4 Ways To Unplug During National Screen-Free Week 

As the last month of spring (meteorologically speaking) begins, the weather offers the perfect opportunity to utilize the essentials of life. We can all afford a break from the monotony that electronics, social media, and the constant pings that cell phones bring.

Beginning May 4th through the 10th, National Screen-Free Week starts. This gives us all a chance to live on purpose without the distractions that our beloved gadgets bring. Her Agenda has listed a few ideas you can start this week to participate in screen-free week, which can hopefully become a part of your weekly routine going forward.

Being outside can be therapeutic. Changing the scenery, allowing the sun to cast over your body, and taking in fresh oxygen can be calming to your nervous system and can awaken your senses and enhance your thoughts and mood.

According to UCLA Health, surrounding yourself with nature can improve your mood and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can alter the brain activity in your prefrontal cortex — the part regulating emotions.  

Additionally, spending time in nature can help your heart be healthier by increasing your movement and reducing stress. 

Technology has made reading convenient with the likes of ebooks and audiobooks. However, classic physical printed books will never go out of style. There is something magical about holding a book, smelling and feeling the texture of the hard or soft cover, turning the pages, and truly engulfing yourself in the literature. If you pick the right book, you can literally live vicariously through the characters. This is something technology cannot provide.

Real Simple states that reading puts your brain to work, and that’s a very good thing. Those who engage their brains through activities such as reading, chess, or puzzles could be 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who spend their downtime on less stimulating activities. 

Sure, phones and computers make it easy to stay in touch with loved ones, but screens can’t replace the touch of a loved one. An in-person hug cannot be replaced by a virtual one. Core memories provide a multisensory connection that technology cannot compete with.

Peace Family Counseling says:

Being intentional about spending quality time together as a family can have significant positive effects on overall health and well-being, such as:

• reinforcing feelings of safety
• acceptance
• love
• reducing stress
• fostering positive self-esteem and self-confidence
• promoting healthy communication and conflict resolution skills
• improving resilience and the ability to cope with life challenges

Relaxing in real time means being aware and present for your own time. It doesn’t need to be documented on social media, texted to a friend, or recorded for later use. National Screen-Free Week is an ample opportunity to escape the norm of capturing every moment and actually live in it. Here, you’ll be able to rest properly and allow your body to settle and reset. This will also lessen anxiety, stress, and feeling overstimulated.

Mind suggests that getting in touch with your creative side can help you feel more relaxed. You could try:

• Painting or drawing
• Making crafts
• Playing a musical instrument
• Dancing
• Baking
• Sewing

Grounding yourself in the present moment is a practice that many use in meditation. Urban Ice Tribe says grounding meditation has numerous benefits for both our mental and physical well-being. The most important benefit is that it slows down the mind with its incessant chatter, allowing you to return to your here and now reality rather than the one inside your head. This separation from abstract thinking is essential not only for your peace of mind but also for better health outcomes, as it reduces stress levels, which in turn will reduce inflammation in your body.