The Power of Pause: Unplug to Reconnect
Digital Wellness Challenge begins Feb. 15-27, 2026
What Is The Power of Pause?
The Power of Pause: Unplug to Reconnect is a two-week Digital Wellness Challenge inviting students and employees to take intentional breaks from screens and reconnect with themselves, others, and their surroundings through play, creativity, movement, and mindfulness.
This challenge isn’t about eliminating technology. It’s about becoming more intentional with it. Participants are encouraged to pause passive screen time and to explore screen-free moments that support well-being, focus, and connection in everyday life.
Why Digital Wellness Matters
Screens help us learn, work, and stay connected, but constant digital engagement can take a toll.
- Improve mood and emotional regulation
- Support better sleep and energy levels
- Reduce stress and mental fatigue
- Increase focus, creativity, and productivity
- Strengthen in-person social connections
Open to all students, faculty and staff
- Students explore balance, stress relief, and connection beyond academic and social screen use.
- Employees experiment with screen-free strategies that support focus, well-being, and work–life balance.
- Participants join separate student and employee challenges, with tailored programs and prizes, while sharing a common theme and campus-wide momentum.
How the challenge works
- Register for the kick-off and closing events on B-Engaged and complete a pre-challenge survey about your screen time at the kick-off
event.
- Kick-off events: Wired for Play: Unplug to Reconnect (Kick-Off Programs) Interactive sessions introducing the science behind digital overload and the benefits of play, movement, and screen-free connection. Includes light activities, reflection, and practical takeaways.
- Closing Events:
- Use your activity punch card to earn points for a raffle and prizes. Cards are provide at the kick-off events and B-Healthy tabling.
-
- Spending 30–60 minutes screen-free
- Playing a game (board, card, cultural, or movement-based)
- Attending a challenge program or tabling event
- Journaling or reflecting on unplugging
- Trying creative play (coloring, LEGO, puzzles, crafts)
- Connecting face-to-face with others
-
- Track and reflect: Participants track screen-time changes using their device settings, complete brief check-ins at events and submit a post-challenge reflection to be eligible for prizes. See below under "how to view your screen time" for instructions.
Incentives and prizes
Participants who complete the challenge are eligible for raffle prizes such as:
- Gift cards and wellness kits
- Weighted Bear or Blanket
- Earbuds
- Experience-based prizes (fitness, recreation)
Additional drawings occur at events to encourage continued participation.
How to view your screen time
For this challenge, proof that your screen time has decreased is all you need. See instruction on how to locate this information on your phone.
For iPhone/iPad/Mac and Apple devices:
- Open the Settings App on your device.
- Scroll down until you see a section marked as “Screen Time.” Press on this button.
- Inside this section you will find your screen time! You can see your average, which apps you spend the most time on, and more!
For Android/Samsung devices:
- Open the Settings App on your device.
- Find “Digital Wellbeing” and you should see all of the screen time information for your device. You can see your average, which apps you spend the most time on, and more!
What you’ll gain
- Better understand their relationship with technology
- Experience the mental and emotional benefits of screen-free time
- Identify at least one healthy habit to carry forward
- Feel more connected to campus and to others
Reset. Restore. Reconnect.
Small pauses can make a big difference. Join the challenge and explore what happens
when you step away from the screen and reconnect with what matters most.