Ranger-led activity: Take a screen break
This Ranger-led activity is called "Take a screen break". This activity can be done by yourself or with friends. You can do as much or as little of this exercise as you want to.
Resilience Exercise
Troubling times combined with modern technology can easily suck you into a non-stop cycle of bad news that is also known as doomscrolling. This activity is a way to counter doomscrolling. All you need to do is get away from all screens for at least 20 minutes. If you find that hard to do, switch your devices off or install an application like Forest to discourage you from engaging with your phone. You can also give yourself a countdown (yes, like rocket launches!). Count backwards 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then put down your phone or switch off the distracting device.
If you're able to find a quiet, device-free place to be then go there. Heading outside for some fresh air would be ideal, but even some quiet time in a dark room can help settle your mind. Try doing this eye exercise or a repeating a simple mantra like "I am worthy of love, peace, and happiness" if you really need something to focus on while you take your screen break. You could also read a book, do some art, go for a walk — anything that doesn't involve a screen!
Vox has some more ideas on how to make your phone boring if you need them.
Reflection
Screen-based work and activities are a modern phenomenon. Researchers are still trying to determine the impacts all this screen time is having on people. These new devices have definitely changed how people interact with each other as well as how people spend their leisure time.
This article from Upworthy summarizes a very long Reddit thread about all the ways people spent their free time before screens became and ubiquitous feature in modern society. We approve of "this thing called outside". Read more here and get some ideas for non-screen things you can do: Older generations share what they did for fun before the internet era and it's a nostalgic trip
Action Opportunity
Have a conversation with another real live human being for at least fifteen minutes. This person could be a co-worker, a friend, or even some random person you've always wanted to introduce yourself to at the gym or the library. If you need some conversation starters, here are some things you can ask them:
"What is something that has been bringing you joy lately?"
"Have you read or watched something that you really enjoyed recently?"
"How are your kids/parents/pets/plants/[insert preferred lifeform here]?"
Bonus action opportunity: Call your elected representative's office to share concern or praise with them. If your representative is supporting the fascist actions being taken by the current presidential administration, state your concerns about this and pick one or two concerns to focus on. Elected officials do at least keep track of the topics of the calls. So even if your individual call feels like a waste of time, the overall call trends will get your representative's attention.
Don't forget that praise is an option too! If your representative has done something you liked recently, mention it. Positive reinforcement can be very effective.
