20 Fun Things To Do Instead of Looking at Your Phone

 

In this digital-obsessed world we live in, most forms of entertainment involve staring at a screen. As a result, most of us spend a huge amount of time on our phones and gadgets. In fact, studies have shown that we spend around a third of our day on our phones. I think you'll agree - that's way too much time being wasted! Believe it or not, before there were gadgets people still found plenty of things to do. In today's post, I'm sharing 20 fun things to do instead of looking at your phone and why non-tech related hobbies are so important.

Why Technology-Free Hobbies Are Important

It's very beneficial to our health and happiness to have some time away from screens. I'm sure you're not surprised to hear that technology makes us feel more stressed. Our smartphones make us reachable by anyone 24/7, so unless you turn off your phone you may feel expected to answer anyone who calls.

There's also the issue of social media. Many of us enjoy browsing social media sites in our spare time (I don't need to tell you how addictive Instagram can be!). Although there are positives to social media, such as the fact that you can connect with like-minded individuals and keep in touch with old friends, there are also negatives to it. It's way too easy to compare your life to others on these sites. Because of the need for more likes, followers and re-tweets etc, countless studies have linked social media use to depression and anxiety.

Physical health-wise, experts advise that prolonged screen usage can be seriously detrimental to eye health. Furthermore, spending too much time looking at your phone is bad for your back and neck. As we tilt our head down to look at our phone, it increases the pressure we put on our spine, which has been shown to increase upper back and neck pain.

So the next time you reach for your phone in boredom, why not try one of these activities instead? -

20 Fun Things to Do Instead of Looking at Your Phone

1. Read a book

2. Write in Your Journal

3. Draw or Paint Something

4. Go for a Walk Outside

5. Do Some Exercise

6. Learn a Foreign Language

7. Pick Up an Instrument

8. Try a New Recipe

9. Make a Scrapbook

10. Solve Crosswords and Wordsearches

11. Put Together a Jigsaw Puzzle

12. Play a Board Game

13. Take up Sewing, Crocheting or Knitting

14. Start Gardening 

15. Visit a Museum in Your Town

16. Write a Letter to Someone

17. Complete a DIY Project

18. Catch up with Family and Friends

19. Volunteer In Your Community

20. Take Some Time to Reflect 

I already enjoy a few things on this list, but I am definitely planning on trying some more in my spare time! I hope you found something on this list that interests you too. What are some non-tech related hobbies that you enjoy doing?