescriptions include:
- Too much TV watching results in too much inactivity. Combine TV watching with exercise, socializing and pursuing interests.
- Watch with family members and friends. The social contact is important to your happiness, too and "Inside jokes" often develop after watching shows that particularly hit home.
- Select humorous shows to make you laugh. The endorphin rush is worth taking the time.
- Watch TV consciously, choosing programs rather than just sitting down to "watch and relax."
- Watch, consciously, choosing speciic shows and then read, socialize and exercise, rather than sit for hours watching whatever happens to be on next.
- Receive Dr Nancy's RxTV prescriptions
More RxTv Tips:
- Too much TV watching results in too much inactivity. Combine TV watching with exercise, socializing and pursuing interests.
- Watch the following resources for exercise programming and health news:
- Television: FitTv is a network dedicated to offering exercise programming 24/7
- Comcast OnDemand has an option for "Sports and Fitness" with a choice of "Exercise TV" that offers yoga, dance, walking, circuit training and almost any type of exercise with segments ranging from 10 minutes to a full workout. You can watch any program and any time of day and new programs are continually updating the menu.
- Online:
www.exercisetv.com
- Watch the food channel for unique and creative ways to move toward healthy eating.
- View not only to learn about healthy food, but also to develop ideas about cooking as a way of nurturing body, mind and soul.
- Beware of food commercials. They are often placed at night when resistance is low.
- Watch messages that equate pampering yourself with bad food choices. Time for you does not have to mean drinking a double chocolate mocha.
- Consciously notice what the message is when food is presented in TV, movies and commercials so that you don’t take in the messages unconsciously.
- Select humorous shows to make you laugh. The endorphin rush is worth taking the time.
- Line up and tape things that you know will make you laugh after a long day or just when you are taking time off.
- Watch with family members and friends. The social contact is important to your happiness, too and "Inside jokes" often develop after watching shows that particularly hit home.
- Who in comedy most expresses your personal sense of humor? Keep their works handy and use them as a prescription for laugher, changing body and brain chemistry and creating happiness.
- Choose TV programming consciously and watch what you decide to watch rather than just sit in front of the TV. Research shows that more successful people pick and choose TV shows.
- Choose role models to view that are in conjunction with your goals. There is a hypnotic effect to TV so you are absorbing more than you realize.
- Enjoy TV on breaks from work that are planned.
- Know when to say stop and go back to your goals!
- Watch TV consciously, choosing programs rather than just sitting down to "watch and relax."
- Choose programs that educate, entertain or inform in a way that makes you come away feeling that the time was productive.
- Avoid over-viewing and coming away saying to yourself, “I can’t believe I watched the whole thing.”
- Balance TV watching with socializing, exercising and reading or any activity that balances out your time.
- Change what you watch from time to time and observe how it changes your perspective.
- Watch TV with others; don’t isolate yourself
- Watch TV with someone difficult to talk to – it opens up something to talk about
- Don’t run home to watch something on TV, cutting social contact short, tape it instead
- Watch, consciously, choosing speciic shows and then read, socialize and exercise, rather than sit for hours watching whatever happens to be on next.
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Spiritual Fitness Book 
Relaxation & Meditation for Adults & Children
