This holiday season, taking a break from your phone can be the ultimate way to recharge and savor the things that make life meaningful. Unplugging can not only free up your time but also retrain your brain to prolong your attention span. With Thanksgiving break starting tomorrow and winter break only a few weeks away, time off from school is a great chance to detox and reclaim your time for loved ones and making memories. 

Of course, a digital detox is valuable beyond the holidays as well. Some college professors have reported they are changing the way they assign reading to their students, partly because “digital technology and social media have taken a toll on attention spans.” Our attention is a commodity in what is called the attention economy, since our views, likes, and follows can generate revenue for online content creators. If you develop new habits with the way you interact with your phone, you can also improve your sleep and health. So, take back your attention to spend it on what really matters!

Here are some ideas to help you detox:

  • Browse the stacks in the Library and build a to-be-read list (TBR) to get excited about spending time offline! 
  • Check out a physical copy of a book to give yourself a screen break. You could find a novel you can get lost in, a how-to book to teach you a new hobby in the Creating section, or a self-help book to keep combatting digital clutter. 
  • Leave your phone at home and book a study room to work on a project or read a book from your TBR. 
  • If you are over 18, utilize the Library of Things to check out puzzles to assemble or games to play together after Thanksgiving dinner, cookie cutters or candy molds to make holiday sweets, a sewing machine or a musical instrument to try your hand at a new skill.
  • Use an app like ScreenZen to limit your time on social media. While the iPhone has the Screen Time app, many users find it too easy to bypass the restrictions, rendering it ineffective in reducing the time they spend online.
  • Attend a Library program to learn new things and connect with others in your community. Click here to see our Events Calendar.
  • Spend some time in the Creative Corner in the Library to work on a puzzle, color, or craft with the Cricut, blank stationary, scrapbook paper, and more.