Relaxing in front of the TV and being productive? What a contradiction! It’s possible, though!

Multitasking is the name of the game

There’s usually one in every family. Maybe it was your mother or grandmother, an aunt or other relative? We’re talking about the multitasking brigade those individuals with the nifty fingers and flying knitting needles or crochet hooks are busily working while they’re watching their favourite soapy on TV.

Multitasking or productively using your time to get other things done while watching TV may, however, not be everybody’s idea of a relaxed evening at home. Granted, but do take a peek at some of the suggestions mentioned below. You may be surprised to find out that you are already, without knowing it, engaged in productively using your time in front of the TV.

Productive things to do while watching TV

Whether you are a pro-multi-tasker who can work and watch or a novice who has to wait for commercial breaks to get things done, the suggestions below may be worth considering.

Grab your laptop computer or phone

    • Check your emails, send e-mails, delete or organise old emails into folders.
    • Update your social media profiles and resumé.
    • Clean out all the junk mail you’ve been storing.
    • Pay your bills.
    • Do some online shopping.

Work up a sweat

    • Do a couch potato workout. Find examples of couch potato workouts that incorporate your couch as part of the fitness routine on the Internet. You will be surprised to find variations of old favourites such as triceps dips (to target your arms), bridge kicks (to target your bum and thighs), seated leg raises, scissors and circles, push-ups, squats, crunches and lunges.
    • Other couch exercises you can try include Kegels (tightening your pelvic floor muscles, holding the contraction for five seconds and then relaxing for five seconds) and deep breathing exercises to help manage stress.
    • You can also do ballet exercises using the back of the couch as a bar or wall exercises such as wall squats while standing behind the couch, facing the TV, but with your back against the wall.
    • Using a portable pedal bike, stationary bike, treadmill or ski machine is the ultimate exercise option while watching TV.

Be creative

    • Have a box of crafts next to the couch. You don’t always have to watch everything on TV, just listening can be enough.
    • Work on your drawing skills. All you need is a sketch pad and pencils in a basket by your chair. You can also try your hand at colouring in, the latest craze for grown-ups.
    • Use polymer clay to knead or create something while watching TV.
    • Do some knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing or beading.

Get organised

    • Iron and fold your laundry.
    • Turn out your handbag and re-organise the contents.
    • Write out your to do and grocery lists during ad breaks.
    • Page through magazines and write down interesting recipes, tit bits and inspiring ideas.
    • Load or unload the dishwasher or washing machine during commercials or take out the garbage.
    • Water your indoor plants.
    • Open and sort your mail.
    • Pet and groom your animals and children too.

Best of all

Surprise your man, lady or significant other by snuggling up and having a smooch!

 

Sources

Bush, S. Five creative things to do in front of the TV. Retrieved from: http://makegreatstuff.com/5-creative-things-to-do-in-front-of-the-tv/
Christ, S. Twenty five productive things you can do while watching TV. Retrieved from: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/25-productive-things-you-can-while-watching.html
Gross, J. 2015. Fifty productive things to do while watching TV. Retrieved from: https://www.skinnymom.com/50-productive-things-to-do-while-watching-tv/
Hawkins, A. 2014. Get a workout while you watch TV. Retrieved from: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/a22535/how-to-workout-while-watching-tv/