Mindful Vitality Play # 2

Our Second Menthal Health Project To Digital Detox

by David Ríos and participants of the project:

Hello, friends!

Last August, from the 5th to the 15th, we had the pleasure of hosting the second edition of the MVP project, this time under the inspiring title “MVP2: Pause & Breathe.” We welcomed a wonderful group of young people from Germany, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Ukraine, who came together to explore an important and timely topic: the impact of social media and new technologies on our mental health.

The main goal of the project was to reflect on how our digital habits affect our daily well-being — and more importantly, to discover ways to use sports and mindfulness as tools to counteract the negative effects that constant connectivity can have on our minds. We wanted to shift the focus from overuse and stress to positive, conscious, and healthy use of technology.

Throughout the project, participants took part in a variety of activities — from team-building exercises that fostered trust and collaboration, to mindfulness sessions that encouraged calm and awareness, sports challenges that energized both body and mind, and workshops on detecting fake news, which sharpened critical thinking skills in the digital world.

But rather than hearing it all from us, we think it’s best to let the participants themselves tell you about their experiences! Over the next few posts, we’ll be sharing reflections written by those who took part in MVP2: Pause & Breathe.

The first article comes from our Greek participant, Leonidas Arapoglou, who shares his personal perspective on what the project meant to him — and how “pausing and breathing” can truly make a difference in our fast-paced, tech-driven lives.

Stay tuned, and enjoy Leonidas’s story!

“In today’s society, it’s hard to imagine functioning without the most widely used technological tool — the mobile phone. This was exactly the challenge we faced during a ten-day program. The separation from our phones didn’t happen right away; at first, we had activities and information sessions about the program’s purpose. The phones were locked in a box for only two days, with just half an hour of access allowed for communication purposes.

One of the most memorable moments was the preparation for handing in our devices. A small chaos filled the accommodation — everyone was glued to their screens, talking to loved ones to say goodbye. Some people paced up and down, while others stayed fixed in their spots. When the moment came, a column of phones began to form, and that’s when we started to realize that along with our devices, we were losing tools that made life easier.

The First Challenge: Disconnection

The main aim of the program was to remove access to social media. At the same time, all other forms of communication disappeared. This meant that parents, friends, relationships, and obligations were put on hold, as there was no way to reach anyone. Artificial intelligence tools were also off-limits — we couldn’t quickly find answers to questions or seek guidance from reliable sources.

On a practical level, daily routines changed. Everyone went to bed at different times — times we didn’t even know, unless we had brought a watch. The rooms were completely dark, and the only options were to sleep on the couch or take a brave step into the pitch black. We also lost our sense of time and had to rely on our biological clocks for sleeping and waking. Surprisingly, this worked for most — though not for everyone — and the organizers helped us stay oriented to the schedule when needed.

Orientation was another challenge. Being in a new country, in a new environment, with new people, the urge to explore was irresistible. We roamed the streets for fun, accepting the risk of getting lost along the way.

The Second Moment: Brief Reconnection

After the first day without our devices, the box almost emptied during the half-hour access window. It felt like everyone took a short break from the program. There was no connection, no activities — even the two or three people who didn’t retrieve their phones had no one left to interact with. After this brief technological outburst, we went right back to where we had left off.

The Third Moment: Full Reconnection

When the challenge ended, we all got our phones back. Once again, it created a pause in the program, but this time it wasn’t as intense because there was no time limit. Access was now unrestricted. The sound of reels, memes, and TikToks filled various parts of the day — even during sleep and in the bathroom. For some, it was as if the challenge had never happened. For others, the impact was more personal and harder to measure.

Why the Challenge Worked

This experience was possible for two main reasons: first, there were plenty of people and activities to keep us engaged; second, everyone was under the same conditions — no one could use their phone.

My Reflections

Looking at the experience and the diagrams we studied, I realized how hard it is to get things done when social media is in the picture. In a way, these platforms represent a whole separate life — and you can’t fully live in both worlds at once.

The encouraging part is that many still prefer real life over the virtual one and are willing to put their phones aside to do something else. For those who find it harder, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t want to — but the increasing usage, as shown in the chart below, and the growing prevalence of addiction make it much more difficult.

Could you do this challenge??

For more aspects of the program, you can visit the following links:

Bibliography

BrandWell. (2025, January). Number of global social media users increased from 3.81 billion in 2020 to 5.24 billion. Retrieved August 13, 2025, from https://brandwell.ai/blog/social-media-addiction-statistics/

Influencer Marketing Hub. (2024, January). Global social media usage statistics chart. Retrieved August 13, 2025, from https://influencermarketinghub.com”

While our second article comes from another Greek, the group leader, Maria Staikopoulou.

“Pause & Breathe – 10 Days Without a Phone, but With a Heart Full of People

From August 5th to 15th, 2025, I was in Berlin for the Erasmus+ project Pause & Breathe. The goal? Mindfulness, sports activities, disconnecting from technology… and reconnecting with the most important “Wi-Fi” — human relationships.

The challenge? Four days without a phone, computer, or tablet. Only 30 minutes a day to let your family know you’re fine. At first, I saw it as an “endurance test.” But the project was much more than that: it was also about mindfulness and sport — tools that helped us be present in the moment, connect deeply, and feel alive. By the end, all I wanted was for it to continue.

Our group was a beautiful mosaic from Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Germany and Greece. What united us all was sensitivity, knowledge, active listening, willingness to collaborate, awareness, clarity about what we want, honesty in expressing our opinions, and a readiness to help, to care, and to connect — not through technology, but through our souls and the souls of others.

In alphabetical order, each person brought their own special touch:

Alex – overflowing energy, impressive knowledge, and the freedom of expression that inspires.

Anastasia – kindness, beauty in both soul and face, and a love for photography.

Bruna – always ready to help, with genuine active listening, sensitivity, and awareness of social issues and human rights.

Bruno – relaxed, joyful, full of energy, and caring for those around him.

Carmen & Maria – the “flamenco sisters”; gorgeous long hair, smiles and spirit that light up the room, and magical dancing.

Carlos – the teacher of the group, with knowledge, authority, and a good sense of humor.

Diogo – punctual, thoughtful, with sincere care and sensitivity to others’ needs.

Francis – an artist with a soulful voice, a fashion icon, and a unique style.

Frida – eager to show us the secrets of her city and rescue us with her German.

Lenia – the youngest in the group, with maturity that wins you over.

Leonidas – the calm force, the psychologist who always finds the right words.

Markos – passionate about fitness and weight training.

Martin – temperament, humor, and participation in every conversation.

Mike – a child at heart, with a smile that immediately puts you at ease, full of knowledge, and able to identify the flags of every country!

Miquel – kind, funny, with eyes that shine with intelligence, a fashion icon, and deeply informed about human rights.

Marta – always ready to help, with genuine active listening, social awareness, and commitment to equality.

Nefeli – a smiling dancer who brought rhythm even to moments of silence.

Paula – dynamic, determined, and always speaking with purpose.

Sasha – sensitivity, kindness, care, full of knowledge, calm yet energetic; a philosopher and a poet.

Sophia (Greece) – with a bubbly laugh and vast knowledge.

Sophia (Spain) – warm, communicative, with charm, always ready for a chat.

And then there’s me, Maria, the writer of this article — the teacher, the oldest participant in the project who, not for a single moment, felt left out. I drew energy and vitality from the others, and I had the chance to discreetly care for so many people all at once.

And of course, Dr. Chito and Lucía, our inspiring leaders, who guided us not only through the activities but also in becoming a better team.

All these people met by chance; yet the outcome of our good coexistence and collaboration was anything but accidental. It was the result of open hearts, respect, and the willingness to give our very best.

When you have connected with so many unique people, disconnecting from social media becomes the easiest thing in the world. So, take the 5G out of your life — and put in 5 good friends instead. That’s a signal you’ll never lose.

If you also want to taste the joy of true connection, here are some challenges:

30 minutes without screens each day: Put your phone, computer, and TV aside. Notice the sound of the wind, people’s laughter, or the rhythm of your own heartbeat.

A phone-free weekend with friends: Cook together, play games, talk until late at night.

Silent meals: Once or twice a week, eat without speaking and without music. Enjoy each bite with all your senses.

Heartful walks: Walk somewhere new without your phone, letting yourself get lost in thoughts and images.

And once you’ve mastered these “down-to-earth” challenges… let’s level up:

The secret to the wind: Once a week, run around your house and shout a secret into the universe — no phone, no friends, just you and the air.

The robot dance: Spend a whole weekend without technology, and every time you feel the urge to check your phone, dance like a robot for 5 minutes.

Conversations with shadows: Turn off your phone for a day and talk only to shadows, or in animal sounds, or with the trees. If someone looks at you strangely, smile as if you know a secret no one else does.

The wise keeper: Pick an object in your home and talk to it as if it were a wise being. Ask it for life advice or tell it your secrets.

Escape to the sun: Take your phone, put it in a balloon, and send it to the sun with your imaginary rocket. Ask it to return only when you are truly happy.

Switch off the world in your hand to switch on the world in your heart.”

Watch also our Fun Workout at the Gym:

https://studio.youtube.com/video/oFAjTxYdm4Y/edit

I know it's quite a lot to read, but I think it's worth seeing this experience through the eyes of our participants. Finally, I'd like to leave you with a link to some videos and posters made by the participants during the project that are worth sharing.

I hope this encourages you to take part in our next adventures!

See you soon :)