10 indoor screen-free activities I highly recommend
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As much as I like to unplug and stay away from looking at a screen, it is definitely easier said than done. Several times, I’ve found myself feeling “uneasy” about a digital detox day that I wanted to set aside for myself. I tried it because, in 2019, I set myself a goal to find a healthier balance between everything — including the time I spend on and off electronics of any kind. But then I realized when it seems forceful, it just doesn’t stick.
And then I realized my approach was wrong. Instead of focusing on “how to stop looking at my phone,” I should be thinking about what I can do that doesn’t involve my phone. Once I shifted my mindset, it became a lot easier for me to stay away from looking at screens.
Out of the various activities that I’ve tried, I’m sharing 10 of my personal favorites, including some that actually became a part of my daily routine. Read on for more.
Click here to read about my Color of Hope for 2021
Practice face yoga
In the mornings, I often meditate while I do my morning skincare routine. But recently, I’ve been carving time out and dedicating it to practicing face yoga, and I have been really loving it!
If you’re not familiar with what face yoga is, it’s a series of exercises that you do for your face to relax and tone muscles. Similar to a lymphatic drainage massage, you can use your hands or a beauty tool. Personally, I like using a gua sha tool like this rose quartz one because it gives me more of an at-home spa experience.
When I first started practicing face yoga, I did have to use the TV to play YouTube videos for me to follow the exercises. After repeating the same routine a few times, I was then able to do it on my own, at my own pace, and with my own music playing in the background. So I guess initially it wasn’t exactly screen-free but eventually it did evolve into a 100% screen-free activity.
Whether it really tones the muscles on my face or not — I may need to do it for a lot longer to tell you — what I do know now is that it really relaxes me. I feel more awake and my head feels “lighter” after every face yoga session.
The Gua sha tool
My favorite beauty tool that compliments my face yoga exercises. Use TRICIA10 to get 10% off your order.
Click here to check out my 3 favorite non-toxic face oils
a gratitude Journal
A book of short entries encouraging you to think of 3 things that you are grateful for every day.
2. Write in a gratitude journal
In one of my previous blog posts, I talked about how practicing gratitude got me through 2020, and I received a lot of positive feedback from many of you (thank you!).
Writing in my gratitude journal — like this really great one from Alleyoop — has been a very enjoyable daily activity. Although any notebook would easily work, I personally like following a template because it provided me with a framework and a structure before journaling turned into a natural habit. There are several great options on Etsy, too, if you want to check them out!
I write 1 to 3 things I’m grateful for every morning before I start doing work, and it really sets my day off with the right “mood.” Even if you just do it once a week, I think it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself — in addition to staying away from looking at your laptop or your phone, you’ll likely feel happier as well.
3. Tidy up your workspace or de-clutter your closet
Sometimes when I feel like I have a “messy” mind — cleaning physical spaces always help me clear it. So when I need a break from looking at screens in the middle of a workday, I would focus on tidying up an area of my workspace.
On weekends when I have more time to spare, I like to spend it re-organizing my closet (especially if I’ve just done laundry) or going through a section of my closet to de-clutter. I gather lesser worn clothing or the accessories I no longer need into a pile and then I either sell them online at The RealReal or Poshmark, or I donate them!
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4. Do your own at-home manicure/pedicure
There is something about painting my nails that I find to be very calming. And every time I’m done, looking down at my hands and seeing the pretty colors on my nails just makes me happy. It’s something small yet enough to uplift occasional dull moods.
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’d probably know how much I’m obsessed with the non-toxic nail care brand sundays studio. All of the tools and products I use are from them; the brand carries vegan, cruelty-free polishes that are safe for everyone to use (even pregnant women!).
When I do my manicure or pedicure at home, I like to light a candle, play music in the background, and just take my time with it.
5. Bring a floral arrangement idea to life
I’m pretty sure I make a ton of floral arranging mistakes when I’m playing around with flowers at home but that hasn’t stopped me from doing it. I like recreating pretty floral arrangements that I come across — just because!
Most of the time I would use dried flowers because they last longer, but once in a while when the husband is sweet enough to buy me some fresh flowers on his way home from somewhere, I’d immediately find a vase or an empty jar and play with the arrangement.
6. Work on a puzzle or play a board game
I’ve always enjoyed doing puzzles but since moving to New York about 5 years ago, I stopped because — who has the time? Well, 2020 gave us all the time we needed, so I started working on puzzles again! However, when my husband is free or when our friends who live nearby come around, I never give up on the opportunity to play board games with them!
Playing board games is so entertaining; while sometimes it encourages creative thinking, other times it develops problem-solving skills (at least that’s what I tell myself to justify my obsession). But most importantly, it’s a great way to bond with loved ones.
Currently, I’m obsessed with a board game called Catan. You can also click here to check out the article I wrote two months ago featuring some fun board games that you can play with family and friends.
7. DIY bath salts or coffee scrubs
So I don’t love cooking but I do like baking — as well as making my own bath salts and coffee scrubs!
In college, I used to have fun making masks and bath salts with my roommates. Back then, it was mostly because it was a more affordable option, and I was also in a “let’s DIY-everything” phase. Although I stopped making bath salts until this year, I still very often use ground coffee and olive oil to make my own body scrub because it has helped manage my bacne.
When lockdown happened in New York, I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinets one day and found a bag of Epsom salt. It reminded me of the days when I would make bath salts and that was why I started again.
Here’s the floral bath salt recipe I use in case you’re interested in trying it:
2 cups of Epsom salt (it helps draw impurities from the body)
2 teaspoons of olive or grapeseed oil
10 drops of your favorite essential oil (such as eucalyptus or lavender)
Some dried flowers
Simply mix all the ingredients and store them in a glass jar with a lid. I just use a mason jar I got from Amazon.
8. Take a hot shower or a bath
I’m extremely grateful for having a bathtub in my small Manhattan apartment because taking a hot bath (or a hot shower) has been my favorite self-care activity. It really relaxes me and helps me sleep better. Even a foot bath is still better than nothing.
On a side note, I’ve recently discovered this body exfoliating mitten that I absolutely LOVE — my skin is no longer flaky and dry like it used to be in the wintertime, but instead, smooth and shiny! It completely upgraded my shower routine.
9. Try new makeup looks or hairstyles
Doing my hair and makeup used to be something I had to do before I leave the house. But now, I see myself actually having fun “playing” with colors and trying out different hairstyles. In a way, it became a creative outlet for me!
And since I’m not going out to frighten people with my failed attempts (oh yes, it does happen more often than you’d think), I can really experiment with new beauty products and try out various ways of applying them.
The same thing goes for testing hairstyles — I would open up my Pinterest and find a saved pin and try to recreate the hairstyle. Sometimes I would see if I could find several ways to use the same hair accessories, while other times I would try things like overnight heatless curls to see what works for my hair.
(Well, in the case of the time I tried a look as shown here via TikTok, I wasn’t “off-screen” because I was filming the look, but most of the time I really am!)
10. Read a book or listen to a podcast)
Last, but not least — and you probably know this one already — reading a book is a fabulous screen-free activity. (Well, I guess unless you’re a Kindle-reader?) My husband owns a Kindle and he loves it but I personally still prefer real books. Currently, I’m reading Where The Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself by Jill Biden.
I’m usually not that great when it comes to listening to podcasts but once in a while when my husband and I take afternoon breaks, we would listen to one together while we make a snack to share. I didn’t realize how much information I can actually take in even just from listening to a 15 to 20-minute short talk.
What are some off-screen activities that you absolutely love? Share them with me by leaving a comment below!
As always, thank you for stopping by Happily Ever Style.
xoxo,
Tricia
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