Digital Detox: Top 5 Places & Reasons to Do It

Do you often find yourself glued to your smartphone, scrolling without an end in sight through heaps of content? Or maybe the sole thought of leaving the house without your phone is enough to make you feel uneasy? If so, you’re not alone, as 47 percent of adult Americans consider themselves addicted to their phones.

The truth is that these days, cellphones and other tech devices are our constant companions. For some people, it’s only a distraction that takes up time that could be spent in a more productive way. However, others might feel like they have no other choice but to keep exchanging text messages and scrolling through their social media feeds.

Furthermore, brands do everything in their power to work on their online reputation management, which often results in an endless stream of updates and notifications. This all might leave you wondering whether there’s a way to break this cycle, and that’s exactly where the idea of a digital detox comes in.

What Is a digital detox?

A digital detox can be defined as a conscious effort to voluntarily refrain from using devices such as smartphones, TVs, computers, or tables. Usually, it also focuses on avoiding different social media sites.  

A digital detox aims to provide relief from the pressure of constant connection to electronic devices. It encourages people to take a break from checking email, playing video games, text messaging, scrolling social media, or watching the news and other TV programs. Depending on the exact issue, the period of “detoxing” can take from a few days to weeks or even months, but the specifics differ from person to person.

Choosing to go on a digital detox is a way to focus on real-life again, restore friendships, pursue hobbies, and strengthen relationships without any distractions getting in the way. Many people find forgoing digital devices an effective way to avoid the stress that can result from constant connectivity.

3 reasons to unplug on a digital detox

Being immersed in the digital world is a part of daily life for many people. An average American adult spends 2 hours and 54 minutes on their phone each day, which adds up to nearly a month and a half in just one year. If you take this number and add the time you spend watching TV, playing games, and interacting with different media in general, the results can look quite overwhelming. Here are three reasons to unplug yourself from all that noise:

Improving mental health 

There’s no denying that technology has plenty of benefits, but the truth is that it also can bring you a lot of stress. The ever-present digital connection might keep you from performing to your full potential at work, be the reason behind your constant state of distraction, or affect your relationships with other people.

Moreover, heavy device use, especially at bedtime, can negatively impact your sleep quality and quantity. When you can’t get a good night of sleep, you might end up being groggy, feeling sluggish, and therefore feel stressed or unable to keep up with daily chores and work duties. A digital detox can help you rebuild your mind-body connection and gain back control of your days.

Finding work-life balance 

When you feel like you always have to stay connected, no matter what’s going on in the real world around you, it can make it incredibly difficult to stick to the boundaries between work and home life.  

If you’re used to always being online, you can find it hard to keep yourself from responding to work-related messages or checking your social media accounts even when you’re eating a family dinner or traveling on a much-needed vacation. Going on a digital detox can help you bring back these boundaries and establish a healthier work-life balance.

Getting rid of FOMO

Fear of missing out (FOMO) refers to the feeling that others are having more fun, living better lives, or experiencing better things. Excessive use of social media can also cause you to constantly compare yourself to influencers and leave you feeling stressed about not doing enough with your life. Going on a digital detox is a way to set limits and reduce your FOMO in a manageable way that doesn’t make you feel cut off from everything that’s happening in the digital world.

5 places to take a digital detox

With technology being an unavoidable part of our lives, more people are starting to look for ways to completely disconnect themselves from their phones and the internet. One of the most effective ways to do so is by traveling to remote locations. Here are five places that everyone can travel to in order to go off-grid and experience a full digital detox.

1. Lake Placid, New York 

Lake Placid is a picturesque village nestled deep in the magnificent Adirondack Mountains. Famous for hosting two Winter Olympics back in 1932 and 1980, the village is also home to Lake Placid Lodge - a waterfront hotel that offers its guests an opportunity to leave their phones at the desk until it’s time to check out. When disconnected from electronic devices, visitors can enjoy activities such as canoeing, hiking, skiing, dog-sledding (depending on the season), and many more.

If you don’t want to stay at a hotel, you can take advantage of cabin rentals or choose to stay in an Airbnb. The choice is entirely up to you, but no matter the decision you make, you’ll certainly have a lot of fun when staying in Lake Placid and going through your digital detox.

2. Yellowstone National Park

Out of the 63 national parks in the U.S, Yellowstone is considered by many to be the top destination of this kind. Full of dramatic peaks and pristine lakes, it’s a paradise for every adventure lover, but even if so far you haven’t been too keen on exploring the great outdoors, Yellowstone might change your mind.  

For the best and closest location to the park, you can choose to stay in Canyon Village. From there, you’ll have no problem reaching the very center of the park. You’ll be able to leave your electronics behind and fully commit to exploring the beautiful trails leading to hot springs full of breathtaking geysers.

3. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, the largest city in South Carolina, is another perfect place for unplugging yourself from the digital world. It’s a place that won't let you down with its cobblestone walkways, world-class restaurants, miles of stunning beaches, and incredible historic sites. You can either check into one of many hotels or choose an Airbnb for your stay.

Then, you’ll be free to travel back in time and check out all historic landmarks, ranging from historical churches to iconic, pastel-hued Georgian row houses known as Rainbow Row. You can also choose to get a ferry that will take you to Fort Sumter, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Civil War battles, or check out America’s oldest public gardens at the Magnolia Plantation.

4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 

If you have more time on your hands and don’t mind traveling internationally, you can visit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with its outstanding 32 islands, full of idyllic beaches, mesmerizing coral reefs, and turquoise lagoons.

With such beautiful scenery, unplugging from your devices will be incredibly easy and you’ll be able to focus on exploring everything that this Caribbean island country has to offer. Choose from activities such as yachting, scuba diving, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature and explore the islands’ capital city Kingston or smaller and more remote places.

5. Tulum, Mexico 

The salty air, the beauty of tropical flora and fauna… You’ve arrived in Tulum! Located in Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum is known for its tropical rainforests and jungles, as well as being the home of the ancient Maya people.  

Here, you can feel free to ditch your phone and other devices and go on a full digital detox. You can spend your days sunbathing or choose activities like snorkeling or diving. There are also fascinating Mayan Ruins waiting for you to explore them, as well as lively Tulum Pueblo - town center where you can experience local cuisine and culture.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, if you feel like no matter how hard you try, you still can’t tear yourself away from your phone and laptop, it might be time for a digital detox. Going device-free for an extended time can seem quite stressful or even scary, but once you decide to try it, you won’t regret this decision.

This experience will help you improve your mental health, find a better work-life balance, and get rid of that constant fear of missing out that many people feel when they get consumed by scrolling social media.

In order to really get off-grid and give yourself the best shot at succeeding, you can choose to detox from your electronics in places such as Lake Placid, Yellowstone National Park, or Charleston. If you want to travel to a different country, don’t hesitate to try the beautiful Saint Vincent and its chain of smaller islands or sunny Tulum in Mexico. You’ll be so consumed with exploring these places that you won’t even have time to think about going online. Good luck!