Switch Off Without Your Phone

We all love a good Netflix marathon, but sometimes we just want to switch off without your phone!

It is very easy to experience burnout, especially now when many people are working from home. We may not have holidays to look forward to, however time away doesn’t always help. You go away, have a good time, come home and by the next morning you are back to square one, feeling overloaded.

It is so important that you set time aside for yourself each day. By doing so, you are spending time on something you enjoy which will boost your mood. We all have those days where we feel down, overwhelmed and unmotivated. So by implementing something small into your routine like meditating or writing, you can start bringing a little more joy into your life. Put your phone away and take some time to switch off!

Switch Off Ideas

1. Pick up a book – there are so many different genres of books. There is definitely something out there for you.  It doesn’t have to be a typical book, it can be something different. Choose something you are interested in so you’ll get sucked in and won’t want to put the book down! Check out Book Depository for a huge range of cheap and affordable books.
2. Spa night – have a pamper night and treat yourself. Set the mood by lighting some candles, have a bath, put on a face mask or do your nails. Do anything that makes you feel relaxed!
3. Exercise – this isn’t one for everyone, but for a lot of people exercising is the best way they can get their mind to slow down. It is so amazing for your mental health and it gives you the best energy boost for when you are feeling down. It doesn’t have to be a hard workout or anything. A nice walk  or some gentle yoga can be just as good and calming. Go for an evening stroll, and maybe even watch the sunset!
4. Write – pick up a diary and write how you are feeling. A weight gets lifted off when you write down what’s on your mind. It can literally be anything, just a few words that express how you are feeling, a doodle, a mind map or anything else. Just take a few minutes of your day to write in a journal and it can help your mood a lot.
   If you don’t want to write in a journal, how about writing a letter to someone in your life. You have no idea how amazing you will make someone feel by writing a thoughtful letter.
5. Start a scrapbook – get some photos printed and buy a plain scrapbook and get creative. Looking back on photos is a great way to think of happy times and give you such a happiness boost. You can doodle in the scrapbook, add in any memory type things like train tickets, use different pens and stickers and you’ll find yourself not wanting to stop. It is something that you can work on over time and it is a great way to be able to look back in years to come! There are some really nice scrapbooks in Art & Hobby and you can buy so many supplies off of AliExpress.
6. Get crafty in other ways – pull out some pencils or paint and it’s such a great way to not think about anything else. It is really calming to doodle, sketch, paint, or knit, and if you aren’t particularly artsy grab a colouring book and some pencils and chill. You focus on what you are doing so there is no way for any thoughts to get in.
7. Clean & organise – these may sound like a weird one for some, but giving the house a deep clean can be really relaxing! A tidy house means a tidy mind, because when everything around you has a place, your mind can really rest. Get some organisational boxed online and even some personalised labels for an extra touch!
8. Card games – there’s nothing like a good old board or card game! If you don’t have any at home, now is the perfect time to start a collection of games. They are a great way to spend time with your family or friends. You will wet yourself from laughing when playing some games and there’s not better medicine than laughter!
9. Bake – spending time in the kitchen is our happy place and we know for others it’s the same. You can start with a simple recipe like chocolate chip cookies or banana biscuits and work your way up to something more difficult. You focus on the recipe and nothing else so its easy to switch off. If it turns out you don’t like baking, at least you have something yummy to eat afterwards!
10. Cooking competition – compete with your partner or housemate in a cooking competition. Pretend you are on Master Chef, set out a few rules and get cooking!
11. Dance party – stick on a playlist, have the volume up really loud and let out some of your frustration with dancing! Why not even grab your hairbrush or a T.V. remote and sing to your heart’s content
12. Build a fort – a fort doesn’t just have to be for kids! Get a few blankets, some fairy lights and some electric candles (we don’t want to start a fire!) and make a cute little spot for you to eat dinner! If this isn’t for you, you could always set up a cute picnic in your garden for an impromptu date!

Everyone needs a break every once in a while. Especially since we have spent the last few months with our phones attached to the hip! It is really good for your mental health to take some time away from all the screens. So enjoy a break on your own or with your partner.