Unwind Your Mind: A Digital Well-Being Initiative for UMass Lowell Students

Illustration of a brain outline with the words 'Unwind Your Mind' creatively written inside in colorful, playful fonts.

In today’s digital world, we’re more connected than ever—but that constant connection can also impact our focus, mental health, and overall well-being. Unwind Your Mind is a campus-wide initiative aimed at helping students set healthier boundaries with their devices, be more present, and engage in meaningful interactions.

What is Unwind Your Mind?

This program is designed to promote digital well-being by encouraging students to take breaks from screens and focus on mindfulness, connection, and self-care. Through a variety of events and tools, Unwind Your Mind offers simple yet effective strategies to help students feel more balanced.

Staff collecting a student's phone at an outdoor event during sunset.

Program Highlights

  • Phone-Free Events and Incentives – Students can check their phones in designated phone boxes at events and be eligible for fun well-being related prizes.
  • Dining Hall Phone Boxes – Encouraging mindful eating by providing spaces to store phones and connect using conversation cards during meals.
  • Social Media Scroll Breaks – Interactive campaigns like Mindful Monday and Where’s Rowdy? to promote digital detox habits.
  • Faculty Engagement – Resources to help professors implement classroom phone policies that foster better focus and participation.

Why Digital Well-being Matters

Excessive device use has been linked to:

  • Decreased focus and productivity
  • Lower academic performance
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Increased anxiety and depression
  • Feelings of loneliness and isolation

By creating structured opportunities for students to take breaks from their phones, Unwind Your Mind helps combat these challenges and fosters a healthier campus culture.

Join the Movement!

Taking even a small break from screens can make a big difference in your well-being. Be part of Unwind Your Mind and start setting healthier digital boundaries today!

We’re always excited to collaborate with practicum students—like Annikki Williams from our Masters in Public Health (MPH) program—who are passionate about promoting digital well-being.

Want to learn more or get involved? Reach out to us by email: wellbeing@uml.edu or read this news story about the program: Want to Unwind Your Mind? Start By Putting Down Your Phone.