Tech Talk Tuesdays: National Day of Unplugging

We’re back for Tech Tuesday to take the National Day of Unplugging pledge. So what is that?
The National Day of Unplugging (NDU) is an annual 24-hour period, running from sundown to sundown, of observing a communal digital detox. This project was designed to slow down lives in an increasingly hectic world. This year it is scheduled for March 6-7.

Below are a number of analog ideas to help connect with yourself and your family during your 24-hour screen break.

1. AVOID TECHNOLOGY
• Eat dinner without disruption.
• Create Cell Phone Sleeping Bag
• Have an unplugged scavenger hunt. Hide alternative activities, such as board games, materials for a science project or a series of books and create clues to and the alternative activities. Spend the afternoon playing together.

2. CONNECT WITH LOVED ONES
• Create a family tree. Take time with your family to discuss your childhood, family history, stories and memories.
• Cook favorite family recipes.
• Have a Family Book Club.

3. NURTURE YOUR HEALTH
• Have a Tea Party. Go to your local grocery store and buy an assortment of herbal
teas. Take a deep breath and enjoy.
• Have a family yoga party in the morning. Move the furniture and stretch out the yoga mats. Have each member of the family prepare a pose and namaste together.
• Get the beat grooving and have a dance party on Friday night (without using your phone!).

4. GET OUTSIDE
• Go for a long walk in a park near your house or even a national forest. Lead a nature scavenger hunt. Print out a map beforehand or bring an old-fashioned guide book. Print out pictures of items for the kids to find. Bring along a bag to collect items for an art project later.
• Do yard work. Mow the lawn. Plant flowers. Get rid of weeds. Start the vegetable garden you’ve had on your “to do” list forever.
• Set up a family obstacle course in your yard. Compete against yourself to improve on your individual times.
• Have a favorite tree in your yard? Turn it into a wish tree for the day and have each family member write or draw their wishes for the next year.

5. BE COMFORTABLE WITH SILENCE
• Eat one meal in silence.
• Yell for 10 seconds and then be quiet for 30.
• Meditate. Go to a quiet place and come up with a family chant. Chant together.
• Take turns expressing yourselves in silence by making faces.
• Play charades.

6. GIVE BACK
• Talk to your kids about charity. Decide as a family what issues in the world matter most to you. Decide a charity of your choice before sundown. And give together as the sun sets.
• Organize a community drive. Ask people to donate clothing, school supplies or food to those in need.
• Bake cookies and deliver them to your local police or fire department as a thank you.

To learn more and take the pledge, visit: https://www.nationaldayofunplugging.com/

What are some ideas you may have to participate in The National Day of Unplugging? We’d love to hear from you! info@milfordprevention.org