The Global Day of Unplugging is an annual event that happens the first Friday in March and encourages families to step away from screens to spend time with one another.
To help celebrate the day, "Good Morning America" tapped parenting expert Ericka Souter to discuss how families might go about "unplugging."
Souter said the most important way to disconnect is obvious: Turn off your phones, computers, televisions, personal assistants and video games.
"The point of this day is to show us that we don't need our devices in hand all the time," Souter said. "This is a terrifying prospect for most -- but take comfort in the fact you will be sleeping for a chunk of it."
She also had several suggestions on what you and your family can do in that screen-free time that could easily fill up a whole day.
You don't need any special accessories," she explained. "Make a list of things you would find outdoors: a green car, a red bird, someone wearing orange sneakers, a little dog, a big dog, someone laughing, a spider web. And have little prizes -- little incentives make it more fun."
Souter's ideas for kindness are simple yet impactful ways to reach out and improve your community.
"We plan to take cookies to the firehouse across the street," she told "GMA," adding, "It could be bringing a single flower to a neighbor or shoveling a neighbor's snow."
Plenty of us have far more material goods than we actually need, so consider shedding some excess to help a good cause.
"Everyone can go through their closets, books and toy bins and find items to donate," Souter said.
A day of unplugging is the perfect time to try a new recipe together as a family. Whether your family loves pancakes or prefers a savory meal using a viral chicken hack, try writing the recipes down ahead of time to avoid scrolling during your no-screen time.
While Souter suggests options like "origami, dance moves or knitting," the options are endless for what you can learn as a family. Try browsing activity books or looking up local classes to see what's available in your area.
In addition to the above suggestions, crafting and games are also great ways to spend your day unplugged! Below, you'll find suggestions from the owner of Craft Studio NYC, Lindsey Peers, as well as some other "GMA" picks for games to play to keep you off your phone and more in tune with one another.
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You can carefully cut a tennis ball in half to use as a mold, or pick up the molds we've linked below to create a fun bath bomb at home.
"Mix dry ingredients in large bowl, wet ingredients in small bowl," Peers said of the super-simple, at-home spa day craft. "Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir quickly! Mix until it feels light and fluffy, then completely fill both halves of the ball or mold and push together until locked in place!"
Once they're dry, add them to a hot bath for a relaxing soak.
Ingredients
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup citric acid
1/2 cup baking soda
1/3 cup Epsom salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coconut or castor oil
1/2 teaspoon essential oil
1/2 tablespoon water
food coloring
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This recipe is even easier! Simply combine all of the ingredients into one bowl, then stir together and divide into storage jars.
Ingredients
1 cup cane sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons safflower oil
5 to 10 drops lemon essential oil
5 to 10 drops lavender essential oil
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This recipe makes six to eight lip balms, depending on your storage containers. Simply add all ingredients to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until the mixture is melted. Once that's done, carefully scoop the mixture into containers and place them in the fridge to harden.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons beeswax
4 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
5 to 10 drops lavender essential oil
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