By Bhuvanaa Sreeram

My cousin was visiting from the US. She wanted to talk to all our uncles and aunts in India. She took down the numbers from the family Whatsapp group and called them. And you will be surprised to hear the responses she received…

“Beta - can we talk in 30 minutes. We are watching a TV serial”.

“Aunty is not available to talk now - she is busy watching her TV serial”.

“I will ask uncle to call you back. An important scene is happening in this serial and we are watching it”.

What’s with elders being unavailable for their children, nephews and nieces? I’ve never heard of something like this before.

But this is our reality these days.

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What Is Happening?

Many retirees turn to television as a default pastime. It starts innocently enough as a routine to fill the quiet post-dinner hours. But soon, watching TV serials becomes the center piece of the evening for many retirees. The sudden availability of free time coupled with a lack of other engaging activities, makes watching TV shows an easy choice.

There is an audience that include senior citizens and the maids in their homes for certain types of soaps that play during the day in various TV channels. This habit, while seemingly harmless, can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle both physically and mentally.

The Subtle Influence

The television offers continuous engagement. Dramatic family stories and saas-bahu serials with their regressive ideas, complex narratives involving betrayal, conflict and over-the-top emotions do more than pass the time. They slowly shape thoughts and attitudes. Over time, these programs influence our point of view and transform how we interpret our own relationships and social interactions.

The Dangerous Impact On Mental Health

• Cognitive Dulling: The brain, like any muscle, needs exercise. Passive entertainment does not support cognitive health. Passive activities such as watching TV for long periods in a day, can lead to decreased mental sharpness. The same could be true for mindless Instagram scrolling too.

• Distorted Perceptions: Regular exposure to exaggerated conflicts in these serials might lead viewers to misinterpret normal family dynamics. Small disagreements in the family suddenly seem like conspiracies. A casual comment feels like an insult. You begin to wonder if you should be "on guard" like the characters on screen.

• Emotional Effects: Prolonged engagement with dramatic content can heighten feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or paranoia, particularly among the elderly who already lack enough social interactions.

The Dramatic Impact On relationships

In multi-generational households, the effects can be particularly pronounced. Small communication issues can escalate into serious family disputes. Being out of sync with the younger generation causes misunderstanding and arguments. A once-harmonious home turns into a tense environment. It was in one of those moments that we banned the TV from the living room in our earlier home.

Does It Have To Be This Way?

Of course not! You could ban the TV from your living room too.

Or you can choose to engage with content that enriches your lives and fosters connections. Programs that inspire, educate, or involve the viewer more actively could replace the passive consumption of soap operas.

• Documentaries that expand knowledge and ignite curiosity.

• Interactive Media: Engaging in more interactive forms of media, such as online courses or discussion forums that connect them with like-minded peers.

• Creative Pursuits: Encouraging activities such as writing, painting, or digital photography can stimulate the mind and offer fulfilling ways to spend time.

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There Is A Better Solution

Rewrite your calendar.

Like smoking, watching TV soap operas can quickly become very addictive. The only way to avoid falling into the trap is, to avoid it the very first time.

Having a busy schedule involving interesting hobbies, meeting new people, contributing to society and other positive engagements can ensure you are never tempted to begin with.

Follow the ReFirement mantra - Start your Retirement Plan with Filling up your Calendar with meaningful activities.

Retirement should be a vibrant phase of exploration and growth. Television is a powerful medium that can entertain and educate. But just like how eating garbage can mess with your stomach, consuming bad content can mess with your mind.

By choosing how you spend your time, retirees can significantly enhance their quality of life and ensure their twilight years are as enriching as they are entertaining. ReFire - Don’t Retire!

(The author is a certified financial planner, co-founder and head of financial planning at House of Alpha Investment Advisers Pvt. Ltd. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Outlook Media Group and/or its employees. The article is for information purpose only; please consult your financial planner/s before investing.)