Step into a world of connection with Spring Screen Break. It's time to recharge and rediscover the beauty around us. Join us in celebrating the outdoors, enjoying real-life interactions while taking a break from screens, and embracing life unplugged... A wonderful new campaign and challenge is launching this Spring in New Zealand, with the aim of sparking a global movement. Created by a mental health and wellbeing expert who works closely with families and educators, the initiative draws on the latest evidence about the impact of smartphones, social media, and Edtech. At its core, the campaign is about offering practical, empowering ways to reclaim our lives from technology—reducing harm and enhancing real-life connection, vitality, and wellness.
Spring is a time of new beginnings, a time to refresh, declutter, and reset. The Spring Equinox begins on the 21st of September, and we liked the idea of harnessing the natural energy of this important time of year to launch the campaign. Just like planting new seeds to grow and harvest later in the year—with nurturing and care—we can create an environment that fosters greater connection and real-life-enhancing activities in our day-to-day lives. Spring is the time when newness and freshness are all around, and you have the energy to engage in a challenge like clearing out a cupboard to make way for more order and space. It is a great feeling when you have taken the action of shifting stale, old energy.
When
Why it matters
Life is precious, yet modern life sees us consumed by scrolling, constantly stimulated and distracted which doesn't feel congruent to the premise that life is precious. By taking the opportunity to unplug together, we are giving ourselves permission to take back our lives, and live it on our terms - not big tech's.
Just like Dry July or Veganuary, where people stop drinking for the month or try out being vegan, this is a way to challenge yourself, with the help and momentum of many others doing the same thing at the same time. Collective action often results in permanent changes in habits and enhances people’s lives.
Tech isn’t going anywhere, but we can take back our relationship with it and challenge the norms that have developed over the last 15 years since smartphones came into existence. We can create new norms—we’ve done it before with removing lead from paint, wearing seatbelts, stopping smoking in public places, etc. We are capable of great shifts in behaviour and awareness.
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How to
take part
Simply put down your smartphone—or whichever tech you want to reset your habits with—and consciously choose how you want to spend this week in an offline way. You can try out a dumb phone, going back to the old-school 90s vibe. If it’s not possible to use a dumb phone, let people know you’re doing the challenge and won’t be using your phone 24/7. You’ll be available to pick up messages via your laptop. (I have a feature now where my phone rings through on my laptop, so I don’t need to have my phone on me.) Set up a time that you will check phone calls or texts. Delete all your apps for the week so you can’t just click and use them.
The other part of the equation is filling your time with activities that bring satisfaction and enjoyment. The week-long challenge encourages you to have fun experimenting with new activities—maybe get back on a bike or make nature art. The symbol for the week is a daisy chain, which represents everything we’re encouraging. The simple art of sitting in the grass, picking daisies, and making a daisy chain is a free, nature-based activity that feeds the soul. It helps break free from the chains of online norms—and it doesn’t need to cost you a cent.
Choosing to be more conscious with how you're using your phone will highlight when and why you get distracted and pulled into using it—and losing your attention. Big Tech is, after all, after one thing: your attention. But that’s in your hands—who and where you choose to spend your time is your decision.
We have resources for families and schools to use, which you can download for free. Our hope is that with more awareness and conscious use of offline activities—and the way they help you feel more connected and joyful—you’ll have the impetus and desire to make lasting changes to your digital life.
What better way to start the week than by bringing us into the moment you are in? What can you see, smell, hear, and taste? What are you feeling?
A big focus of this week is reconnection with the real world. Nature is ready for you to enjoy in many different ways. Show me some ideas.
One of the greatest gifts we have is our expression. Explore creativity in a myriad of ways. Have fun and don't let the perfection monster stop you expressing yourself!
Daily plan
Joining group activities is scientifically proven to be one of the best things you can do for your well-being. Take part in group art classes, games, sport, writers clubs, whatever floats your boat. The challenge is to get out of your comfort zone and join in a group activity this week.
Journaling has proven very effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Getting words or drawings down onto paper, without overthinking, frees you up, and your mind knows you are taking your worries, hopes and dreams seriously.
Fun, free outdoor
activity ideas
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Play is how we learn; for children in particular, this is their natural state. Get outside and into the dirt, build dens, play with Lego or anything - it doesn't matter. Just go and play freely with no agenda.
Appreciation or gratitude is a well-known way to improve your mental health. What you focus on grows; it's the science of pathways. Look for the good stuff, and you will start seeing more good stuff.
Download resources to enable you to make the most of your Spring Screen Break.
Download tool kits
Activities for the week
leading up to the 21st
Download resources to encourage connection and get your workplaces humming.
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