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Does it ever feel like your student is glued to their phone? That’s probably because, well, they are. And they may be experiencing negative health effects as a result.Ìý

Spending excess time on digital devices, like phones and laptops, can negatively impact things like sleep quality, mental health, belonging and connection, self-esteem and even academic performance.Ìý

Taking time to intentionally step away from their devices can help students mitigate these effects. In fact, going screen-free, even for a few hours, can help your student relax, boost their creativity, connect on a deeper level and enjoy meaningful experiences.ÌýÌý

If your student has been feeling in a rut or simply wants to take a break, here are a few screen-free things they can do to get away from technology.Ìý

1. Go geocaching Ìý

Encourage your student to join the world’s largest outdoor treasure-hunting community! Millions of clever containers, known as geocaches, are hidden around the world, including some right here in Boulder. Your student can join the search by downloading the free Geocaching app, which will walk them through their first treasure hunt. Geocaching is not only a fun challenge, but it can be a great way to get outside, add adventure to your student’s routine and have fun with friends.Ìý

Don’t let the snow stop youÌý
If your student wants to go geocaching in snowy weather, remind them to dress in layers. They can also rent snowshoes, winter boots, insulated pants and jackets from Outdoor Pursuits at The Rec.Ìý

2. Dive into a DIY projectÌýÌý

DIY projects are a great way for students to express their creativity and their space on a budget. Your student can start their projects by joining Center for Student Involvement for free DIY Nights every month. All supplies are provided, and they can easily . Upcoming projects include candle making, sock animals, tie blankets, soap making, succulent origami and much more! They also have sessions that allow students to choose your own crafting adventure.Ìý

3. Zen out over lunchÌý

Does your student need to take a break from their busy schedule? Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers a free Feel Good Friday meditation each week from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. at the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Art Museum. This meditation workshop features a piece of artwork on display that relates to mindfulness.Ìý

4. Take a day tripÌý

Did you know that students can visit museums and other attractions for free? The , which covers most Denver Metro counties, offers free admission to art and science museums, cultural heritage sites and more on specific days throughout the year. This means your student can visit places like the Denver Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Molly Brown House and much more for free. Encourage them to check out the full online to plan their trip.Ìý

Free Cultural PassesÌý
Did you also know that many libraries also offer Cultural Passes? These passes are available to check out for free entry to local cultural attractions. To reserve a Cultural Pass, students must have a valid library card. Library cards are available for free to all Colorado residents. They can even sign up for a library card within neighboring counties or regions.ÌýÌý

Participating libraries include the Boulder County Public Library, Denver Public Libraries, Demis Public Library (Littleton), Douglas County Libraries, Louisville Public Library, Jefferson County Public Libraries and more.Ìý

5. Get together for gamesÌý

Whether your student wants to be inside or outdoors, there are plenty of ways for them to get together for games with friends on campus. Here are a few to try:Ìý

6. VolunteerÌý

Volunteering doesn’t just make our community better — it can help students feel better, too. In fact, studies have shown that volunteering can help us all feel better, improve our connection with others and provide a sense of meaning and purpose. The best part is that there are volunteer opportunities for every interest, skill set and schedule available.Ìý

Encourage your student to check out theÌýVolunteer Resource CenterÌýfor aÌýÌýaround Boulder. Don’t have time to commit to a regular volunteer schedule? That’s okay! Many organizations have flexible scheduling options and drop-in opportunities available to students. They can even sign up with friends as part of a group volunteer project.Ìý

7. Declutter their spaceÌý

Okay fine, this one isn’t as fun, but it’s still likely to have an impact on your student. When we live in spaces that are cluttered by excess belongings, it can influence stress, sleep, mood, relationships, self-perception and productivity. Removing excess items can help your student feel better and support their well-being.Ìý

Remind them that they don’t even have to do it all at once. In fact, it’s usually better to start small to avoid getting overwhelmed by the process. Here are a few ways to practice small-scale decluttering:Ìý

• Start with a smaller area.ÌýRemind your student to avoid tackling their entire home or even their entire closet at once. Instead, encourage them to choose a small area to focus on, such as a single bathroom or kitchen drawer, their nightstand or a single category of clothing like socks or pants.Ìý
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• Pick a set number of items.ÌýSometimes decluttering can be difficult because there are bound to be items that end up in our ‘maybe’ pile, which can be overwhelming for some people. A good way to avoid this is to choose a set number of items they’d like to get rid of in one day or one weekend. For instance, they may choose to donate or discard 10 items. This allows students to more easily pick out items they know they don’t want to keep without spending too much time deliberating.Ìý
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• Set a timer.ÌýEncourage your student to take their time when it comes to decluttering. Instead of dedicating a whole day to the activity, consider setting a timer for 15 to 30 minutes and get as much done as they can. Your student can easily pair this with one of the strategies above to help them limit how much time they're dedicating to a specific area or number of items. This can also help them choose between decluttering projects that are manageable within a set amount of time.Ìý

Declutter with the environment in mindÌý
If your student has items they don’t want, remind them to consider whether they can sell them, donate them or just trash them.ÌýÌý

Selling.ÌýSelling items can take a lot of time and energy. This is because students need to take photos, write descriptions, post them online and potentially haggle with buyers. Encourage your student to consider how much they're willing to put into selling an item. For instance, if they plan to sell a shirt for $5 or $10, it may be less stressful to let it go to a donation center.Ìý

Donating.ÌýThere are a variety of donation centers in and around Boulder, including national chains like Goodwill and smaller non-profits like A Precious Child. Before they donate items, remind them to check online to see what kind of items donation centers accept and in what condition. Encourage your student to avoid donating items that are stained, ripped, broken or missing parts.Ìý

Trash.ÌýWhile it’s not ideal, some items simply can’t be sold, donated or saved. In these cases, it may be best for your student to look into ways to dispose of them in the trash or recycling.Ìý

°Õ³ó±ðÌýEnvironmental CenterÌýon campus is a great resource to help you figure out how to best repurpose or discard items and live more sustainably by avoiding overconsumption. This is also a great time to start planning what your student will do with their items if they plan to move out of a residence hall or change their living situation off campus before move-out day comes.Ìý

8. Get creative in the kitchenÌý

Cooking can be a great way for students to express their creativity. It can also be a fun way to hang out with friends. One low-stress option is to host a build-your-own pizza night. Students can invite friends to bring a variety of ingredients to share and make personal sized pizzas.ÌýÌý

Do they want to be extra creative in the kitchen? Here are some out-of-the-box pizza ideas they can try:Ìý

• Taco pizza:ÌýTaco Tuesday just got more interesting. Your student can try this out by topping their pizza with queso sauce, seasoned ground beef and cheddar cheese. They can also add toppings like pico de gallo, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream after baking.Ìý
• Breakfast pizza:ÌýWho doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Your student can enjoy a delicious breakfast pizza by topping their dough with thawed hashbrowns, cooked breakfast sausage or ham, eggs and cheese. They can also add omelet toppings like bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach and more.Ìý
• Baked potato pizza:ÌýPotatoes are delicious in any form, including on pizza. Students can simply top their crust with a few wedges of baked potatoes (they can make these in the microwave), butter, cheese and seasonings. Make sure they don’t forget to add their favorite loaded toppings after baking, like sour cream, crumbled bacon and even more cheese.Ìý
• Hummus pizza:ÌýIs your student looking for a vegetarian or vegan option? Encourage them to try out a hummus pizza by pre-baking their crust and adding hummus, seasonings, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and olives once it has cooled.Ìý

Connect with resourcesÌý

Is your student looking for more screen-free ways to destress and feel better? Encourage them to check out these resources on campus.Ìý