Brilliant People Usually Use 11 Casual Phrases To Give Someone A Reality Check
maxbelchenko | Shutterstock If you're part of a younger generation, you've likely heard your parents bark at you to "go touch grass" as you doom-scrolled in your room while the sun was shining outside. But beyond saying it outright, brilliant people use other casual phrases when someone seriously needs a reality check.
These phrases are used playfully or sarcastically to urge someone to step away from their screens and spend time outdoors in nature. They imply that someone may be spending too much time immersed in the digital world and not enough time reconnecting with the real world. With data showing that people spend an average of 6 hours a day consuming digital media, people might need to touch grass (read: a reality check) now more than ever.
People who know when someone needs a reality check casually say these things:
1. 'Get some fresh air'
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While there isn't a specific amount of fresh air our bodies need each day, the more time we spend outside, the better we feel. The playful phrase "Get some fresh air" nudges people to stop what they are doing and go outside, even if only for 10 minutes at a time.
According to UC Davis Health, fresh air does wonders for our physical and mental health. It boosts creativity and problem-solving and can lower heart rate and blood pressure. Additional research from the United States Department of Agriculture found that "exposure to nature may decrease death from chronic disease" and that "people who live near parks and green spaces have less mental distress, are more physically active, and have longer life spans."
2. 'Take a walk'
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People typically don't suggest "take a walk" as a subtle way to get exercise; rather, it's one of the phrases brilliant folks use to casually suggest someone reality-check themselves. If you're glued to a screen all day, taking a walk may help you reconnect with the physical world around you.
In fact, just 30 minutes of walking daily can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and improve your overall mood, per the Victoria State Government Department of Health. Doom-scrolling and spending too much time on social media can make people feel anxious and miserable. But making the mindful choice to put the screens down and get our legs moving outside shifts our focus to the sun shining and the birds chirping.
3. 'Disconnect for a while'
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When someone politely asks you to disconnect from your iPhone screens, they want you to connect with nature instead. That means turning all your devices off and focusing on just being. It's about giving yourself time to be present in the real world, away from technological distractions like social media and constant notifications. This phrase encourages people to relax and recharge, and focus on things outside of technology. Take a mental break, go outside, and smell the flowers instead of staring at pictures of them created by ChatGPT.
4. 'Clear your head'
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When a smart person casually tells you to "clear your head," they mean removing anything from your mind that is stressful or provokes anxiety. That means stepping away from anything related to screens and media. They are encouraging you to step away from overwhelming situations (like consuming constant media) and regain mental clarity as a result.
According to neuroscientist and meditation teacher Nicole Tetreault, PhD, "When we quiet our minds, the critics and judgments fall away. When you connect to yourself, you can better know your likes and dislikes, connect to your desires, explore what you are interested in and clearly know what you no longer want in your life, and let go of things that no longer serve you."
"You can clean out the clutter and confusion and become more empowered and confident in learning to listen and trust yourself to see yourself through any situation that arises," Tetreault continued. "Through clarity, we are more confident and courageous to take the next steps in our lives and to live more freely as we are. It can also support us to not be reactionary and instead be responsive, open, and more flexible in our thinking."
5. 'Get some real world experience'
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According to an XQ Institute poll, 30% of high school students rated their preparedness for the real world as a 4 or 5 out of 5. This is partly because they are often glued to their screens rather than experiencing the physical world around them.
One phrase people say to encourage folks to come back to earth is, "get some real-world experience," which nudges people to put down their phones and engage in activities or hobbies that apply knowledge and skills outside of screens. They could take on a part-time job. They could volunteer for a non-profit they are passionate about. Whatever gets you more IRL interaction is best.
6. 'The outdoors could use your company'
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While you're never truly alone when you're immersed in nature, there's always room to include more people to enjoy it alongside you. This lighthearted phrase urges people to leave their phones at home and spend more time with their dear friend Mother Nature.
The phrase invites people to enjoy the fresh air around them, implying that the outdoors would "appreciate" having them there to appreciate the beauty and immensity it offers. It's also a much more immersive experience than watching nature documentaries from your couch.
7. 'It's time to see the sun'
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The sun is only out for a short time each day. Rather than remaining inside, whether it's a lazy day sleeping or being at work for hours, "it's time to see the sun" is one of the phrases people use when others need to check their reality.
This phrase suggests we should take advantage of nice days, especially if we've been indoors for a long time. Ditching indoor activities and replacing them with natural sunlight offers several benefits for our well-being: According to health writer and nutritionist Sarah Garone, natural sunlight boosts our vitamin D levels, wards off seasonal depression, and improves our sleep patterns. If people have been cooped up indoors on their phones and laptops for an extended period, seeing the sun offers a welcome change of scenery.
8. 'There's a whole world waiting for you'
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This motivational phrase suggests that many opportunities and adventures await someone, but only if they step out of their current environment and comfort zone. "There's a whole world waiting for you" is not only a phrase people use to reality-check someone but also one often used to inspire people to engage with the physical world around them and enjoy everything it offers. Essentially, this phrase reminds us that a beautiful world exists beyond TikTok if we just take the time to look.
9. 'How about a screen detox?'
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This phrase helpfully suggests taking a break from all electronics. That means avoiding technology, social media, and screens. The idea is to reduce screen time to give your mind a break from constant exposure to the digital world. Stepping away from technology lets you relax and encourages more real-world interactions. According to Brown University Health, a digital detox improves sleep and mental health and alleviates stress, too.
10. 'Nature is calling'
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Unlike "nature calls," the phrase "nature is calling" is a brilliant way to give someone a reality check. It's a playful way to remind someone to get outside and immerse themselves in nature, and that its beauty and benefits are just a step away. It can also be a lighthearted way to suggest taking a break from the indoors and reconnecting with the outdoors. Spending time in nature can bring a sense of serenity, something that our screens don't always give us. But when nature is calling you, you should probably answer.
11. 'Ground yourself'
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The phrase "ground yourself" doesn't mean to literally place yourself on the ground to connect with nature; rather, it suggests taking steps to calm your mind and reconnect with the present moment, especially during times of stress.
Therapeutic grounding can involve something called "earthing," which means physically connecting your body to the earth "by having your skin touch grass, sand, a river, lake or sea, like walking barefoot in the grass or running your hands over the bark of a tree." No matter how you ground yourself—mentally, emotionally, physically—the important thing is that you're reconnecting with nature and the world around you and disconnecting from the pressures of social media.
Megan Quinn is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing. She covers news and lifestyle topics focused on workplace justice, personal relationships, parenting debates, and the human experience.
