The management of time and attention also contributed to a healthier physical state. While television was a staple of the 1970s home, it was a limited resource. Programming was scheduled and finite; when a show ended, the set was usually turned off. There were no smartphones, tablets, or social media platforms designed to trap the user in a sedentary “infinite scroll.” Without these digital distractions, boredom served as a catalyst for action. When children were bored, they went outside; when adults were restless, they tended to gardens, worked on hobbies, or visited neighbors. This active engagement with the physical world naturally kept the body in motion.
Stress management was similarly tied to movement and connection. While the 1970s certainly had its share of geopolitical and economic anxiety, people were not inundated with a 24/7 stream of global catastrophes and personal notifications. Stress tended to be intermittent rather than chronic. When it did build up, it was often released through tactile means: hands-on work, social interaction, or spending time in nature. Sleep routines were also more consistent because there was no “blue light” from screens to disrupt the production of melatonin, ensuring that metabolic and hormonal health remained robust.
