112 Things To Do Instead of Being On Your Phone
We spend so much time on our phones these days. According to Fortune.com, Americans pick up their phones 144 times per day and spend over 4 hours each day on their phones.
It brings up a question I have. Is there anything better than being on your phone?
I’d say most people would probably answer “of course” but when we look around, everyone seems to be on their phone.
Waiting your turn in line? Stuck at a red light? Waiting for the microwave? *pick up your phone*
In order to feel true soul deep peace and relaxation, we need to unplug. Adventist Health says that being “on” 24/7 isn’t good for our mind, body, and spirit.
That brings up the question, what can you do instead of being on your phone? And that’s the exact question I’m answering today!
Before we get into the list of activities, I want to make one thing clear: breaking the habit of not being on your phone is going to be an extremely hard habit to break.
Give yourself some grace and try to incorporate some of these ideas little by little until you feel you’ve reduced your screen time by a comfortable amount!
I hope you find these ideas as meaningful alternatives to being on your phone! Let’s get into it.
112 Things To Do Instead of Being on Your Phone
Activities for Self-Care
- Practice Mindfulness
- Try journaling
- Write a gratitude list
- Take a nap
- Practice deep breathing
- Read a new book
- Try meditating
- Take a bubble bath
- Put on a hair mask
- Pet you dog
Physical Activity and Health
- Take a walk outside
- Go to the gym
- Try a new workout
- Make a new recipe
- Bake a cake
- Go for a hike
- Learn a new sport
- Explore a local park
- Go staking/rollerblading
- Dance to your favorite song
- Yoga or stretching
- Ride a bike
- Try breadmaking
- Go rock climbing
- Create a sourdough starter
- Go swimming
- Clean your house
- Make a new smoothie recipe
- Go shopping
Building Relationships
- Spend time with a family member
- Play a board game
- Challenge a friend to a card game
- Play a card game
- Tell stories with kids/family members
- Write a letter to a friend
- Plan your next vacation
- Start a book club
- Volunteer in your community
- Help a neighbor
- Create a care package for a long distance loved one
Exploring the World Around You
- Go to a local museum
- Walk outside and bask in the sun
- Try gardening
- Birdwatching
- Take a scenic drive
- Attend a local sporting event
- Do a scavenger hunt in your town
- Visit the library
- Go on a picnic
- Go horseback riding
- Go pick up trash in your neighborhood
- Take a walk in a nearby town
- Go for a drive and look at beautiful houses
- Attend a bar/restaurant with live music
- Try a new restaurant in your town
- Try a new coffee shop
- Visit the animal shelter and pet the dogs
- Go pick flowers and create a bouquet
New Skills, Creativity, And Organization
- Take a pottery class
- Read a popular fiction book
- Try a DIY project
- Learn a new instrument
- Make a homemade candle
- Build a birdhouse
- Learn all the words to a new song
- Do a sudoku puzzle
- Do another sudoku puzzle but faster
- Do a crossword puzzle
- Go buy a jigsaw puzzle and see how long it takes you to complete
- Organize your drawers
- Make a budget
- Create a birdfeeder for your yard
- Tie-dye a shirt
- Learn a new language
- Try knitting or crocheting
- Learn photography and take pictures
- Paint a picture
- Make home soaps
- Draw or doodle
Strengthen Your Faith
- Read your bible
- Find a bible verse to memorize
- Say a prayer for every loved one in your life
- Attend worship service
- Attend a new small group
- Mentor a new christian
- Write your testimony
- Spend quiet time in prayer and meditation
- Try bible journaling
- Listen to worship music
Personal Growth
- Listen to a personal development podcast
- Start a blog
- Read a personal development book
- Set new goals for yourself
- Work on public speaking
- Create a vision board
- Invest money into a Roth or IRA
- Work on growth mindset
- Write out your bucket list
Seasonal
- Host a BBQ
- Go to a water park
- Star gaze
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go pick apples
- Make homemade apple butter
- Craft a homemade wreath
- Bake Christmas cookies for your neighbors
- Go look at Christmas lights
- Light candles and enjoy a quiet night in
- Make hot cocoa
- Build a gingerbread house
- Make cards for upcoming birthdays
Most important Activity
- DO NOTHING.
I saved the best for last! Something we’ve lost sight of as a society is being bored. So much creativity and peace can come from simply boredom.
As you can probably tell, I am a huge believer of intentional living and I hope this post has intrigued you to take a step toward more intentional living.
Choose a few activities that align with your values and personality and do them!
Which of these activities are your favorite? Comment below!