May is Mental Health Awareness month, making it the perfect time to try (or revisit) taking a purposeful break from technology. If you’re wondering what to do during a digital detox, try our top three favorite mindful activities to help keep your brain busy and your fingers off the screen.

If you’re craving a bit of real, tangible connection with yourself and others, then it may be time to try a digital detox. Between the rise of remote work and pandemic-related isolation, we’ve spent a scary amount of time these past several months looking at screens. We wake up to texts and emails, join in on afternoon Zoom calls, then retire to the television screen for some evening unwinding. 

Don’t get us wrong: we love that technology enables us to live more connected than ever before and access online work or play anywhere in the world. Still, these same benefits can quickly turn into drawbacks when the boundary lines become blurred between “me time” and “work time;” when scrolling our social media feeds becomes our go-to boredom buster or automatic stand-in for real human interaction. (Or maybe it’s just us?)

Taking a purposeful break from technology is fast becoming one of the most popular self-care trends. You can try it as a one-time personal challenge (can we even make it one hour without touching a phone screen?) or as a regular mindful practice. Whatever your game plan, the hardest part is figuring out what to do with yourself when your eyes and fingers are yearning for a screen. 

That’s why we’re dropping three of our best digital detox ideas to help ground your body and focus your mind on the present moment.  

1. Pottery making.  There’s so much we love about clay sculpting, from the tactile experience of feeling the clay in your hands, to the rejuvenating uplift of the creative process. Plus, it’s hard to grab or operate a phone screen when your hands are covered in clay… and if you’re hungry for some social time, don’t reach for a phone - sculpting is an ideal activity to do with friends! Shop our eco-friendly DIY clay kits and get everything you need delivered to your doorstep with a portion of proceeds going to support a brighter future for mental health.
2. Letter writing. Okay, it sounds old fashioned - but who doesn’t love finding a personalized card among all the junk mail these days? It’s more meaningful than an email and one of the best substitutes for an in-person visit or phone call. Taking a moment to send someone you love a “thank you” or “thinking of you” makes them feel extra special. What’s more, it’s a great way for you to practice gratitude, which supports a more positive outlook and benefits your mental wellness, too! 
3. Nature walks. Taking a mind-body break doesn’t need to be any more difficult than stepping outside your front door. Mother Nature is an expert at providing a grounding experience for the senses. Take in the views, feel the sunshine on your skin, drink in the aromas. Want to score even more mental wellness benefits? Give a wave to fellow neighbors or hikers. Science shows that even the smallest interaction with another human can lighten mood, increase feelings of belonging, and even lower your risk of dementia.

We’re committed to curating a simple, sustainable at-home pottery making experience that gives back to mental health. So, we’re big fans of the digital detox as a self-care mental wellness practice. Take 15 minutes, an hour, or a whole day for yourself, say “no” to the screens, and try our top three tech-free activities instead - get started now with one of our best-selling Air Dry Clay or Ceramic Clay kits