The Hidden Cost of Screen Time
We've all been there—at a gathering surrounded by our loved ones but lost in our phones, missing the laughter and meaningful moments happening around us. Our screens promise connection, but did you know that they’re a big factor for our feelings of isolation?
⚠️ Screen time has been proven to mess with the body’s way of regulating stress, and it also causes feelings of anxiety and depression. People also tend to feel more isolated because a lot of the time, interactions become limited behind a screen.
The negative effects aren’t just emotional, too. Too much screen time leads to physical ailments like eye strain, obesity, and joint pain.
By fixating on our devices, we overlook the countless things to do instead of being on our phone that could bring genuine joy and fulfillment. Reconnecting with the world right in front of us is the first step to fighting off the loneliness pandemic.
💡 Managing digital distractions, like the constant flood of emails, is a great way to reduce screen time. That's where Clean Email comes in. It helps declutter your inbox and overcome email-related stress.
With Clean Email mobile apps for Android and iOS, you can start managing emails and minimizing distractions right now, wherever you might be!
For example, to check how much time you're spending on your iPhone, go to Screen Time in Settings and click Turn On Screen Time. You might be surprised by how much time you actually spend on email when you see the weekly report!
📌 We recommend checking it regularly—and notice how your screen time decreases once you start using Clean Email!
Ready to reclaim our time and experience life more fully? Let's dive into 200 meaningful activities we can enjoy without our phones.
Finding the Right Activities for You
Home
Fun
Aesthetic
Productive
At Night
Crafts
Putting our phones aside is just the beginning. The real transformation happens when we fill that space with activities that are both exciting and enriching.
To make this shift easier, we've gathered 200 meaningful things to do instead of being on your phone. We've organized them into six key categories based on popular interests and trends, so click on each one to find the best activity that will help you stop using your phone so much:
- Things to do instead of being on your phone at home
- Fun things to do instead of being on your phone
- Aesthetic things to do instead of being on your phone
- Productive things to do instead of being on your phone
- Things to do instead of being on your phone at night
- Crafty things to do instead of being on your phone
1. Things to Do Instead of Being on Your Phone at Home
- Start a Creative Hobby: Engage in activities like painting, knitting, or DIY crafts.
- Read Physical Books: Dive into bestselling novels or informative non-fiction.
- Cook or Bake from Scratch: Experiment with new recipes or baking techniques.
- Declutter and Organize Physical Spaces: Tidy up your home or rearrange your living space.
- Practice Self-Care And Relaxation: Indulge in home spa treatments or meditation.
- Write Letters or Journals: Pen down your thoughts or write to loved ones.
2. Fun Things to Do Instead of Being on Your Phone
- Engage in Face-To-Face Socializing: Host game nights or social gatherings.
- Attend Live Events: Go to concerts, theater shows, or sports events.
- Explore Nature: Plan outdoor adventures like hiking or picnics.
- Practice Music or Dance: Learn an instrument or join a dance class.
- Learn a New Skill: Take up exciting new hobbies or courses.
- Spend Time with Animals: Play, groom, or train your pets, or visit a local animal shelter to connect with animals.
- Travel or Explore Locally: Visit nearby attractions, parks, or hidden gems in your area.
3. Aesthetic Things to Do Instead of Being on Your Phone
- Explore Artistic Expressions: Visit art galleries, museums, or attend poetry readings.
- Start a Creative Hobby: Create visually appealing crafts or artworks.
- Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Set up a beautiful space for yoga or meditation.
- Gardening: Cultivate a garden to enhance your living space aesthetically.
4. Productive Things to Do Instead of Being on Your Phone
- Learn a New Skill: Acquire knowledge that can advance your career or personal growth.
- Set Personal Goals and Plan for the Future: Outline actionable plans and life goals.
- Volunteer for a Cause: Contribute to your community and gain valuable experience.
- Teach or Mentor Others: Share your expertise to help others grow.
- Declutter and Organize Physical Spaces: Improve your environment for better efficiency.
- Exercise Without Tech: Enjoy a tech-free workout like yoga, jogging, or hiking.
5. Things to Do Instead of Being on Your Phone at Night
- Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Wind down with evening meditation or relaxation techniques.
- Read Physical Books: Enjoy a good book to relax before bed.
- Write Letters or Journals: Reflect on your day through journaling.
- Practice Self-Care and Relaxation: Engage in nighttime skincare routines or gentle stretching.
- Plan for the Next Day: Organize your schedule to reduce stress.
6. Crafty Things to Do Instead of Being on Your Phone
- Start a Creative Hobby: Engage in crafts like scrapbooking, embroidery, or pottery.
- DIY Projects: Create handmade items for home décor or gifts.
- Explore Artistic Expressions: Participate in workshops for crafts like candle making or glass blowing.
- Engage in Community Activities: Join craft clubs or community art projects.
- Teach or Mentor Others: Share crafting skills by teaching workshops or classes.
Explore these categories to find activities that fit with your surroundings—whether you’re cozy at home, looking for some fun, drawn to aesthetic experiences, aiming to boost productivity, winding down in the evening, or feeling the urge to get creative. Each section has unique and fun ideas to help us disconnect from our phones and reconnect with life's meaningful moments.
To make this transition out of mobile dependency even smoother, consider using Clean Email's Screener tool. It acts as a blocker for all unwanted mail from unknown senders. They’re gone before they could even hit our inboxes, preventing distracting notifications from pulling us back into our screens.
💡 By reducing these interruptions, we can focus more on accomplishing things to do instead of being on our phones. Screener helps stop unwanted emails from coming into our inboxes, reducing our screen time and making it more possible for us to enjoy life sans digital devices.
Another Clean Email tool that can help minimize the amount of notifications that come into your phone is Unsubscriber. We’ve all been guilty of subscribing to different mailing lists without ever really reading the emails. This tool makes the mountain of emails less overwhelming to sift through by categorizing according to sender and showing you the email contents in one go.
💡 You can even unsubscribe from emails without a link and delete old emails at the same time using the app, making email management much easier.
Diving Deeper: 200 Meaningful Activities Across 20 Areas
Looking to enrich your life beyond the screen? We've compiled 200 engaging activities organized into 20 diverse categories to help you reconnect with the world around you. From outdoor adventures and creative pursuits to wellness practices and community involvement, there's something for everyone.
Whether you're eager to pick up a new hobby, strengthen relationships, or simply enjoy some peaceful solitude, these ideas will inspire you to make the most of your time.
1. Explore Nature 🌿
💡 Idea: Go hiking, have a picnic, or simply walk in the park.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Describe the serenity and rejuvenation that comes from connecting with nature.
📌 Tip: Leave your phone at home or put it on airplane mode to fully immerse yourself.
Top 10 Outdoor Activities:
- Hiking in National Parks
- Bird Watching
- Camping Under the Stars
- Mountain Biking
- Kayaking or Canoeing
- Rock Climbing
- Nature Photography
- Trail Running
- Foraging Wild Edibles
- Beachcombing
2. Start a Creative Hobby 🎨
💡 Idea: Try painting, drawing, or crafting.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Express how creativity can be a therapeutic outlet for emotions.
📌 Tip: Join a local art class to meet like-minded people.
Top 10 Popular Hobbies for 2024:
- Resin Art Creations
- Digital Illustration
- Candle Making
- Jewelry Designing
- DIY Home Décor Projects
- Leather Crafting
- Origami and Paper Crafts
- Glass Blowing Workshops
- Floral Arrangement
- Soap Making
3. Read Physical Books 📚
💡 Idea: Dive into that novel you've been meaning to read.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Emphasize the joy of getting lost in a different world without digital interruptions.
📌 Tip: Visit a local library or bookstore to discover new genres.
Top 10 Most Popular Books for 2024:
- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
- The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- A Promised Land by Barack Obama
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
4. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation 🧘♀️
💡 Idea: Engage in daily meditation or yoga.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Highlight the peace and clarity that comes from being present.
📌 Tip: Create a serene space in your home dedicated to mindfulness practices.
Top 10 Mindfulness Practices:
- Mindful Breathing Exercises
- Guided Visualization
- Yoga Nidra
- Mindful Walking
- Body Scan Meditation
- Loving-Kindness Meditation
- Mindful Eating
- Gratitude Journaling
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Sound Bath Meditation
5. Exercise Without Tech 🏃♂️
💡 Idea: Join a sports team, go for a run, or attend a fitness class.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Describe the endorphin rush and health benefits.
📌 Tip: Encourage exercising without fitness trackers or music to stay fully present.
Top 10 Physical Activities:
- Trail Running
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Pilates
- Martial Arts
- Rock Climbing
- Team Sports (e.g., soccer, basketball)
- Dance Classes (e.g., salsa, hip-hop)
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
6. Cook or Bake from Scratch 🥐
💡 Idea: Try new recipes and experiment in the kitchen.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Share the satisfaction of creating and sharing homemade meals.
📌 Tip: Host a dinner party to share your culinary creations.
Top 10 Popular Recipes for 2024:
- Plant-Based Burgers
- Homemade Pasta
- Global Fusion Dishes
- Sourdough Bread Baking
- Gourmet Pizza Making
- Artisanal Cheese Boards
- Fermented Foods (e.g., kimchi, kombucha)
- Decadent Vegan Desserts
- Ethnic Street Foods
- Seasonal Fruit Pies
7. Engage in Face-to-Face Socializing 👥
💡 Idea: Organize gatherings with friends and family.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Emphasize the deep connections made through personal interactions.
📌 Tip: Make it a phone-free event to ensure everyone is present.
Top 10 Activities for Social Gatherings:
- Themed Dinner Parties
- Escape Room Challenges
- Outdoor Movie Nights
- Wine and Paint Nights
- Cooking Classes
- Trivia Competitions
- Karaoke Sessions
- Group Fitness Classes
- DIY Craft Parties
- Murder Mystery Nights
8. Volunteer for a Cause 🙌
💡 Idea: Offer time at local shelters, food banks, or community centers.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Highlight the fulfillment that comes from helping others.
📌 Tip: Share stories of individuals positively impacted by volunteer work.
Top 10 Volunteer Opportunities:
- Environmental Conservation Projects
- Tutoring Underprivileged Youth
- Meal Preparation for the Homeless
- Animal Rescue Support
- Community Gardening
- Fundraising Events for Nonprofits
- Senior Care Companionship
- Disaster Relief Assistance
- Cultural Exchange Programs
- Organizing Charity Runs
9. Learn a New Skill 🛠️
💡 Idea: Take up gardening, woodworking, or sewing.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Discuss the confidence and pride that comes from mastering something new.
📌 Tip: Set tangible goals to track progress and stay motivated.
Top 10 Skills to Learn in 2024:
- Coding and Web Development
- Foreign Language Proficiency
- Digital Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Public Speaking
- Photography and Videography
- Sewing and Tailoring
- Financial Investing
- Carpentry and DIY Home Repairs
- Culinary Arts
10. Write Letters or Journals 📝
💡 Idea: Pen letters to loved ones or keep a daily journal.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Reflect on the intimacy of handwritten communication and self-expression.
📌 Tip: Start a gratitude journal to focus on positive aspects of life.
Top 10 Journaling Ideas:
- Gratitude Journals
- Travel Diaries
- Dream Journals
- Bullet Journaling
- Art Journaling
- Daily Reflection Journals
- Fitness and Health Logs
- Food and Recipe Journals
- Goal Tracking Journals
- Creative Writing Prompts
11. Travel or Explore Locally 🚂
💡 Idea: Visit new places, even within your own city.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Share the excitement of discovering hidden gems and cultures.
📌 Tip: Plan trips without relying on digital maps—use physical maps or guides.
Top 10 Local Exploration Ideas:
- Historical Landmark Tours
- Foodie Trails
- Street Art Walks
- Botanical Garden Visits
- Local Festival Attendance
- Museum Hopping
- Ghost Tours
- Architectural Sightseeing
- Farmer's Markets
- Scenic Train Rides
12. Attend Live Events 🎻
💡 Idea: Go to concerts, theater performances, or sports games.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Convey the energy and emotion of live experiences.
📌 Tip: Encourage attending events with friends for shared memories.
Top 10 Live Events to Experience in 2024:
- Music Festivals
- Broadway Shows
- Stand-Up Comedy Acts
- Major Sports Championships
- Ballet and Opera Performances
- Cultural Dance Shows
- Outdoor Cinema Screenings
- Live Podcast Recordings
- Literary Readings
- Art and Fashion Shows
13. Practice Music or Dance 🎼
💡 Idea: Learn to play an instrument or take dance classes.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Describe the joy and emotional release through music and movement.
📌 Tip: Set performance goals to stay committed.
Top 10 Instruments or Dance Styles:
- Ukulele
- Drumming
- Violin
- Salsa Dancing
- Hip-Hop Dance
- Piano
- Belly Dancing
- Guitar
- Tap Dancing
- DJ Mixing
14. Declutter and Organize Physical Spaces 🧺
💡 Idea: Tidy up your living space to create a peaceful environment.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Explain how a clean space can lead to a clear mind.
Top 10 Decluttering Tips for Your Space:
- Adopt the KonMari Method
- Use Storage Bins and Labels
- Declutter One Room at a Time
- Implement a Donation Box
- Digitize Important Documents
- Schedule Regular Clean-Ups
- Practice Minimalism
- Organize a Garage Sale
- Create a Cleaning Checklist
- Set Decluttering Goals
Top 10 Digital Decluttering Tips:
- Unsubscribe from Unwanted Emails: Use tools like Clean Email's Unsubscriber to stop unwanted subscriptions.
- Delete Old Emails: Clean up your inbox by deleting unnecessary emails. Learn more here.
- Organize Files into Folders
- Back Up Important Data
- Clean Up Your Desktop
- Check Privacy Settings: Improve your email account privacy and security using Clean Email's Privacy Monitor.
- Remove Unused Apps
- Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
- Organize Photos
- Set Up Automated Email Filters
15. Engage in Community Activities 🏘️
💡 Idea: Participate in local workshops, clubs, or community projects.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Stress the sense of belonging and contribution to society.
📌 Tip: Look for groups that align with personal interests or causes.
Top 10 Community Activities:
- Joining a Book Club
- Participating in a Local Sports League
- Attending Town Hall Meetings
- Volunteering for Community Clean-Ups
- Organizing Neighborhood Events
- Participating in Cultural Festivals
- Joining Environmental Initiatives
- Supporting Local Theater Groups
- Starting a Community Garden
- Hosting Workshops or Classes
16. Spend Time with Animals 🐶
💡 Idea: Visit animal shelters, go horseback riding, or spend time with pets.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Share the unconditional love and joy animals bring.
📌 Tip: Consider pet-sitting or volunteering at animal care centers.
Top 10 Ways to Interact with Animals:
- Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
- Dog Walking Services
- Horseback Riding Lessons
- Visit a Petting Zoo
- Bird Watching Clubs
- Aquarium Visits
- Wildlife Conservation Projects
- Foster Parenting Pets
- Attend Animal Therapy Sessions
- Beekeeping Workshops
17. Practice Self-Care and Relaxation 🛀
💡 Idea: Take baths, get massages, or simply rest.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Emphasize the importance of recharging and being kind to oneself.
📌 Tip: Create a self-care routine that doesn't involve screens.
Top 10 Self-Care Activities:
- Aromatherapy
- Spa Days at Home
- Reading for Pleasure
- Gentle Stretching Exercises
- Mindful Bathing Rituals
- Tea Tasting and Ceremonies
- Restorative Yoga
- Nature Retreats
- Sound Healing Sessions
- Sleep Hygiene Practices
18. Explore Artistic Expressions 🎭
💡 Idea: Visit art galleries, watch independent films, or attend poetry readings.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Highlight how art can inspire and evoke deep emotions.
📌 Tip: Try creating your own art as a form of expression.
Top 10 Artistic Activities:
- Attending Art Exhibitions
- Participating in Open Mic Nights
- Watching Independent Films
- Visiting Sculpture Parks
- Joining a Poetry Slam
- Street Art Tours
- Art Workshops and Classes
- Crafting Personalized Art Projects
- Attending Live Music Performances
- Visiting Art Museums
19. Teach or Mentor Others 🧑🏫
💡 Idea: Share your knowledge by teaching a skill or mentoring someone.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Discuss the fulfillment that comes from helping others grow.
📌 Tip: Join mentorship programs or offer workshops.
Top 10 Ways to Teach or Mentor:
- Become a Tutor
- Mentor Youth Groups
- Lead Workshops in Your Expertise
- Offer Language Lessons
- Participate in Big Brother/Big Sister Programs
- Provide Career Coaching
- Volunteer at Educational Centers
- Host Webinars (offline if possible)
- Write Educational Materials
- Support Apprenticeship Programs
20. Set Personal Goals and Plan for the Future 🎯
💡 Idea: Reflect on life goals and create actionable plans.
🔥 Emotional Appeal: Inspire hope and excitement for what's ahead.
📌 Tip: Use vision boards or journals to visualize and track progress.
Top 10 Goal-Setting Activities:
- Create a Vision Board
- Write a Five-Year Plan
- Set SMART Goals
- Attend Personal Development Workshops
- Regularly Review and Adjust Goals
- Establish Daily Habits
- Find an Accountability Partner
- Celebrate Small Wins
- Take Personal Retreats
- Enroll in Courses for Skill Enhancement
If you're ready to put your phone down and dive into something more fulfilling, these activities are a fantastic place to start. Let's embrace new adventures, discover hidden talents, and reconnect with the people and world around us. Who knows what incredible experiences await you when you choose to be present in the moment?
Embracing a Balanced Life
Cutting back on our phone use isn't just about gaining extra time. It's also about reclaiming our emotional well-being and getting healthier physically. When we step away from screens, we dive into richer experiences, form deeper connections, and live more mindfully. We start noticing the world around us, engage more fully with others, and truly live in the moment.
Positive changes are best made together, so we invite you to choose at least five activities from our list to try out this week. Trying any of these ideas can help us all stop using our phones so much and embrace life more fully.
Remember, cutting down on digital distractions is a big part of this journey. By decluttering our inboxes, we reduce the urge to constantly check our devices. Clean Email makes unplugging easier by streamlining email management. With less time spent sorting through messages, we can focus on real-world experiences that enrich our lives. Check out Clean Email and try it for free, so you can take a step toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.
