Take a look around your home; we reckon you’ll see at least three different screens on three different devices. From mobile smartphones to televisions to laptops, there are screens and technology everywhere and sometimes you’ve got to accept it’s simply time for a break. If you’re cooking dinner and glancing down at your phone you’re disengaged from reality. A break from tech and the digital world does everybody a world of good. Below are some things you should do to cut out constant tech use.
Face to Face
When you’re at work take the opportunity to speak to people face to face. Rather than firing off emails and chat messages head on over to your colleagues’ desks and discuss things with them face to face. You’ll soon find that you’re communicating more effectively and your points will be made more clearly. It also cuts down the time spend pinging messages to and fro. Of course there will be elements of work which can’t be sorted face to face and therefore there is still a need for digital. These small moments of tech break during your working day should be embraced and you will soon feel more productive and more positive about your work environment.
Non-Screen Family Time
Non-Screen Family TimeSet aside a specific time every evening on weekdays and once a day at weekends where everyone is obliged to do something that doesn’t involve tech. This means no computers, television, video games, CD players or iPhones. The whole family, you included, should get involved and it could be anything from choosing to read a book to playing a board game together. You should aim for about an hour on weekdays and up to 90 minutes at weekends. You can choose together what you want to do or do things independently as long as they don’t involve tech. One evening session could involve helping the children with their homework whilst the next could be cooking dinner together. You’ll soon begin to look forward to your tech free time.
Go Outside
This shouldn’t be something you need to be told! Grab your family and take them outside. Getting fresh air and exercise is integral to a healthy lifestyle and provides the perfect tonic for an overly technological world. It gives you a guaranteed break from technology and if you take the kids with you, you won’t even need your mobile phone. Take the focus away from technology and divert towards your local natural environment. Take the children to the park or the beach and enjoy their company. Don’t think about checking that phone, simply enjoy the environment around you and the great company you’ve got. Alternatively go solo and take a quick stroll after dinner before turning to the telly.
A tech break is something everybody should embrace. In time you’ll come to really enjoy it and once you’ve developed some new non-tech hobbies it may even find yourself telling the family “I’m going to sell my netbook for some cash we can spend together”. It may sound unbelievable now but perhaps it will eventually happen!
So true. We usually camp a few times a year and I always love it. No phones, no computers. Just lots of great family time outside.
This is so true. I spent years and years in the I.T. field as a systems admin and a network admin. Tech can quickly take over your life and unplugging is necessary and should be done frequently.
This is a great idea! I wanna try this one day!!
I’ve been taking more tech breaks lately and love it!
One thing we found helps is to get the kids involved in an activity. We have games and the kids get to pick a game. So they get a chance 2 times a week. I can say I need to get more games because we seem to always play the same. I love how they get excited though and it makes them want to move away from electronics, even us parents have fun!
This is a must from time to time. The kids are currently in their formative years so quality time is essential.
Unplugging once in a while is a great idea
Great points! We all need a break everyday to unwind and spend time with those people we love and care about! Thanks for the reminder!
This is something we are really trying to do–minimize the screen time. It’s really difficult with teenagers because they think the world revolves around their phones.
These are great tips. We usually go out on the weekends and the kids can play their ds until we get to our destination. They usually opt to read.