10 ALTERNATIVES TO BEING ON YOUR PHONE

Let’s face it – we live in a tech-savvy world.

People are on their phones constantly. They’re addicted. And not only to their phones, but to any other object that has a screen and WiFi. If it isn’t Instagram, it’s Facebook. If it isn’t Twitter, it’s Snapchat. If it isn’t texting, it’s surfing the internet.

Is all this time spent on the screen worthwhile? Or is it simply a waste of time? I’m sharing with you 10 alternatives to being on your phone (or any other device.)

READ A BOOK

This is honestly the best alternative! Reading a book has so many benefits. When I say read a book, read an actual, physical book. Don’t read one on your phone, tablet, kindle, etc. Reading an actual physical copy of a book is so much more beneficial and saves your eyes from extra strain. Readers are Leaders! Reading is so much more educational than Twitter.

BAKE/COOK

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely loveee baking! Bake brownies. Bake cookies. Bake a cake. Bake muffins. The options are, indeed, endless. Plus, on a cold day, if you leave the oven open after you’re done baking, it’ll warm up your kitchen. And lemme tell you, licking the bowl is the best part of baking. hands. down. And if you’re feeling festive, bake up some holiday cookies and share them with friends!

ART

While looking at a screen causes eye strain, coloring has been proven to relax your mind and help you de-stress. Print out one of those complex and intricate adult coloring pages and go for it! Or, if you’d rather, you can draw, paint, sculpt… whatever suits your mood. Art is also a great activity to do with a sibling or friend.

CLEAN

Let’s be truthful here. Cleaning isn’t one of our favorite things to do, is it? But you can turn your cleaning from a chore to being something you enjoy! Play your favorite music playlist (don’t look at your phone after pressing play) and jam to it while you work. De-clutter, dust, sweep/mop/vacuum, wipe down surfaces, make your bed, wipe the mirrors and windows, throw or give away old stuff, and spray a nice scent in your room. Dust can cause allergies or nose congestion. When you clean that dust away, the air will feel clean and you can breath easy. A clean room will motivate you!

EXERCISE

Whether it be a bike ride, a walk, a run, lift weights at the gym, or simply an at-home workout, exercise is a great alternative to being on your phone. Don’t live close to a gym or the weather isn’t suitable to go out? Look up some at-home workouts and routines on Pinterest or YouTube. It’s good for your body and you’ll feel great afterward, instead of feeling low and lazy after the same amount of time on your phone.

HANG OUT WITH A FRIEND

Go out with a friend! Go and browse the racks at the new AEO store in town, beat your high score at laser tag, watch a movie at the theater, enjoy a meal at a fancy restaurant, have a study group at a coffee shop, or just simply hang out a home. Put those phones high up out of (temporary) reach and focus on face-to-face interaction.

DEVOTIONS

Take time to read God’s word. Study it. Mediate on it. Memorize it. Pray it. Don’t waste your time scrolling through your social media feed in the morning. Instead, get up and open your Bible. Read a passage you’ve never read before. Listen to a sermon.

DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE

Instead of watching a YouTube video, help a younger sibling with their homework. Wash the dishes. Sweep the kitchen floor. Fold the laundry. Put others before yourself by doing something for someone else! That could be a sibling, a parent, a friend, or even a stranger! And that doesn’t mean like their post on Facebook.

GET AHEAD

Don’t use your phone as a procrastination tool. Turn your phone on silent, grab your books, and go for it. Read ahead for next week’s class. Prepare for the upcoming project. Re-read your notes you took for science class. Go over your draft for your English paper. Whatever you can do to get ahead, do it! Your future-self will be thanking you for it.

EXPLORE SOMETHING NEW

Go to a new section in the Library you never go to. Take a walk in a neighborhood you’ve never been to. Ride your bike on a trail you’ve never gone on. Try a new fitness class at your local gym that you’ve been wanting to do. Buy a drink at that new coffee shop around the corner that your friend recommended. Whatever it may be, trying something new is always an adventure!

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We can all use some time off our phones, tablets, computers, or any other screened device. I hope these 10 alternatives are useful to you and make you realize how much fun you can have without a screen!

How much time do you spend on your screens a day?

What other things do you think you could be spending your time doing?

Do you have any favorite alternatives?

Shoo! Go! Leave! What are you doing reading this post! Go do something worthwhile!! 😛

 ^“I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” Psalm 119:15

Note – I changed my header! Do you like the new fonts and design? I’m sorry I change things up so much… but, it’s okay, right? #noshame