Digitally Unwind

Join a Local Sports Team or Club! ⚽

Is your teen spending too much time on screens? Encourage them to join a local sports team or club! Not only does it get them active, but it’s also a great way to meet friends and develop skills that boost confidence and teamwork.

✨ Why It Works: Being part of a team teaches valuable lessons like cooperation, goal-setting, and resilience. Plus, the regular commitment provides structure and keeps them engaged outside of social media.

Help your teen find something they enjoy, whether it’s soccer, basketball, or an art club. Real-world connections can be just as rewarding (and more uplifting) than virtual ones.

💡 Challenge: Have your teen try one new sport or club activity—then share what they love about it below!

Is this the right move? Governor Little signed an executive order incentivizing schools to limit or eliminate cell phone use in Idaho schools by the end of the current school year.

Idaho Governor unveils executive order to restrict cell phone use in schools The “Phone Free Learning Act” encourages all schools to adopt a district-wide policy restricting cell phones in schools.

“Get Outside – Try a Weekend Nature Challenge!”
Feeling like screens are taking over? Encourage your kids to try something new and refreshing—spending time outdoors! Nature provides a natural reset, and time away from screens can help improve focus, boost mood, and strengthen family connections.

Three science-based reasons we should provide opportunities for children of all ages to get outside without their screens:
1. Spending time outdoors, especially with others, can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The combination of natural environments and social interaction has been shown to improve mood and mental health by lowering cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone). [see Song, C., Ikei, H., & Miyazaki, Y. (2016). Physiological effects of nature therapy: A review of the research in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(8), 781. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4997467/ ]
2. Time in the outdoors leads to better performance in tasks that require attention and “working memory” even more than those that went for walks in urban surroundings. [see Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19121124/ ]
3. Spending time with others outside increases our sense of connectedness and provides a sense of social security that we cannot get from our digital social networks. This security leads to increased happiness and improved mental health. [see Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316 ]

Here’s a fun way to get started:
✨ Weekend Nature Challenge: Head to a local park or hiking trail with your family. Try a nature scavenger hunt, wildlife spotting, or challenge each other to capture the most beautiful landscape photo.

Getting outside isn’t just about exercise—it’s a chance for everyone to unwind and connect without screens. Let’s show our kids the beauty of the offline world!

💡 Challenge: Take your family on a nature adventure this weekend and share your best photos below!

We are just starting this in our community. I have been surprised how many people oppose this idea.

How to Find Balance Between Social Media and Real Life

We get it—social media is fun, and it’s easy to get lost in endless scrolling. But finding a balance between your online world and real life is key to feeling happier and more in control. You don’t have to give up social media completely, but taking some steps to balance it with real-life activities can make a huge difference.

Here are three simple ways to start balancing your time:

Set Time Limits on Your Social Media Apps
Use built-in tools on your phone to set daily time limits for each app. This way, you can enjoy social media without getting sucked in for hours. It’s all about moderation!

Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications
Constant notifications pull you back to your phone, even when you’re trying to focus on other things. Turn off notifications for apps that aren’t essential, so you can stay focused on the moment.

Schedule Regular “Phone-Free” Time
Make a habit of unplugging for a little while each day—whether it’s during meals, while hanging out with friends, or even just before bed. Use that time to connect with people or try new activities IRL.

💡 Challenge for today: Track how much time you spend on social media. At the end of the day, reflect on how much of that time could’ve been spent doing something else. Share your results in the comments and let’s see how we can find balance together!

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