3. Locking phone away

How to prepare for going offline

49% of workers say they still work for at least an hour a day when they’re on holiday. Not at Unplugged. Set the expectation that you will be truly out of office with zero access to your emails or phone so you can really switch off.

🗺 Plan ahead

We’re so used to having information at our fingertips, so we recommend planning a few things ahead of your trip

Scope out the area and identify any points of interest you’d like to explore

Book your taxi there and back if you need one

Book a pub or restaurant if you don’t fancy cooking every evening

Pack a physical debit card if you rely on Apple Pay

🗓 Set your out of office

Let people know you’ll be truly offline by setting your out of office on email, socials and instant messaging. We’ve popped some fun templates for you below.

📩 Email Template

Out of office emails don’t have to be boring. Why not try one of these.

I’m entirely off-grid for 3 days 📵🌲

Hi there, I’m off-grid with absolutely zero access to my emails or phone. Why? Because it’s locked in a box at an Unplugged Cabin for a 3 night digital detox. I’ll get back to you when I return to civilisation. Or to an area with WiFi. Or to the office on [date]. Whichever comes first. If you need help right now, my colleague [name] is on hand to help [email]. Until then, remember to switch off once in a while. There’s more to life than work and Instagram. Best, [name]

Hi there, I know I’m supposed to say I’ll have limited access to my emails or you can catch me on my mobile in an emergency - but that’s not true. I’m off-grid at an Unplugged cabin for a digital detox until [date]. I’ve promised my [wife/husband/partner] that I will actually disconnect from work - I don’t want to find out what will happen if I break that promise. My phone is locked in a box and my laptop is switched off, so if you need anything please contact my colleague [name] on [email]. I’ll get back to you once I’m back in the office with a new lease of life. Best, [name]

📲 Social media

Post a story to let your pals know you’ll be living in the real world for a few days

GOING OFF GRID! I’m heading to @unplugged.rest for 3 days to recharge. I’ll have no phone or access to wifi so if you need me contact [ x ]. See you in a few days!

I’M LOCKING MY PHONE AWAY! I’m going off-grid at @unplugged.rest for 3 days to recharge in nature Catch you on the flip side

I’m unplugging for a few days! I’ll be locking my phone in a box here so I can switch off and recharge. See you when I return!

🔕 Turn off your notifications

Tonnes of our guests tell us they don’t want to switch their phones back on at the end of their trip. We recommend planning for this and turning your notifications off before you go offline. This means when you switch your screens back on, you can check your apps gradually without feeling overwhelmed.

On iPhone, either set to Do Not Disturb or switch off notifications on Apps

> Settings > Notifications > Select Apps > Turn toggle to ‘OFF’

How you might feel without your phone

Few of us are used to being without our devices, so it can be quite daunting. We’ve carried out studies and spoken to lots of guests to map out how you might feel over the 72 hours offline.

Day 1

Adjustment period You may keep reaching or looking for your phone and feel a little spark of anxiety without it. This is normal. Our phone use habitual and it can make us feel a little uneasy. The feeling of true relaxation is coming…

Day 2

Feeling of freedom It might feel weird initially waking up without a quick check and scroll. Embrace it. Use the day to relax in whichever way you like: read a book, listen to music or go exploring in the local area.

Day 3

Entirely present By day 3, you’ll be used to life offline. You’ll feel free, present and entirely comfortable being away from your phone. Use this time to journal and make a plea to better your digital dependancy.

How to prepare to go back online

So many guests tell us they don’t want to turn their phones back on after their Unplugged escape. This is normal. You get used to living in the present, truly connecting with yourself or your partner and using your time to relax and unwind without screens.

🐢 Ease yourself back in

Just like the adjustment period of going offline, you’ll have one when returning to busy life too. Learn new habits and slowly ease yourself back to normal life.

Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to catch up on messages, no more

Leave emails until you actually return to work

Opt for calling friends or family, rather than message or FaceTime

Keep your phone in your bag whilst travelling, unless using it for maps of course

⏳ Set time limits on your apps

It’s easy to fall back into the black hole of doom scrolling. Set limits to distracting and time consuming apps before you open any social media, or even try deleting it entirely for a bit.

How to set time limits

> Settings

> Screen time

> App limits

> Select app and set time

How to set downtime