“Pleeeease, just five more minutes!?” is a phrase many of us have heard a time or two, if you’ve even been near a child who is being asked to pause or put the screen down and prepare for the next activity, leave their current
location, or get ready for dinner or bedtime. However, before technology held such a tight grip on our brain’s reward system, the request for more time was just as desired.
For those familiar with the Country hit, “Five More Minutes” by Scotty McCreery, a young man yearns for just a few more moments on his first date. For many of us, we hit that snooze button without a second thought, allowing ourselves those precious extra seconds before taking on the day. Or, perhaps, you grew up on a cul-de-sac with similar-aged kids, dreading the call in from one of your parents, exclaiming that it was too dark to be outside or that dinner was ready… Or, maybe that was just me? No application on an iPad, computer, TV, phone, or any other screen could top the experience of belly laughs, wind in my hair, and scraped knees that came from playing outside.
Some of us might consider our Red Rover, Red Rover, Cops and Robbers, and Capture the Flag days behind us. And, many of us may not even remember the last time we felt the sun’s golden blanket cover our faces. Perhaps that’s because the sun rises after clocking into work and sets before it is time to clock out, or because the majority of the day is devoted to cooking, cleaning, and planning, which are often indoor tasks. It is also possible, and understandable, that many of us might be choosing to “doom scroll” with the leftover time the day has left us.
But why do we aimlessly scour social media or find ourselves unable to put the phone away, glancing at random videos, nameless strangers, or adorable dog and baby interactions? Why do we always wish for five more
minutes on our phones instead of anything else worth pining after? Because these screens are designed to make us addicted. Don’t let them win!
Okay, so you probably understand by now this newsletter is vouching for the good of society to “hang up and hang out outdoors.” But why would I care so much as to write this article in order to plead that of you?
1. As guardians, caretakers, and parents of youth, we have a special responsibility and a unique honor, if you choose to view it as such, to model healthy behaviors so that the upcoming generation replicates them. Putting
your own screen down could be the reason your child and those around you do too.
2. It benefits each of you individually. The combination of less screen time and more green time for both adults and children is even better than Applebee’s two-for-one special. For adults, research shows decreased stress
levels and blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health and mental clarity, and regulates the body’s circadian rhythm and sleep quality. And for the kiddos, this phenomenon enhances their gross motor skills (big body movements), heightens brain function, reduces obesity risks, and boosts social skills and sensory regulation (body control). Talk about feeding multiple birds with one scone!
3. It benefits the relationship between the parent or adult and the child(ren). Out of all that the world of counseling and play therapy has taught me, nothing quite stands out more than the importance of relationship
building. And there is nothing more special to a child than the connection they have with their parent(s). Spending time outside with your child just might knock your socks off one day when they begin to crave outdoor, in-person interaction with you and others over technological conversations with anonymous people whom they know nothing about. Why not feed into that?
When arranging the day’s to-do list, ask yourself, “Could I do this outside?” or, “Could we do this outside together?” Whether that’s eating lunch or dinner, reading a book, tossing/kicking a ball, meditating, playing
games, bringing the yoga class outside, chalking up the sidewalk, or taking a walk while on a phone call. There are many ways to get creative here. If today does not look probable to catch some Vitamin D, here’s some
good news: the sun will rise again tomorrow. Give yourself some grace here and there.
But let’s welcome spring by rightfully taking advantage of its beautiful colors, glorious sunshine, and rising temperatures. Spring is practically asking for us to put it to good use.
So, keep the phone inside and head outside!
Who knows, after a while, you just might find yourself begging your child, “Pleeeease, just five more minutes!?”
Insights Therapist