Unplugged for the Holidays
Reclaiming Rest in a Screen-Heavy Season
Let’s face it: the holiday season is stressful. Finding the perfect gift, watching our bank account dwindle, navigating crowded airports and highway traffic, and managing tricky family dynamics can lead to stress and anxiety for many of us.
The desire to mentally check out with our best friend, the cell phone, is strong these days.
Yet we may notice that the more time we spend staring at a screen, mindlessly scrolling TikToks, or worse yet, doomscrolling through today’s Worst News Ever, the worse we feel.
Fatigue sets in. We get grouchy and feel lethargic. Perhaps we’re avoiding grandma’s latest political rant by taking a little extra time in the bathroom to watch YouTube videos in between dinner and dessert.
Spending time on phones, particularly on social media, gives the illusion of relaxation.
However, it is simply that: an illusion.
How do we navigate the holidays without sneaking off into the bathroom to dive into a sea of TikToks or spending 18 hours a day on our phones?
Here are a few quick tips to get through the holidays and leave your phone behind:
Set social boundaries: Silence non-essential notifications for a few hours each day.
Anchor offline rituals: A morning coffee with no screen; a nightly walk after dinner.
Designate “phone zones” — decide where your phone doesn’t go (e.g., dinner table, bedroom).
One photo, then pocket it: Take a holiday photo or two, then put your phone away to enjoy the moment.
Notice your habits: Ask, “Am I connecting or numbing out?” before opening an app.
How do you find digital balance during the holidays?
What helps you stay present with the people (and moments) you care about most?
Beyond the Screen explores how technology shapes our inner lives. If you’re trying to step away from your phone this season — even for a few moments — you’re already doing the work.
All great practical things we can do!
All great tips! Funnily enough, one of my stress buster is reading a book - which these days mean reading on Kindle! So, still a digital device, but not the phone or social media. :)