Stop scrolling and start living a more mindful life with these fun and free tips.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Do you find yourself swiping through countless images and videos throughout your day? Are you laying in bed and checking emails before starting your morning routine? You’re certainly not alone — technology has become an undeniably critical part of modern life. (If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that our world runs on screens and strong digital connections.) But while the power of tech can be used for good—like FaceTiming loved ones and supporting movements—it can also have us doomscrolling the news for hours on end.
Taking a tech break is one of the best things you can do to care for yourself—and getting started just got easier. Read on to discover five simple ways to de-stress and give yourself the rest you deserve. (And then feel free to log off).
Call on your friends
One of the best ways to go offline and not feel disconnected is to lean onto your pals. (More often than not, our peeps need to unplug, too.) Right before you put your phone away, hit up the group chat and make a plan to hang out, device-free. Are your besties at a distance? Try a minor digital detox—plan intentional tech time to video chat or talk on the phone with no distractions—or ring up a friend while taking a stroll for a boost of vitamin D. Want more platonic date ideas? Check out this energizing list.
Tap into your inner child
Inner child work doesn’t have to feel like work—sometimes it’s just about play. Unleashing your creative side through art or rewatching nostalgic films can offer some reprieve from adult responsibilities. (Be sure to indulge in your favorite snacks for added pleasure.) Other times, it’s about getting attuned to your inner voice in a world filled with distractions. Regardless of your reasoning or expression, tapping into your inner child is a soulcare practice worth embracing. One way to get started is practicing a little mirror work. Take a few moments to look at your reflection and raise the child within using gentle affirmations that celebrate your most vulnerable self.
Feed your senses
One of the reasons we can’t stop swiping? Dopamine! This chemical hit of pleasure can be felt from a seven-second TikTok. An offline alternative to achieving this intensely satisfying feeling is building a sensual self-care toolkit. You deserve to feel good in whatever ways work best for you, and discovering those life-sustaining centers requires giving yourself some attention. Spending time feeling our bodies and surroundings for groundedness and joy is a great way to get reacquainted with who and where we are. Rather than numbing out to endless streams of media, you can opt into tuning toward your breath, relishing in your favorite scents, and indulging in a slow-cooked meal to savor every flavor.
Thank your body
In a #NoFilter world filled with filtered images, powering down can be the boost your confidence needs. Time online can breed comparison and feelings of inadequacy due to unrealistic beauty standards. It’s important to take a step back and recognize the beauty we possess and say “thank you body” for all the ways our bodies care for us. Challenging yourself to be grateful for the skin you’re in is an essential part of your soulcare journey. Taking part in a body ritual or turning your inner criticism into curiosity can ease you into a body love practice to remember your worth. (Yes, even on your hardest days.) Need some inspo? Start here.
Write it out
A tried and true self-guided tip? Pull out your journal. There are many benefits to journaling, including processing difficult news and celebrating joys. Keeping track of your thoughts, worries, growth, and more with pen and paper is a therapeutic modality trusted by millions. That said, don’t forget using prompts to jumpstart your writing is a great way to create a focal point or freshen up a writing routine. You can choose to have a journal for all things or choose to keep separate journals for specific topics. (Joy and gratitude journals are great ways to find positivity every day). If you choose to journal, you’ll have the added bonus of a judgment-free zone to express your deepest thoughts and feelings — just for you! You can take journaling anywhere — a park, airplane, mountain retreat — and reap the rewards of this soul-nourishing practice.
How do you get unplugged? Share your favorite alternatives to scrolling in the comments below!
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