Activities for students during internet blackout

We all get too much screen time these days. But what to do when you truly want to step away from your phone or laptop for a few minutes? We put together some super easy (and mostly free-of-charge) things to do the next time you want to disconnect from technology. From catnapping to colouring, here are ways to have fun that don’t require Wi-Fi

Get outside and walk

It might seem like a no-brainer, but one of the easiest (and cheapest) things you can do when you’re sick of being on your phone or computer is to go for a nice long walk. Whether it’s a stroll through your local park or a brisk walk around, getting outside for some fresh air is a  way to re-energise. Don’t forget your mask though.

Pick up a magazine

Print media isn’t dead; it’s just been waiting for you to sign off. Instead of wasting a Sunday afternoon mindlessly scrolling through your social media feeds, try picking up the latest edition of your favourite magazine (or some treasured retro ones) and read along!

Colour something

If you weren’t already hip to the benefits of colouring, then now’s the time to smarten up. Believed to reduce stress and promote creativity, it’s pretty much the best way to unwind at the end of the day (and doesn’t require any Wi-Fi).

Or a really good book

The only thing better than picking up a magazine is getting lost in a really good book for a few hours. Do your brain a favour and devote some downtime to reading a real book (eBooks are fine as long as you stay away from your web browser) and actually use your imagination for a while.

Start a home recycling system

While you’re busy getting rid of all your old unnecessary paperwork, why not finally forge a simple home recycling system while you’re at it? You can use everything from tote bags to laundry baskets to sort your recyclables, and you’ll be making the world a really better place while you’re taking a technology break.

Cook something that you know by heart

Bored with being online but not sure what to do to stay busy? Bake something simple and delicious from-scratch—think chocolate chip cookies or quiche—and treat yourself to a short (and savoury) break from technology.

Infuse some lagom in your life

Lagom is a Swedish lifestyle trend that’s all about finding balance in your everyday life. Use this time offline to consciously make your home and brain a more streamlined space, by infusing some lagom into your life and clearing out the clutter.

Organise your junk drawer

What better time than now to finally get that crowded junk drawer under control? Keep your mind (and hands) busy for at least an hour by cleaning out and organising the messiest drawer—or closet, if you’re feeling adventurous—in your place.

Feeling bored but ambitious? Pull out your neglected art supplies and use this opportunity to make something simple but fabulous for your home. Whether it’s painting an old piece of furniture or shibori-dying your dishtowels, crafting will keep you busy.

Upgrade your bedroom

Your bedroom is where you spend the most time recharging, but it’s often the room we neglect the most. Take advantage of your desire to disconnect and spend an afternoon sprucing up your bedroom—think: a solid closet-cleanout, rearranging your furniture, or simply softening up your bed.

DIY something

Feeling bored but ambitious? Pull out your neglected art supplies and use this opportunity to make something simple but fabulous for your home. Whether it’s painting an old piece of furniture or shibori-dying your dishtowels, crafting will keep you busy.

Plant something

Searching for an inexpensive way to breathe easier while you’re at home? Houseplants can naturally purify the air in your apartment and give you a fun excuse to stay off your smartphone. Start today by planting some indoor varieties of plants in your home.

Listen to Podcast

If you don’t have an internet connection, you can still listen to podcast episodes – again, it just takes a little preparation.

How to: If you have an Android device, there are a few different ways to listen to podcasts online and offline. Try the  Stitcher app. In what they call “offline mode,” you can listen to previously downloaded podcast episodes without wifi.

Read articles offline

Most of the time, when we read articles, we’re browsing through them online. But there are a lot of ways you can read the articles you want without an internet connection – it just takes a little bit of preparation ahead of time.

Where? Pocket is a free app for saving all the articles you stumble on when you don’t have time to read them. This will allow you to easily catch up on them later. The app lets you save articles, videos, and images either from your browser or from over 1,500 apps like Twitter, Flipboard, Pulse.