Please visit www.crpd.org/reg and type in Keyword: UNPLUG to check out our many program offerings available to our community on Saturday, March 7.

Spending time outdoors and unplugging from technology provides proven mental and physical benefits. Just 20 minutes in nature can lower stress hormones, improve mood, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Outdoor activities like walking, hiking, and cycling strengthen the heart, boost immunity, and improve sleep—helping both body and mind recharge.

Excessive screen time, especially on social media, is linked to higher stress, poor sleep, and increased anxiety. Children now spend much of their free time online, often because their real-world independence has been restricted. A 2024 Harris Poll found that most children ages 8–12 have smartphones and online friends, yet many aren’t allowed to play unsupervised—even in their own front yards. Cultural fears of injury or abduction have drastically reduced kids’ independence, leaving screens as one of the few outlets for freedom and connection.

When surveyed, kids overwhelmingly shared that they would spend less time online if they had more friends to play with in person. This highlights that digital devices are often filling the gap left by limited outdoor freedom. Unstructured, unsupervised, in-person play—without screens—was the clear favorite when asked about their ideal way to spend time with friends.

The Global Day of Unplugging, celebrated every March, encourages people of all ages to step away from screens and reconnect with nature, friends, and family. Whether for one hour or a full day, the message is simple: put down your devices, step outside, and find your outlet.