People today spend way too much time online. Phones, laptops, and social media are everywhere.

It sometimes feels impossible to escape them and unplug. I do understand that the internet is important. School assignments are submitted online, people communicate through social media and many jobs depend on computers and the internet. Being online is not always a bad thing.

Even though being online is necessary, it doesn’t mean we should spend all our time there.

I feel like many people forget to experience real life outside of their screens. Instead of going outside or doing something active, people scroll through TikTok or Instagram.

While that can be fun, we should also prioritize human interaction rather than spending 8 to 12 hours a day scrolling through social media. It has become normal to spend most of the day staring at a screen, and it’s strange that this has become our new normal.

What people need to remember is that the real world still matters. Going outside can really make a significant difference in your life. Something as small as taking a walk, sitting in a park or having a picnic can help people relax and clear their minds. These are simple activities, but many people don’t take the time to do them anymore.

Sometimes people joke about “touching grass,” but honestly, it is good advice. Spending time outside helps people reconnect with reality and improve their mental health.

Walking outside can remind you there’s more to life than likes and social media. Talking to friends in person, enjoying nature and moving our bodies are all things that can improve our mood and mental health.

I am not saying technology is the enemy. The internet helps us learn and stay informed, but we shouldn’t rely on it as our only form of communication. When we spend too much time on our phones, that’s when it becomes a problem.

We end up scrolling instead of spending time with the people around us. People should still use technology when they need it, but they should also make time to step away from the screen.

At the end of the day, logging off for a little while and going outside might be one of the healthiest things we can do. Sometimes the best thing for us really is to close the laptop, put down the phone, and go touch some grass.