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With the invention of smart phones, it might feel as if you’re always on the internet. With family and friends a click away, as well as communities of people interested in the same things you are, it can be easy to get lost on social media talking to people all day long.

However, spending time offline can improve your mental health as well as your relationships. Some benefits of spending time offline include:

• Reduced levels of stress and anxiety. Social media can cause stress and anxiety. With easy access to the news, a work email, and social accounts, the internet can always have your mind occupied.
• Better sleep. The blue light from your phone and other devices can impact your brain’s ability to distinguish when it is bed time. Taking time offline can help your brain rest from the blue light and get better sleep.
• Improved social relationships. In-person relationships are not the same as texting online. Spending time in person is the best way to deepen a relationship and get to know someone better.

With these benefits in mind, it’s important to take time away from your phone and computer. Here are 31 ways you can spend some more time offline.

Ways to Spend More Time Offline

1. Go for a Hike. Exploring the great outdoors can be a fun way to spend time offline. You can even take a friend with you to go and see different scenic sights!
2. Meditate. Meditation can give your mind some time relax and help you think about some of the important things in your life. Meditation is also proven to help relieve stress and give a sense of calmness.
3. Read a book. Reading a book can be a fun way to pass some time offline. You can read a classic favorite, or find a new read that will take you on a new adventure!
4. Play board games. A board game can be a fun way to interact with your friends or family without using the internet. You can make it a board game night competition to help incentivize people to compete against one another!
5. Bake treats. Baking is a fun activity that can be done with a cookbook and the right ingredients. Teach yourself how to bake fun treats to help further your cooking skills!
6. Organize your house. Are there junk drawers or places in your house that you’d like to organize, but haven’t yet? Organizing your home can be one way to help pass time without using the internet.
7. Write. Have you always wanted to write a book? Spending some time writing in a journal and jotting down ideas can be a great way to be creative without using the internet.
8. Draw a picture. Do you have some artistic skills? Drawing a picture can be a way to exercise your creative mind while staying offline.
9. Exercise. Exercising is a great way to maintain or improve your shape. You can lift weights, do some cardio, or find a workout class to spend some time off the computer.
10. Volunteer. There are many organizations that could use your help – volunteering can be one way that you spend time offline while helping a cause that you care about.
11. Call a friend or family member. Is there someone that you haven’t spoken with in a while? Spend time having a conversation with someone to reconnect!
12. Do a puzzle. A puzzle can be a great mind exercise that can help you relax. You can do a puzzle with a family member or friend to make this activity even more engaging!
13. Play a sport. Do you enjoy sports? You can gather a group of friends and spend some time at the park playing a sport to spend more time offline!
14. Shop. Shopping can be a fun activity that you can do any day of the week. Take some time to go to your local mall and spend time perusing some of the stores. Bonus points if you can find and support some local shops.
15. Learn to sew. Sewing is practical skill that can also be fun to learn in your free time. You can learn how to sew basic items and get creative with different craft projects that you might find at the store.
16. Camping. Camping is a fun hobby where you can explore the wilderness and enjoy the outdoors. You can plan to hike a trail, build a bonfire, and play campfire games to help pass the time.
17. Talk to someone you don’t know. Every day, we pass by people at the store, coffee shop, park, and other places. Take time to meet and get to know someone that you don’t know.
18. Go out to eat. There are many local restaurants with amazing food that you may not know about. Get in your car and find a new local favorite place where you can enjoy the food.
19. Go to a museum. There are plenty of local museums that offer different cultural experiences. From art to history, you can find a museum on a topic that matches your interests.
20. Attend an event. Concerts, festivals, and other fun activities are happening all the time in your area. Find a fun event that you and your friends can attend!
21. Go swimming. Swimming in the pool can be a fun activity that will help you relax and exercise. It’s also a great way to be outside and enjoy the fresh air!
22. Stargaze. At night, the stars will come out. You can go outside and stargaze, or find a place where you can borrow a telescope to go and stargaze.
23. Craft. There are so many fun craft kits that you can find at your local art store. Spend some time offline crafting something artistic and interesting!
24. Gardening. Gardening can be a fun activity that can help you get outside and learn how to grow different plants. You can even take some of the fruits you grow and make meals with them later!
25. Finally finish that home improvement project. Have you been putting off a home improvement project – such as painting the walls or fixing a light? A great way to spend some time offline is to fix your home.
26. Take a class. Is there something you always wanted to learn? Taking a class at a community college can be a great way to broaden your knowledge and spend some time offline.
27. Make a scrap book. Do you enjoy taking pictures? Making a scrap book can be one way that you can spend time offline while using your creativity.
28. Play an instrument. Playing an instrument can be one way that you can experience music without using the internet. You may even find that you have a hidden talent that you never knew you had!
29. Fishing. Fishing is a relaxing activity that can be done in many local parks with lakes. This is a great way to spend some time offline while enjoying a quiet hobby.
30. Play with a pet. If you love animals, spending time with one of your pets can be an enjoyable offline activity! You can take a dog for a walk, play with a cat, or watch your fish in a fish tank. If you don’t have a pet, volunteer to pet sit for a few hours!
31. Learn a language. Learning a language can be a useful way to spend your time offline. You can take a class or use a book to help broaden your knowledge of a language that you’ve always wanted to learn.

Saber Healthcare

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides consultant services to more than 130 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Delaware. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.