Technology is a huge part of our daily lives. It does a lot to make our lives easier and keeps any information we want at our fingertips, but it can also be overwhelming. Even while we don't mean it, it isn't uncommon for someone to go less than an hour without using some sort of technology, especially a cell phone. We are always on social media or watching television or searching the web for nothing in particular. There are definitely times where we are actually using technology to achieve some practical goal or figure something out, but probably more where we use it to pass the time and we get dependent. Maybe it's just me, but when I give myself technology breaks or "unplug", I feel like I'm not being tied down by anything or anyone or filling my head with useless information and I actually have time to actively do things. Either way, here are a few alternatives to technology:

1. Read a book. Classic suggestion that all parents (and me) give.

2. Cook/bake something new. No matter how good Krabby Patties look on TV, you can't actually eat them.

3. Go to the beach. Where you lay in the sun or play in the water, but stay off your phone.

4. Exercise. Trust me, I know, watching Netflix on the couch is great, but the endorphin rush during and after exercise is pretty nice too.

5. Go for a drive. Clear your head, blast music, find new places.

6. Learn something new. Or, rather, have someone teach you something. I'm always bugging my dad with random questions about cars, just because I think it's fun to know things, no matter how random.

7. Work in the yard. Not my cup of tea, but if you like it, or you've never done any kind of yard work, try it out.

8. Go to a museum/zoo/park. Yes, it might cost money, but it could also be fun.

9. Go on a scavenger hunt/adventure. My friend and I recently decided to drive around all morning trying donuts from any new donut places we happened upon.

10. Make something. Draw, sculpt, paint, make a dream catcher, knit, anything. You might find yourself a new hobby.

If you do anything for an extended time without technology, especially if it's with other people, when you do use technology again, you'll wonder why you were ever using it so much in the first place. Which reminds me of a #11. Talk. If you're spending time with someone, don't be on your phone during a conversation, it's amazing how much easier conversation flows without distractions.