Need a Screen Break? Create a Digital Detox Space at Home

It can be hard to escape our cell phones, computers, and tablets. Everything from work to talking with friends and family to running the thermostat for a home can be done from a phone. Basically, you can’t live life in the 21st century without being online at least some of the time. But there are definite benefits to unplugging and taking a break each day. Creating a digital detox space — a space away from electronics, where you can chill out and unwind — is a helpful way of making sure you go offline each day. Perhaps you have a nook with a chair and bookshelf, or a patio with a porch swing. You could even consider an entire room, like a bedroom, off-limits for electronics. Wherever you create your refuge from digital devices, you’ll reap lots of rewards from disconnecting each day. Here are some suggestions for your own digital detox space.

Put Your Electronics Away

If you want an electronics-free space, it helps to have a dedicated spot where you put the electronics you have. You can set them in a mudroom, an office, or another area away from where you want to relax without them. This phone docking station has room to hold a cell phone, tablet, and earbuds. There are also two holes for charging cables, so your phone and tablet can charge when they’re not in use. This docking station also has room for keys, a watch, pens, glasses, and other small items so you’re ready to run out the door the next day. 

Set the Mood

One advantage of going tech-free is that you tend to notice the environment around you more. Lighting, textures, smells, all of these help you create a comfortable space to unwind without your devices at the end of the day or on a lazy weekend morning.

This soft, faux fur blanket envelops you while you’re reading or relaxing. It won’t fade or shed and is machine washable for easy care. It’s perfect for a reading nook or as a warm, extra layer piled on your bed on chilly nights. 

Add to your chill vibes in your digital detox space with some low lighting. This lamp provides a soft glow so you can read or work on other hobbies, and the neutral earth tones mean it goes with just about any decor. It comes with an LED bulb, so you can start using it right away. 

Another way to add ambiance to a reading nook or other calming space is with twinkle lights. String them along a bookshelf or banister, or even simply pile them in a heap on a nightstand. Twinkle lights look magical, however you display them! This set is battery-operated, so you don’t need an outlet. They’re waterproof, so you can put them indoors or out, and there are eight modes of lighting in different patterns. 

Find Analog Activities

Your detox space could be nothing more than a comfy chair where you go to sip tea and stare out the window. But it’s nice to have something to do that doesn’t involve a screen, so you’re more likely to want to spend time there. Puzzles are a wonderful way to digitally detox! Working on puzzles exercises the brain and, at the same time, relieves stress and promotes mindfulness. They’ve been shown to improve memory and brain connections. This cheerful bookshop puzzle has bright books and flowers, plus an adorable pup hanging out on the floor. It’s a great way to decompress at the end of the day or to spend a few free minutes when you have them. 

Adult coloring books with intricate designs make another great activity when you want to chill out and recharge. This coloring book features natural designs and mandalas made of leaves and flowers. Focusing on coloring lets your mind relax, and the nature-inspired drawings of leaves, butterflies, and flowers promote calm, as nature often does. 

Along with a coloring book, nab some fancy pens to do the actual coloring. These glitter gel pens come in a variety of shades, from muted to neon. They have a fine tip for detailed coloring or drawing, plus a comfortable grip so you can hold them for long periods of time while you concentrate. A storage case with a snap lid means you can easily pack them up and store them when you’re done. 

Reading is an excellent analog activity when you want to unplug from the world. If you’re not sure where to start, this book suggests a nice long list of other books to read. Some are classics, while others are from lesser-known authors. You’ll find both children’s books and adult books on the list. There are also book lists arranged by topic, such as “Offbeat Escapes.”

While you’re reading, coloring, or puzzling, you may want a cozy cup of tea or coffee to enjoy. This porcelain mug holds 16 ounces of hot or cold beverages, and the generous handle makes it easy to pick up. The bug and flower designs and the gold handle give it an elegant look, so it’s pretty sitting on a bookshelf or nightstand even when you’re not using it.

Feature Image Credit: Shashi Chaturvedula/ Unsplash