The Phone-Free Hour

Maya noticed that she felt tired every evening, even when she had done nothing special.

While lying in bed, she kept checking her phone and reading bad news.

Her mind was full of worry, and she could not fall asleep.

One day, her teacher talked about how screens can keep our brains busy.

Maya decided to try a small experiment.

Every night after dinner, she put her phone in a drawer and left it there for one hour.

During that hour, she walked outside, wrote in a notebook, or called her grandmother.

At first, she felt strange and kept reaching for the drawer.

After a week, however, she began to enjoy the quiet time.

She slept better and woke up with more energy.

When her friend asked why she looked happier, Maya smiled and said, "I gave my mind a little rest." Her friend tried the same idea and soon felt calmer too.

In their class, more students began to leave phones in bags during meals.

The teacher even started a quiet corner with books and soft chairs, and many students used it after lunch.

Maya learned that small changes in a room can change how people act and feel.