Low-energy weekend activities that don’t require screen time

For those times you want to recharge, but don’t want to waste your screen time, try this recovery activity

Screen time is something a lot of us are aware of these days, and for good reason, with several studies finding a correlation between high amounts of screen time and worse mental and physical health.

Realistically, screen time isn’t something we can (or, maybe even should) aim to escape entirely. For many people, using a device is a standard part of their job role, and our devices support our well-being in many ways – including ensuring that we can stay in touch with our loved ones when we need it most.

Still, it’s worth being aware of how much time we spend with screens, and getting to know our relationship to them (for example, does our screen time tend to increase when we’re feeling down? Or do we use them as a distraction or delay technique?) is worth it.

So, for those times when you really need a break, when the stresses of the week have drained your energy, and you need to recharge with a low-energy activity, try these:

Puzzles

Forget the idea of ​​stuffy boxes, missing pieces, and flat, unflattering photos of cottages – modern puzzles are full of life and color, and they remain the perfect companions to freshen up the day.

Picture this: You’ve made yourself a hot drink, tuned in to the radio – or your favorite audiobook or podcast – and the next hour or so is when you only have one job to do: put everything together.

Puzzles engage both the left (analytic) and right (creative) sides of the brain, which is why they can be a great brain booster when you’re feeling a bit sluggish. Relax with the old faithful, or push the boat out on a new challenge – either way, completing this comfortable, quiet activity is a great tool for recovery.

Make scrapbooks

Scrapbooking is an activity that supports us on two fronts. First, we get a conscious boost from working with our hands, and staying in the moment. The yard is a place where we can express ourselves creatively, and we can break out of our usual routines by creating something that feels authentic to ourselves.

The second benefit comes from the things that scrapbooks offer us, in particular. You may choose to use the space to store memorabilia, taking a trip down memory lane as you go. Or you can use the space as a vision board, adding clues about what you want to achieve in the future. Looking for more inspiration? We have a five step guide to get you started on your scrapbooking journey.

Get creative in the kitchen

Whether you like discovering the perfect spice mix for new dishes, or if baking and bread are more your thing, it’s well documented that baking and cooking are powerful tools for supporting our mental health and well-being.

So this weekend, why not push the boat and try a whole new recipe? If you need inspiration, one thing you’ll almost certainly find at most charity shops is a good collection of cookbooks that you can buy for cheap.

Turn on the soft jazz music, turn on the mood lighting and immerse yourself in the art of cooking.

Watch a nature show

Sometimes, the best cinematic experiences don’t happen in a dark room. When was the last time you made a conscious effort to watch a sunrise or sunset? Now might be the time to write this one up this weekend.

In interesting research by psychologist and psychology professor at the University of California, Dacher Keltner, it has been shown that feelings of ‘awe’ can reduce stress, help us deal with our ‘inner critic’, and even influence us to act altruistically towards others. .

So set your alarm, and head to higher ground. This is a show you don’t want to miss.