March employee wellness challenge: Unplug to recharge

Boise State's Health and Wellness Committee will sponsor a 12-day employee challenge to reduce screen time, "Unplug to recharge: Everything works better after a reboot, including you." The challenge runs March 2-13.

Screens are essential to much of campus work. This challenge is not about eliminating screen time on the job, but about being more intentional with personal screen use.

Participants are encouraged to step away from screens outside of work and engage in healthy, analog activities. Whether the goal is to reduce time spent on social media or cut back on television during the week, the challenge offers an opportunity to improve physical well-being, reclaim free time, boost mood, spark creativity and create space for meaningful connection.

Challenge highlights

• March 2: Set screen-time goals and start tracking 12-day screen use. See the next section for goal-setting tips.
• March 3: Online Lunch and Learn: Unplug to Recharge: Moving from Reactive Habits to Intentional Focus with Jill Heney and Alexis Kenyon (register through CampusGroups)
• March 4: Unplug and Recharge Lunch Walk on the Greenbelt with Melissa Jensen and Keith Quatraro (register through CampusGroups)
• March 6: National Unplugged Day Choose one of the activities highlighted on the featured website.
• March 9: Free Write in the Print Study Room in Campus School with Fonda Portales (register through CampusGroups - in-person and online hybrid event)
• March 11: Guided Meditation in the Print Study Room in Campus School with Fonda Portales (register through CampusGroups; in-person and online hybrid event)
• Mar. 13: End of Challenge. Complete the participation form by the end of business on Friday, March 13 to be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of five prizes. Only Boise State employees are eligible to win a prize. Five employees will receive a portable phone lock box with a timer to support continued analog habits.

Goal setting

• Create a goal to reduce screen time.
• Develop a plan to track usage and identify replacement activities.
• Log daily screen time using a screen time tracker.

Tracking phone screen time

• How to check screen time on an iPhone
• How to check screen time on an Android

Suggested unplug activities

• Host a board game night with friends or family.
• Take a walk, hike, or bike ride outdoors.
• Read a book (just for fun).
• Try a hands-on hobby like painting, knitting, cooking, or playing music.
• Invite friends over for a potluck or shared meal.
• Journal or reflect on your goals.
• Practice meditation or deep breathing.
• Visit a local park, market, or community event.
• Call or meet a friend instead of texting.
• Stretch, do yoga, or take a short movement break.

Bonus challenge for benefit-eligible employees

Regence Empower is hosting a March Rest and Reset challenge to promote healthy sleep habits by encouraging consistent bedtimes and reduced screen use. Participants who track seven or more hours of sleep on 14 of 21 days between March 2 and March 22 will be entered into a random drawing for prizes including a Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock, an Infinity bamboo sleep mask, a Warmies weighted stuffed animal and assorted Numi teas.

Register for the Rest and Reset challenge between now and March 9, 2026:

1. Visit regence.com and sign in.
2. Navigate to Regence Empower.
3. Click on "Take me to my dashboard".
4. Select "Browse all activities".
5. Go to "Challenges" and click "Rest and Reset".
6. Click on "Join the challenge".

For questions, email [email protected].

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