Unplug to Recharge

Most moms I know, whether moms of babies or moms of teenagers, are burned out. They are burning the candle at both ends. Moms have always been busy but now we fill every spare second with technology. We are addicted to our phone, facebook and the such.

Our addiction to smart phones is associated with everything from car accidents to train accidents, from family dysfunction to work problems.  At Stroller Strides, every employee is suggested to take an Unplugged Day.  Each employee should take one day off a month and literally unplug their phones, email, texting, skype, instant messaging, etc.  I believe that new ideas will come when we create a little space for them.

Try an Unplugged day for yourself or your family. As a mom, we are not concentrating on our kids when we are scrolling through our facebook posts.  It’s hard to stop… I know! So I ask myself,

Do I want my child to text and drive? 
Do I want my child to take calls at dinner? 
Do I want my child to be on Facebook when doing homework?

No? Then we better curb our actions now because they are watching and learning. They are being raised in this tech-connected age so it will be much harder for them to escape.

Me? I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Linked In, etc. But in my heart, I know that we all need to UNPLUG from time to time!

Need to recharge? Here are 100 ways without technology!

1. Yoga
2. Visit the produce isle at the grocery store
3. Talk on the phone to your best friend
4. Any kind of pampering
5. Write a letter
6. 5 minutes of yoga breathing
7. Upbeat music
8. Meditation
9. Brisk outdoor walk
10. Doodle
11. Journal
12. Any hobby from sewing to reading
13. A mug of herbal tea
14. A hug from your kids
15. Good friends, great wine, fabulous conversation
16. Massage
17. Conscious breathing
18. Get your hair done
19. Cook
20. Bake
21. Dance
22. Take a bubble bath
23. Get  nails done
24. Give yourself a pedicure
25. Give yourself a facial
26. Workout
27. Go for a hike
28. Give. Find a way to do something nice for someone else.
29. Charity
30. Garden
31. Buy fresh flowers
32. Pet an animal
33. Go to a farmers market
34. Read the bible (or whatever spiritual reading you choose)
35. Go to the beach
36. Go to a lake
37. Swim
38. Be in nature
39. Listen to a favorite CD
40. Read an inspiring quote
41. Write poetry
42. Scrapbook
43. Paint
44. Draw
45. Get organized
46. Put on something sexy
47. Get your hair done
48. Play a game
49. Volunteer
50. Stretch
51. Learn something new
52. Have a girls night
53. Have a girls weekend
54. Connect with a girlfriend
55. Have a one on one date with any member of your family
56. Light a candle
57. Give a gift to someone just because
58. Eat clean foods
59. Try a new workout
60. Play a sport
61. Play an instrument
62. Read a magazine
63. Laugh
64. Be quiet
65. Look through old pictures
66. Go for a drive
67. Go on a vacation
68. Go to a museum
69. Sit by a fireplace
70. Sit in a hot tub
71. Wine tasting
72. Get something done that you have put off
73. Have your feet rubbed
74. Take a mommy “time out”
75. Watch an inspirational video
76. Go to a movie in the middle of the day
77. Go away by yourself
78. Float on a raft in the pool
79. Blog
80. Walk your dog
81. Go to church or temple
82. Pray
83. Conscious breathing
84. Aromatherapy
85. Put on a good smelling lotion
86. Put cucumber on your eyes
87. Make yourself spa water (with cucumber or mint)
88. Go to a comedy club
89. Play in the snow
90. Organize a drawer or closet
91. Help someone else
92. Cuddle with a favorite blanket
93. Talk to spouse with no tv, phone or interruptions
94. Have an orgasm
95. Salt scrub and exfoliate body
96. Get rid of clutter
97. Sit and enjoy a cup of tea or a cup of coffee
98. Stay in pajamas all day just because
99. Listen to the ocean
100. Take the time to enjoy your family