The Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching, and we’re all looking forward to taking a few days away from work to spend with family and friends. Unfortunately, for many of us, downtime is rare, and sometimes it can leave us feeling bored or unsure of what to do. Without even realizing it, we grab our phones and start scrolling to see what other people are doing. All of a sudden, we spend hours scrolling through social media or news feeds. There are plenty of other ways to pass the time besides playing with your phone. Make time to connect with your family and friends (and yourself) – play a game, do a puzzle, read a book, or hang out.
Today, we’re sharing some ideas for putting your phone down this Thanksgiving weekend that we hope will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after the holidays. We hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.
12 Ideas for Putting Your Phone Down During the Holidays
5 tips for putting down your phone
- set phone boundaries– Set limits for checking your phone. Maybe once in the morning and once in the evening. Try to avoid scrolling when you first wake up and before going to bed.
- close notification– Go to Settings – Notifications, you can edit your app notifications. Every time our phone vibrates, rings or lights up a notification, our brain releases a small amount of dopamine. The problem is that this boost is temporary and leads to disappointment.
- delete application– Remove distracting, enticing or even addictive apps from your home screen.
- Set time limits for applications– If you go to Settings – Screen Time – App Limits, you can set time limits for apps like Instagram. It notifies you when you hit the limit and is a useful reminder not to get lost in the endless scrolling.
- Charge your phone away from the bed– Many of us charge our phones on our nightstands. Then we look at our phones before bed and first thing in the morning. We also sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, which is not good for our sleep patterns. Charge your phone outside the bedroom to make sure you don’t want to interrupt your rest time with it.
go out
One of the best ways to put down your phone this holiday season is to get outside. Even just sitting outside on a cool, crisp November day with your face in the sun can be a great way to improve your mood and mental health. Relax and enjoy the fresh air, sun or snow!
go out for a walk
Holidays can be stressful and we can go for a walk with friends, or even be alone if you need a break from all the hustle and bustle. It’s a great way to relieve stress and reset.
Magazine
Does writing make you feel calm and reflective? Take a break from holiday pranks and journaling. Write down your gratitude or share your favorite stories. Practicing gratitude can improve our mental health and stamina, and reduce anxiety and depression.
read
Sometimes the chaos of the holidays is too much and we need to escape. Before heading back to family and friends, why not take a shower and get away with your favorite romance or mystery novel?
play a game
Gaming is always a great way to pass the time if the holiday spirit is getting tense and you’re looking for a way to unwind. Play a game of charades or throw a dance party. Looking for something more relaxing? Try doing a holiday puzzle or playing cards. Check out our post – 20+ Best Games to Play for the Holidays Play with friends and family in a more fun way.
watch a movie or show
Sometimes we just need to relax on vacation. Our lives can feel like we’re moving a million miles every minute, and we haven’t had a chance to catch up on our favorite show or movie. Watch with your family or sneak away and enjoy an episode alone in bed.
do yoga or fitness class
Sometimes we need to move our bodies and sweat to release tension and stress. We don’t usually make time for these things during the holidays because we feel the need to be constantly entertained and to be with family and friends. If you know it’s going to keep you sane this holiday season, take a moment. Whether that means getting up early to roll out your mat, or attending a 3pm class online or in person. See what’s available and put it on your calendar so you don’t skip it.
