I unplug to __________________

The teaser picture in the March 2 Springfield News-Sun caught my attention. Rob Rue, a friend and Springfield city commissioner, was standing with a group of students holding a sign that said "I UNPLUG TO __________." Hmmmm, wonder what this is about? In a few seconds I was reading the inspirational story of local students promoting the National Day of Unplugging from sunset on Friday, March 6 through sundown on Saturday, March 7.

What a great idea! And in line with enhancing relationship health through "connecting (in person) with loved ones and the community."

The Springfield Arts Council's Youth Arts Ambassadors are middle school and high school students who got the attention of community leaders and a proclamation from Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland designating this Friday as Springfield's Day of Unplugging.

Several elements stood out from this noteworthy effort:

• The students sought input from Mental Health professionals and learned the negative impact of kids who are overly reliant upon their phones. "They found a lot of kids sleep with their phones, which can affect sleep and brain development, (leading them to being) more depressed and anxious . . ."
• It seems that parents spend quite a bit of time on their phones, too. "The kids perceived their parents spend as much or more time on their phones. As adults, we want to model what we want to see for the kids," said Beth Dixon, who helped the group produce a play about modern day Romeo and Juliet, complete with electronics, obsessive selfies and texting.
• The prevention effort is being led by kids. Dixon added, "Kids listen to other kids rather than adults preaching what they should and shouldn't be doing."

So the idea behind Springfield's Day of Unplugging is to fill in the statement "I UNPLUG TO ___________" with alternatives to time spent on screens. Here are some examples:

Yeah, this is a great idea, and I'm inclined to participate. I UNPLUG TO put together a puzzle. How would you complete your UNPLUG statement?
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