It’s really simple, choose to not be stuck in front of a screen when you’re away from work or school commitments, especially when you're at home. Instead be doing something productive, fun, and engaging that you really enjoy doing for the month of November.

There are no hard and fast rules, as we know we all need computers and phones for our work and to keep in contact with family. No Screen November isn't about throwing everything digital away for a month, it's about getting a better routine for your morning, evening and also your weekends.

No Screen November Guidelines;
• For one month, empower yourself with a digital detox
• Only use screens for work or school purposes
• To stop yourself from constantly reaching for your phone
• Or wasting time watching the TV or iPad
• Let alone losing a day playing computer games
• Doing activities to develop yourself, exploring old hobbies or finding new ones
• Enjoying the beauty and adventures that surrounds us all
• As a family, or just by yourself find what works best for you

It's a great opportunity to reconnect as a family, to spend time together without screens, to explore old hobbies and find new ones. Take the chance to break the cycle and reset our use of screens so they don't dominate our downtime.

You’ve nothing to lose by just giving it a go.

If you're not quite ready to dive headfirst into a month without screens, but still love the idea, how about starting with a shorter period? Maybe a week or two, or even for a weekend?

Just keep in mind, based on our experience, that it usually takes kids at least half a week to adjust to the idea of not using screens and to stop begging for them. But fear not, soon enough they accept the rules and move on.

Quick tip; the younger the kids, the faster they adapt to not using screens as often and stop automatically craving their digital devices. It's usually adults who struggle with the digital detox, particularly without ‘the socials’ in their downtime.

• Organise a long overdue dinner party or park bbq gathering. Because after all the lockdowns and disconnects we’ve been through in the last few years, imagine the possibilities when you have more time to invest a little extra effort into your dinner or catchup preparations with friends or family.

• If the household is finding it difficult with having screens, choose to have a movie night - instead of everyone watching their own separate screens, gather around as a family and enjoy a movie together.

• Alternatively, try having a fire in the backyard, under the night’s stars. It's the perfect setting for an evening of storytelling. Unleash your creativity and let your imaginations run wild as everyone takes turns weaving their own captivating tales. This is a surefire way to ignite the spark of imagination and strengthen the bonds between you all.

• But, if there is a TV show that the whole family or house loves to watch, make an exception for it, but for set amount of episodes or time you watch it for. This way, you can still enjoy your beloved show while maintaining a healthy balance.

• Last but not least, let's talk about setting boundaries. Limit the time that the TV can be used but don’t allow the use of any small screens, ensuring it remains a treat rather than a constant distraction. For example, you could establish a rule that the TV is only allowed on after 7:30 pm, with a designated finish time. This way, you don’t get lost in endless shows or endless scrolling.

Don't worry, kids are allowed to use screens at any time if it's for school work. We understand that completing homework, especially in high school, often requires the use of screens. So, go ahead and let them use their devices for educational purposes.

Just make sure their breaks from school work are away the screens doing something active instead.

Depending on your job, you may have to do some work from home. If that's the case, make sure you set a specific time to finish work and stick to it. We encourage you to keep your work outside of normal working hours to a minimum, but sometimes it's necessary. Just try to find a balance.

Absolutely! Mobile phones are meant for communication, and during No Screen November, talking to others is highly encouraged. Feel free to use your phone to connect with friends and family.

However, we suggest adjusting your 'Do Not Disturb' settings to avoid distractions and keeping your phone out of sight to resist temptation.

We understand that kids nowadays rely on various apps to socialize with their friends. During No Screen November, we encourage them to use their phones to talk to their friends and even plan meetups.

It's important for them to maintain their social connections while still participating in the challenge.

No Screen November aims to limit mindless and unproductive screen time. However, using an e-reader to read books is a fantastic use of your time.

So, for the purposes of this challenge, an e-reader is a great option for your downtime.

Absolutely! We totally get it - music is an incredible way to enhance your No Screen November experience. In today's digital age, many of us rely on streaming services accessed through screens to enjoy our favourite tunes. So, fear not! You can still use a device to listen to music.

However, we must acknowledge that this may create a lingering connection to screens, and the temptation to get lost in other digital distractions might be too strong.

But a solution can be to play some vinyl or pull out your old CDs, when did you last listen to a whole album, start to end?

Or see this as an opportunity to see some live music, whether with a friend as a catch-up or as bigger gathering at local gig or make a day, perhaps a weekend at a festival instead.

Technology has revolutionized our lives, providing us with an array of incredible tools to combat boredom. But here's the thing: boredom can actually be a powerful catalyst for creativity! Think about it: when we find ourselves in the clutches of boredom, we often resort to mindlessly scrolling through our devices. But what if we took away that option? Just imagine the endless possibilities that could unfold! Who knows what amazing things you could discover and create when boredom strikes? The sky's the limit!