University Of Southern Indiana's Historic New Harmony Hosts A No Digital Weekend October 2 And 3

Press release from the University of Southern Indiana:

September 24, 2021

The University of Southern Indiana’s Historic New Harmony is hosting a No Digital Weekend, Saturday and Sunday October 2 and 3 to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Robert Owen's birth.

As part of the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Robert Owen's birth, Historic New Harmony is inviting people to New Harmony and asking for people to intentionally unplug for the weekend.

“We want to celebrate the ingenuity and creativity of human beings without the constant distraction of the technology we use every day. By giving our minds a digital detox, we can improve ourselves through art, science, nature and education. All of which, Robert Owen believed would be used in his perfect Utopia, here in New Harmony," says Paul Goodman, Experience Coordinator, Historic New Harmony.

Technology dominates everyday life; a little time away from the computer, internet, email, social media, video games and television are needed from time to time. Give your eyes and your brain a deserved break.

Studies show that we are more productive after giving our minds a break and spending time outside. Stepping away from our devices can improve cognitive function and giving our brains time to “wander” which in turn can improve creative thinking.

There are a few things you can do to unplug for the weekend:

• Turn off all notifications- Closing your computer, turning off your phone and shutting off the game console, or turning off all notifications is the first step to a tech-free weekend.
• Let people know that you will be unavailable- Tell your friends and family that you will be unplugging and to not worry when you don’t reply to them for 48hrs. You could also invite them to unplug with you.

Activities you can do over the weekend while you are unplugged:

• Read a good book- Go to the Working Men’s Institute and check out a book in a genre that interests you.
• Take a walk- Walk around the town of New Harmony and enjoy the nature that is around you. If you have a pet, bring them along!
• Write or Draw- Let your creative juices flow and create a piece of art by looking at a local landmark or just drawing whatever comes to mind first.
• Exercise- By exercising, you not only improve your mind, but you also improve the rest of your body. If you exercise with music, try to do it without music and let nature be the music you listen to.
• “Putter”- Flip through a magazine without reading anything, make random lists, daydream, etc.
• Try a new recipe- Look up a new recipe and try it out. Enlist other members of your family to help and make something delicious for all to enjoy! One example is having a pizza night with your family. Get some dough and experiment with different kinds of sauces and toppings!
• Go outside with your friends- Go hiking on the trails here in New Harmony, play tag or hide and seek, build a fort, go fishing, go swimming, play a game of kickball or football, etc.
• Go on a tour- Plan to go on a tour of the historic buildings of New Harmony or go on one of the haunted New Harmony tours.
• Meditate- Go into one of the two labyrinths in town and meditate. If you are religious, then you can pray like the Harmonists did.

For more information about Historic New Harmony, contact Erin McCracken Merris, Marketing Specialist for USI Outreach and Engagement, at [email protected].

This press release was produced by the University of Southern Indiana. The views expressed here are the author’s own.