Less Screen & More Green
How Digital Detox Supports Both Mental Health and Sustainability
By CSAC Vice-Chair Nyssa Mitra
It’s Foster City! We’re known for our beautiful lagoons and green spaces. But what if our screen habits are silently impacting the environment we love? With every scroll and notification, we consume more energy, contribute to e-waste, and disconnect from the natural world.
A digital detox is about stepping away from the constant buzz of screens. It’s a chance to pause, unplug, and reconnect with the world around you. It can be for a few hours, a day, or even longer, but disconnecting allows you to recharge your mind and body, reducing stress and digital burnout. And in a community like ours, where the beauty of nature is so integral to our way of life, a digital detox can also be a powerful way to protect the environment we cherish.
It’s not just Foster City– we all live in a world where pretty much everything we do happens on our screens—whether it's working, learning, connecting with friends, or even ordering pizza. I’m not asking anyone to give up their screens completely—let’s be real, even I can't commit to that. After all, how else would I turn in assignments, binge-watch my favorite shows, or order pizza (yes, I love pizza)? But here's the thing: while our screens are essential, taking regular breaks from them can help us be more focused, reduce stress, and—bonus—help preserve the environment. It’s not about ditching screens; it’s about finding a balance.
Here are three simple tips to help you take periodic breaks from your screens, boosting both your mental health and the environment:
- Create Intentional Screen-Free Spaces - Foster City offers plenty of peaceful spots, like a quiet bench by the lagoon or your living room, where you can disconnect. Designate these spaces as screen-free zones to engage with your surroundings fully.
- Set Screen Time Boundaries - We all get sucked into endless scrolling, but by setting boundaries—like limiting time on social media or work emails—you can reclaim those 30 minutes a day for hobbies!
- Skip Screens Before Bed - After a full day of screen time, it’s important to give both your mind and the environment a break. By turning off your devices 30 minutes before bed, you’re improving your sleep and reducing unnecessary energy use, helping to lower your carbon footprint and protect the environment while you rest.
By taking small steps to disconnect, you’re boosting your mental health and helping create a more sustainable future for our community and planet. Let's find balance—both in our lives and in how we interact with the world around us. Let’s use less screens and be more green!