15 Ways to Unplug for a Few Hours in Honor of National Day of Unplugging

If unplugging for an entire day seems like an impossible task, the Reboot network and I challenge you to give it a try at least for a few hours. National Day of Unplugging is always the first weekend in March where we’re asked to unplug for 24 hours to “carve out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors, and connect with loved ones” at a time when it’s easy to miss out on life’s important moments because we’re immersed in our technology.

We increasingly miss out on the important moments of our lives as we pass the hours with our noses buried in our iPhones and BlackBerry’s, chronicling our every move through Facebook and Twitter and shielding ourselves from the outside world with the bubble of “silence” that our earphones create.

                                 ~From NationalDayofUnplugging.com

It may seem hypercritical for a tech savvy individual like me who always seems to be multitasking to suggest a digital break but honestly, it’s something that I do each and every day as a sanity saver. I find that I stay more centered if I take time to unplug between the time I pick up my kids from school until the time they’re asleep. It gives me the opportunity to truly connect with them as we sit and have a snack over homework, discuss the day’s events in the car en route to an after school activity, really pay attention to the progress they’re making on the basketball court, soccer field, and during guitar lessons or piano lessons, and be available to listen to their biggest concerns that always come out just as they’re getting ready to fall asleep.

If a day of unplugging seems too daunting, start with a couple hours. Boston Mamas has a fantastic post with 8 Tips for Unplugging Your Family to get you started and here’s what you can do in just a couple hours that when combined can lead to a few hours or even an entire day of unplugging!

Friday night:

• Break out the board games for a family game night.
• Talk to your kids and agree on a favorite family movie to watch during a movie night.
• Snuggle with your kids for a bedtime story. Or two or three.
• Pick up that great book you started and never quite finished.

Saturday morning:

• Indulge in a longer than usual breakfast before heading out to the day’s activities.
• Take some time to read the paper while the kids break out some art supplies to get crafty next to you.
• Break out the instruments for a family jam session.
• Bake some cookies for the neighbors just because.
• Head to that museum you’ve been meaning to visit.

Saturday afternoon:

• Hop in the car for a mini road trip.
• Take a picnic lunch to a nearby park.
• Visit your local library or a favorite bookstore.
• Take the family dog for a walk.
• Invite the kids’ friends for a playdate.
• Marvel at the sunset.

Before you know it, the sun will be setting and you will have made a conscious effort to unplug for part of your day. Disconnecting for a few hours is a great way to work up to spending a full day away from technology. After all, once you try it, you might even like it enough to unplug regularly and for longer periods of time!

If you unplug even for a little while over the next 24 hours, come back and leave a comment letting me know how it went! Did you get twitchy or did you not even miss being connected?

 No compensation was received for this post.