Dark Hour, Bright Future: Power Off This Earth Hour With A Much Needed Digital Detox

PUBLISHED March 13th, 2024 06:00 am | UPDATED March 24th, 2024 05:43 pm

Can we change the world in sixty minutes? Probably not, but dedicating just one hour to our planet can significantly alter the course of our climate emergency. This year, Earth Hour is observed on 23 March 2024, continuing the tradition initiated in 2007. As usual, we are called upon to switch off our lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. This gesture might appear small, but when multiplied by millions of households, it becomes a grand deal for the Earth.

In 2024, while embracing the dark, how about partaking in a digital ‘time out’ instead of reaching for that smart companion? To help you unplug, we’ve rounded up some electricity-free things to do for a digital detox.

Stargazing

Have you ever wondered why counting stars in Singapore is only achievable through a telescope at the Science Centre Observatory or perhaps, a night spent at secluded spots like Changi Beach Park or Labrador Nature Reserve?The city’s luminous skyline often dims the sparkle of the stars overhead, leaving us with but a few glimpses of their brilliance. With lights out, you’ll be able to cuddle up and gaze into the vastness of the night sky and be able to see some stars in the comfort of your nearest park.

Bending the rules ever so slightly, download apps like Star Walk 2 (for iOS and Android) or Skyview Lite (for iOS and Android), which help identify the celestial bodies you’re admiring. Certain Samsung Galaxy phone models also come with the Astrophoto function that names the stars and planets through your phone. You can even go one step further with AstroHyperlapse, which lets you record the movement of the stars.

Candlelight Dinner

When was the last time you had a candle light? Amp up the romance on Earth Day with the gentle illumination of the candle light. Order in and light the candles to transform your home into an intimate haven, or take it outdoors with a cosy candlelit picnic that lets you connect with nature and each other. Turn this into a multi-sensory experience with scented candles that infuse the air with sweet aromas.

Story Circle

Gather your nearest and dearest for an intimate story circle when the lights go out during Earth Hour. Suitable for indoors or outdoors, make yourselves comfortable and immerse in the warmth of storytelling through shared narratives, laughter, and reflections. Not only are you contributing to the biggest hour for Earth, but you’ll also deepen your connections, building strong relationships. Need some help to get started? Try Hvala conversation cards or smol tok card decks to get the ball rolling. Or, you can scare yourselves silly with urban legends and ghost stories!

Meditate and Reflect

It’ll be dark anyway; you might as well close your eyes and sit in deep contemplation. Meditation reduces stress, enhances self-awareness, boosts cognitive functions, enhances mood, and improves sleep. Good for the environment and good for you. From mindfulness meditation and guided meditation to transcendental and loving-kindness meditation, choose from the various techniques and practise the one that resonates best with you. Otherwise, you can just focus on the simplicity of breathing meditation.

Art in the Dark

This might get messy, but who knows, it may also turn out to be your best masterpiece yet! Lay out your art supplies – paint, crayons, colour pencils – and watch your self-judgement fizzle out as the lights dim, allowing you to express yourself on paper freely. Art in therapy has been known to reduce stress and anxiety, and to some, it is also a form of meditation. Paint or draw with both your dominant and non-dominant hands, and see what comes up for you. Try it with both hands simultaneously and activate both sides of your brain at the same time. When the lights come back on, look to your creations for insight into your inner thoughts and feelings. 

Sleep

Honour your natural circadian rhythm by going to sleep when the lights are out. It may not be common knowledge, but Singaporeans are the third most sleep-deprived city in a 2023 study. Apparently, only 17% of us slept through the night, and only one in four sleep more than seven hours a day. Besides bestowing us with those deep-set panda eyes, a lack of sleep affects both our physical and mental well-being. So, take the time this Earth Hour to catch up on lost sleep. You’ll wake up feeling as fresh as a flower.

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All Images Courtesy of Deposit Photos