The smart way to get your family screen free

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Let’s face it, many of us spend far too much time on our phones, tablets, and laptops, so now and again we need a reminder to take a screen break.

Yes, they help us work and play, but their addictive nature and glaring lights do little to help us rest.

We have some ideas of how you and your family can get back on track, spend less time online and interact with each other rather than living in a virtual reality.

Have a time limit
Five minutes on Insta can quickly turn into an hour, so having time limits early on is a great idea. No screens before breakfast, a couple of hours at the weekend, nothing an hour before bed and a screen ban in bedrooms can all help to get the balance right and save squabbles later on.

Keep an eye on the remote
In our digital age we often forget the impact of the mere TV screen, but you should monitor this as well. Does the TV really need to be on all the time? Is binge watching box sets the best use of family time together and do the kids watch age appropriate shows? Decide on family rules about the TV, don’t leave it on just because it’s easy and if all else fails, hide the remote!

Rethink TV dinners
Yes, a pizza and movie at the weekend is a treat and can bring you all together, but TV dinners every night might not be the way to go. Open plan living and kitchen diners mean that it’s super easy to eat a bowl of pesto pasta on your knee as you watch Netflix but eating together at the table and catching up on your news can be so much better, and if you cook together that is even better!

Digital detox
There might be protests, but even an hour of screen free time on Sunday can help make some big changes. Putting down the phones and tablets and going out for a walk in the park, having a swim or meeting up with friends will give you time together as a family and while you might not get any photos for Facebook, you will make some lovely memories.

Take back control
When it comes to kids and devices, you do have the option of taking back control and putting restrictions in place. There are various apps out there that allow you to block and filter usage and you can put a timer on the internet, or just turn it off altogether. While asking for passwords might not be your thing, knowing what they are doing online and who they’re talking to, is probably a smart move, even if it is an unpopular one as they get older.

Practise what you preach
If you’re looking at your emails or Facebook feed while you eat breakfast, your children are likely to think they can do the same. If you want your family to agree to changes, you need to ensure you are following the rules as well or you might have a real battle on your hands.

We don’t say you have to do anything drastic now, but doing one or two things differently could bring you closer together.

Team Pure Beauty

Rio 2016 – be inspired

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adrenaline buzz, Andy Murray, athletics, badminton, Becky James, bike, British, cartwheel, court, Crista Cullen, diving, dreams, fast paced, football, fresh air, gymnastics, hockey, Jessica Ennis-Hill, jumping, Laura Trott, local teams, low impact, Mo Farah, popular, pre-school gymnastics club, Rio Olympics, ropes, rowing, rugby, rules, Sir Bradley Wiggins, sporting, sprinting, Team GB, throwing, Tom Daley, world

There is no doubt that the Rio Olympics have been amazing.

From the start of the opening ceremony, we know we were in for a sporting spectacular and we certainly haven’t been disappointed.

With Andy Murray in the tennis, Laura Trott on the cycle circuit and Becky James on the track being just some of the winners, it has been a gripping couple of weeks.

With so much action on screen, this is the perfect time to be inspired by Team GB, and athletes from around the world, to get off the sofa and spring into action.

No matter what your fitness ability or interest, we are sure there is an activity out there that is perfect just for you.

If you are looking for choice when it comes to sport, look no further than athletics. This discipline offers a wide range of options that keep you on your toes and motivated to go for gold. Running, jumping, sprinting, throwing, it is all in this mix. With Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill leading the way and inspiring a generation, never has it been a better time to join a local club and get involved.

Badminton is a great choice for the whole family. The weightless racquets, low start up costs and easy to understand rules means toddlers, grandparents and everyone in-between can have a bash. Get it set up in the garden in the summer and when it gets colder, book an indoor court to keep your fitness levels up.

Riding a bike isn’t just a way to get from a to b, it is also a fantastic way to get fit, get some fresh air and tone up. This low impact sport is becoming increasingly popular and with a range of bikes for sale at various price points, and to loan or rent, it is easier than ever to get on the Sir Bradley Wiggins bandwagon.

Combining acrobatics, water and speed, there is little more thrilling than diving. Tom Daley has bought edge and excitement back into this Olympic staple and he and the team have a loyal fan base and big dreams. This isn’t the sport for you if you don’t like heights, but if you are looking to get fit and want an adrenaline buzz, this could be the sport for you.

If team sports are your thing, and you have been inspired by Crista Cullen and the GB team why not give hockey a try this autumn? Whilst this is is a fast paced game, it can be played by all levels of fitness and local teams are often looking for new members, and beginners.

Forget the ropes and vaults in the school hall, gymnastics is becoming increasingly popular and it is easy to see why. The men and women in Rio make it look slick and elegant but these performances takes years to perfect. One of the keys to real success is starting young so why not take your toddler to a pre-school gymnastics club and watch them cartwheel and jump to their hearts content?

Table tennis is an Olympic favourite that has viewers sitting on their edge of their seats. This is a fast, fun, easy to play game that gets you fit and as it is mainly played indoors, the British weather can’t spoil it.

With accessible sports like football, rugby, rowing and so much more being broadcast day and night, we hope you will want to put on your trainers and go out and do something less boring instead.

Team Pure-Beauty.