04/10/2026
Choose your slot — Evening to next evening works well (e.g., after dinner Friday to Saturday dinner). For Centennial folks like many of us, tie it to a sunny Colorado weekend for extra nature boosts—20 minutes outdoors alone drops cortisol by ~21%.
Prep smart — Notify key people ("Off-grid tomorrow—reach me if urgent"). Charge devices out of sight. Use a traditional alarm clock.
Fill the void with stress-busters — Walk in a park (grounding + vitamin D), read a paper book, journal worries away, cook mindfully, stretch, or chat voice-only with a friend. These replace screen dopamine with natural calm.
Ease back in — Post-fast, keep notifications off and set "no-phone" zones to sustain gains.
Expect an initial itch (cravings are normal as your brain readjusts), but many feel clearer, less frazzled, and more present by the end. Track your stress level before/after—rate 1-10 for a quick win.