Media Fasting - 5 Ideas on How to Stage a Media Fast

First of all, a media fast is simply a period of time (maybe 5 days to start with) where you avoid watching all TV except for positive shows. Most news programs are driven by fear to get the compelling viewing. All reality shows are fairly depressing - police shows, border control, ambulance rescue shows. These reality shows are all negative. Crime shows and law based shows all focus on negative aspects of life. Talk shows that are based around other people's problems are also damaging to your positive outlook and enthusiasm.

The trap is that at the end of the day, after I have put the children to bed or finished a long day at work it is so easy to sit down on the couch and to not move from the couch. This was me anyway. However, the good news is that you can also fairly quickly change this habit of relaxing and unwittingly taking on negative views. I am not saying that you should not relax however. So here are some ideas that I have tried with success.

1. Remodel the lounge so that the layout isn't focused around watching TV as the main activity. Make a relaxing position where you can take some time to read some good self-help books or engaging fiction and have some fun with it. Get yourself some really good fiction from the library - look for recommendations from friends or best reads.

2. Listen to a relaxing music mix that you like - you can easily do this through YouTube on your computer with some headphones. Try Enya or Clannad. Many people put together inspirational sequences of photos. It is amazing.

3. Listen to some self-help CDs. May of the main self-help authors do these. I listened to a very good CD just recently by Louise Hay and I borrowed that from the library. Often you can find YouTube collections from all the popular authors as well.

4. Organise and archive your family snaps. I try to make an annual album for our family and it you don't have to get out the scissors or glue. Easy online services do the work and you simply send for printing and receive in the mail.

5. Make a skype chat to a very good friend. One who will be positive and supportive.

Now that I have started, I am sure that you can think of other great ways to ensure that you have positive energy coming into your soul and preparing you for rest.