Digital Detox: what is it and what are the benefits?

A digital detox improves sleep quality, cognitive function, focus and mental wellbeing. We specialise in helping you switch off from your notifications and recharging in nature.

TIME AWAY FROM DEVICES

What is a digital detox?

A digital detox, or social media detox, is a period of time when you intentionally take a break from your digital devices such as smartphones and laptops. 

Digital devices are designed to be addictive, keeping us distracted and our brains busy. Unplugging from your devices for a period of time can help you reconnect and refocus.

DO I NEED A DIGITAL DETOX?

What are the symptoms of high screen time?

80% of us check our phones within 15 minutes minutes of waking up. High screen time and the frequent dopamine spikes aren't great for your brain and can cause:

  • Lack of focus and attention span 
  • Lower productivity
  • Brain fog and procrastination 
  • Poor sleep quality 
  • Stress and burnout
  • Social anxiety and depression
Read more

Benefits of digital detoxes

Mountains of studies support that time offline and in nature improves the mental and physical health.

Reduces stress and anxiety

Numerous studies have linked phone addiction to increased anxiety and depression. This is down to overuse of social media and the ‘always on’ culture that prevents us from fully switching off. 

Spending time offline and in nature has proven to reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, by 21%.

Sharpens focus and productivity

Our tech habits reduce our ability for deep-thinking and maintained focus. Notifications cause us to constantly multitask which is not good for our brains. One study found checking your phone in between tasks takes 19% longer to complete. 

Setting your phone aside will help you focus and sharpen your critical thinking. 

Improves sleep quality

Using your phone before bed keeps your mind alert and suppresses the sleep hormone, melatonin, by up to 22%. 

Poor sleep quality, or not enough of it, weakens cognitive function that controls memory, concentration and attention. A digital detox can help your body better control your sleep cycles and give you a better night's sleep.

Boosts mood and human connection

Being so connected to our phones gets in the way of our mood and social interactions - an action called 'phubbing'. 

By spending just a week away from social media and immersing yourself in nature has been proven to increase human happiness. A digital detox can kick-start your journey to having a better relationship with your phone (and your pals).

Betters relationship with phone

When you spend time away from your phone, you realise how distracting they are. Social media and technology has been built by engineers to keep hold of your attention and keep coming back. By going on a digital detox, you regain the perspective of how much unnecessary time you spend on your phones. 

THE UNPLUGGED EXPERIENCE

3 nights is the optimal time to switch off

Any time away from your phone is beneficial for your wellbeing, but the minimum time to feel true benefits is 72 hours. Based on the 'Three Day Effect', the first day of your digital detox will be your 'adjustment period', where it may feel a little weird being away from your phone. It's day 2 and 3 that you really start to reap the benefits of nature and time offline. 

The 3 Day Effect

Digital Detox FAQs

Digital detoxing helps kickstarts your journey to a better relationship with your phone.

A digital detox is a (much needed) break from technology for a period of time. It can mean anything from abstaining from you phone and social media for a week to putting your phone away at dinner time. Digital detoxing is increasing in popularity due to the increase in social media anxiety and our ever decreasing attention spans. We all know it too - 62% of UK adults say they hate how much time they spend on their phone. 

You can detox for as little or as long as you like. We recommend 3 nights, based on lots of studies and 'The Three Day Effect' that says the minimum time to reap the benefits of going offline and spending time in nature is 72 hours. The first day can feel quite strange being without your phone, but the real benefits come on day 2 and 3. You will feel more relaxed, sleep better and have a new sense of clarity. Plus a renewed relationship with your phone!

Digital detoxing has many benefits, including better sleep quality, reduced anxiety and increased productivity.

  • Better sleep quality 
  • Reduced anxiety and stress
  • Less brain fog 
  • Better mood 
  • Boost of creativity 
  • Stronger personal relationships 
  • Sharper focus and attention span 

We make it easy for you to switch off by providing you with a phone lockbox and everything you need to live offline. Our cabins are built for digital detoxing and helping you recharge in nature. 

After your Unplugged digital detox kickstart, you could try the following at home

  • Setting time limits on your social and work apps
  • Utilising 'Do Not Disturb' mode or turn off notifications
  • Leaving your phone out of the bedroom (and buy an alarm clock!)

Ready to unplug?

Book digital detox