When the day feels like a whirlwind of activity with no downtime, most of us turn to our devices for a moment of peace and quiet away from the chaos. Whether that be a quick scroll on TikTok or an episode of “Gossip Girl,” that sliver of silence could also be found non-digitally. I’ve been trying to implement a couple of these tech-free ideas since watching “The Social Dilemma“ in Human Development class, a jarring film detailing the negative effects of social media.

While I wouldn’t describe myself as a traditionally artistic person, it is surprisingly relaxing to engage in art — even at a beginner level. Watercolor requires more supplies than simply coloring with markers, but it offers a more unique — and, in my opinion, less frustrating— experience. Since it is more abstract, rather than technical, I tell myself, “It’s watercolor, so how can it even look bad?” Hopefully this allows perfectionists to let go of the need for their art to be framed in the Louvre next to the Mona Lisa, and try an actually enjoyable activity.

For those who need a guide, allow me to introduce you to the world of “watercolor workbooks.” These are, essentially, coloring books made out of watercolor paper with designs printed on them. The book will set you up to successfully enjoy your time off your devices, leaving little room for constant frustration.

My only wish for my 10th birthday was to have a picnic. This isn’t a new obsession of mine, but it truly never gets old. Simply round up the miscellaneous snacks in your house, maybe throw a frozen pizza in the oven and haul them over to the beach or park — bonus points for picnicking during sunset. Somehow, sitting on the ground outdoors makes for the perfect dinner table.

The secret to a good picnic is good company. Try bringing a friend, family member or even pet along. Going on outings like these makes me so grateful to the people and nature around me and inspires me to make the most of it. There’s no need to wait until summer for perfect picnic weather because in Los Angeles, we can make any weather work. Just come equipped with two blankets — one to sit on, and one to wrap around you.

There’s nothing worse than being tired, sore from sports practice and still having a bunch of schoolwork to do. To make matters worse, you’re hungry for something sweet, and there’s nothing in the pantry. If you never hopped on the universal obsession with 5-minute-crafts as a kid, you know it’s never too late to get on the mug cake train. My personal favorite is a two-ingredient Oreo mug cake — it is the simplest and easiest to whip up and tastes even better with a little bit of vanilla ice cream. Sometimes all you need is a quick sweet treat to decompress from your long day. These mug cakes are the perfect portion for one person, so no need to share with your sibling — please, I insist.

I’m realizing that some of my favorite non-digital activities are ones that don’t necessarily fit into my existing skillset. That’s honestly my favorite part; I don’t have to worry about how well I’m doing something, just the fact that I’m trying it at all. Dancing is one of those activities. Being able to play around with unchoreographed movement gives you that little bit of dopamine to get your day back on track. A UCLA study showed that 81% of study participants reported that “conscious dance” helped them cope with various conditions ranging from “chronic pain, history of substance abuse or addiction, depression, anxiety or history of trauma.” This is your sign to turn up that playlist and get on you own personal dance floor (I’d recommend your kitchen).

As wonderful as it is to take care of yourself on the inside, sometimes you need a little pampering on the outside to be able to fully feel it. This could be anything from a face mask to a hair mask, or even a nice long hot shower. But here’s the challenge: While that face mask is sitting or your hair is slathered in conditioner, you cannot go on your devices. Try to embrace the boredom and immerse yourself in… nothing. It’s okay to be bored (which I’m sure your parents told you when you were 8 years old, complaining in the backseat of the car), so just let that facial serum soak in as you lay down and close your eyes. If you’re in the mood for an extra challenge, set a timer on your phone for 20 minutes, and if you look at your phone to see how much time you have left, you lose and must start over.