Above: In 2022, community members shared their reasons/plans for unplugging for a day. SYFS is encouraging the community to do it again, starting tonight. (images from Facebook)
The annual call to take a break from screens is sundown tonight, Friday, March 7th to sundown tomorrow, Saturday, March 8th.
I know it’s short notice for planning – but there are some fun events taking place in our community between those hours that could help the time fly by!
Tonight those include the NSBORO Culture & Music Festival at Algonquin and a live blues & classic rock band at Owen O’Leary’s.
And tomorrow, there are two performances of Jungle Book Kids at Trottier.
In Southborough, the Unplug initiative, is led each year by Southborough Youth and Family Services. The intent is to improve mental health by encouraging people reconnect with loved ones and off screen interests.
(Of course, if the Unplug timing doesn’t work for you because you weren’t aware this is happening, you could always carve out a day sometime soon for you/your family to do it on your own!)
Yesterday, SYFS promoted on Facebook:
❌🔌📱💻❌TOMMORROW, is #GlobalDayofUnplugging. It happens March 7th-8th, sundown to sundown. How will you use your 24 screen-free hours? Share with us using the prompts below! Check out your Southborough friends who have already shared their reasons to unplug ❌🔌📱💻.
The former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recently released an advisory highlighting the epidemic of loneliness and isolation and the role that excessive social media use and other factors play in our mental health and overall wellbeing.
Some key takeaways from the report:
* One-in-three U.S. adults 18 and over report that they are online “almost constantly”.
* For ages 15-24, time spent in-person with friends has reduced by nearly 70% over almost two decades.
Below are some examples that were posted from a similar promotion three years ago:
In prior years, SYFS shared thoughts on what residents could do with their screenless time. Those included:
- Get Outside
- Play Games (board games, card games, and/or puzzles)
- Cook or Bake
- Visit a Museum (click here for details on discount passes to museums, zoos, and grounds through the Library)
- Grab Lunch or Dinner (dine in or takeout)
- Read (You can stock up on free books at the Library)
- Build an Epic Blanket Fort
- An Unplugged Scavenger Hunt
Below are some more past highlights from Facebook of community members sharing their plans for unplugging, from knitting to snowboarding:
