We love our screens. Our phones wake us up, keep us company in lineups, help us shop, socialize, work, relax, and procrastinate like champs. Screens are convenient and entertaining, but the downsides are real.
Screen time can take a toll on our health and well-being, causing physical effects like eye strain, disrupted sleep, and reduced movement. Staring at a device for too long also brings mental health challenges like increased anxiety and feelings of isolation.
Leisure screen time alone jumped by 13 percent between 2018 and 2025, according to a study by Montreal public health officials. That’s a lot of scrolling. At some point, our bodies and brains start tapping us on the shoulder, saying, “Uh, maybe stand up or talk to an actual human?”
We could all use a friendly nudge toward real-world alternatives that still give us what we’re looking for when we reach for our phones in the first place. Screens meet very human needs, including entertainment, connection, distraction, and even practical tasks. The trick is finding ways to meet those needs offline.“This isn’t about avoiding screens completely. That’s not realistic. It’s about balance,” says Dr. Nikki Venere Brenner, Registered Psychotherapist and Founder of The Mind People in Oakville.
“Losing authentic connection within real-world interactions can increase the likelihood of relational problems,” Dr. Venere Brenner explains. “From a neurological standpoint, excessive screen use affects the natural release of dopamine. This can intensify the need for immediate gratification, which typically leads to more self-indulgent activities and even more screen use.”
Dr. Venere Brenner suggests putting our screens down regularly and finding opportunities for entertainment and connection offline. Playing games, crafting, taking a dance class, joining a social club, or browsing in an actual brick-and-mortar store are all accessible activities that can help break the cycle of mind-numbing screen scrolling.
Game
If Candy Crush is your jam, board games are just as fun, probably more. Games get people laughing and interacting face-to-face. Gather at someone’s house or meet up at a game cafe like Nostalgia Games Cafe and fill your social bucket.
Craft
If your browsing history is filled with Pinterest, Instagram, or Etsy links, crafting can scratch that same itch. Knitting circles, paint nights, or pottery classes can give you some creative satisfaction without the algorithm deciding what you see next. You still get creative inspiration, but with the bonus of conversation, snacks, and even something tangible to take home.
Move
If your screen time is about blowing off steam, physical outlets do that job better than a thousand angry tweets. Activities like paintball, rock climbing, swimming, hiking, pickleball, yoga, or walking with a friend can elevate both your heart rate and your mood. Movement helps regulate emotions, improves sleep, and burns off the restless energy that no app ever quite fixes.
Connect
If you grab your iPad to feel connected, social nights out can fill that cup way more effectively. Trivia nights, comedy shows, live music events, book clubs, and community classes offer low-pressure ways to socialize. You don’t need a clever caption. Just show up and be authentically you.
You’ll never return home from an outing saying, “Sure wish I’d stayed home alone with my laptop.”
Yes, Shopping Counts!
If online browsing is your go-to pastime, try making it an outing instead. Walkable areas give you the same “browse and discover” feeling, but with fresh air and human contact. Bronte Village and Downtown Oakville are perfect for wandering, with stops at local coffee shops and boutiques.
Grab an ice cream on the Burlington waterfront and take a walk on the pier, then explore the shops along historic Brant Street. A short GO Train trip into Toronto opens up places like Kensington Market, Chinatown, Queen West, and Queen’s Quay, all packed with character and people watching. Hamilton has its own gems too, with cool art districts, vintage shops, and markets worth exploring.
You’ll never return home from an outing saying, “Sure wish I’d stayed home alone with my laptop.”
Local Links to Off-Screen Fun
The Mind People, Oakville
themindpeople.ca
Inye Yoga, Oakville
inyeyoga.com
Paintball Nation, Burlington
paintballnation.ca
Climber’s Rock, Burlington
climbersrock.com
Nostalgia Games Cafe, Burlington
nostalgiagamescafe.com
Game Time Social, Burlington
gametimesocial.ca
Creative Insight Pottery, Waterdown
creativeinsightpottery.com
Artfully You Paint Nights, Waterdown
artfullyyou.ca/paint-nights
Pottery N’ Paint, Burlington
potterynpaintcafe.com
Yuk Yuks Burlington
yukyuks.com/burlington
Club 54 Comedy, Burlington
club54.ca/comedy-at-club-54
Bronte Village, Oakville
bronte-village.ca
Oak Cafe Gallery, Oakville
oakcafe.ca
Peach Coffee Co., Aldershot, Roseland, Bronte
peachcoffeeco.com
BY LISA THORNBURY
