How to Disconnect: Digital Detox Tips for Your Stay
Our devices connect us to the world in incredible ways, but they can also create a constant state of low-grade distraction. The endless notifications, emails, and social media feeds pull our attention away from the present moment. A true sense of peace often requires more than just a change of scenery; it requires a conscious decision to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with ourselves and our surroundings.
A glamping trip at Return to Roots provides the perfect opportunity for a digital detox, promoting both mental and physical health. Our serene, natural setting is designed to help you slow down and be present. However, truly unplugging takes a little preparation and intention. This guide will provide you with practical tips to plan your detox before you arrive and embrace a low-tech, mindful experience during your stay. We’ll offer supportive advice on how to trade screen time for genuine rest and connection.
Step 1: Pre-Trip Planning for a Peaceful Mind
A successful digital detox begins before you even leave home. By setting up your digital life to run without you for a few days, you give yourself permission to fully let go. This preparation minimizes the temptation to check in and reduces anxiety about what you might be missing.
Tame Your Notifications
The first step is to silence the constant pings. Go through your phone and temporarily disable non-essential notifications from social media, news apps, and email. This simple act immediately reduces the phone's power to pull your attention. You can leave on alerts for calls or texts from close family for peace of mind.
Set Up Your Digital "Away" Message
Let people know you'll be unreachable. This manages expectations and prevents you from feeling guilty for not responding.
Email: Create an out-of-office auto-reply. Keep it simple and clear to improve productivity during your digital detox. For example: "Thank you for your message. I am currently away with limited access to email, returning on [Date]. I will respond as soon as possible upon my return."
Work & Social: Inform colleagues and key contacts of your planned absence. Consider posting a brief message on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, letting friends know you’re taking a break to recharge.
Establish Boundaries with Yourself and Others Such as Screen Time
Decide what your detox will look like. Will you go completely device-free? Or will you allow yourself a small window each day to check for urgent messages? There is no right or wrong answer, but defining your rules beforehand makes it easier to stick to them. Share your intentions with your travel companions so you can support each other.
Step 2: On-Site, Low-Tech Activities to Unplug and Recharge
Once you arrive at Return to Roots, the real magic begins. The key is to replace the habit of reaching for your phone with engaging, tangible activities that enhance your time with loved ones. By filling your time with mindful, screen-free alternatives, you won't even miss the endless scroll.
Rediscover Analog Entertainment
Journaling: Bring a notebook and pen. Use it to document your thoughts, sketch the scenery, or simply write about your day. Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and processing experiences without a digital filter.
Reading a Physical Book: Pack that novel you've been meaning to read. Getting lost in a good book is one of the most immersive forms of escape.
Playing Cards or Board Games: A deck of cards or a portable board game is perfect for connecting with your travel companions. It fosters conversation and laughter in a way that staring at screens together never can.
Get Creative with Nature Crafts
Engage your hands and your senses by creating something with materials from the natural world, promoting a healthy balance between digital relationships and real-life experiences.
Nature Mandalas: Gather fallen leaves, small stones, twigs, and petals. Arrange them on the ground in a circular, symmetrical pattern. The process is meditative and results in a beautiful, temporary piece of art.
Leaf Rubbings: A classic for a reason. Place a leaf under a piece of paper and rub the side of a crayon over it to reveal its intricate texture.
Rock Painting: If you bring a few non-toxic paints, smooth stones become tiny canvases for your creativity.
Go on a Sensory Walk
Turn a simple hike into a profound mindfulness practice. As you walk the trails at Return to Roots, consciously engage all five of your senses.
Sight: A digital detox can help enhance your perception of the world around you. Notice the different shades of green, the texture of tree bark, the way sunlight filters through the leaves.
Sound: Listen for the crunch of leaves under your feet, the call of a distant bird, the buzz of an insect, and the sound of the wind, all while taking a break from digital distractions.
Smell: Breathe in the earthy scent of the soil, the fresh smell after a rain shower, or the fragrance of wildflowers.
Touch: Feel the rough bark of an oak tree, the cool surface of a stone, or the soft texture of a moss patch.
Taste: This one is best saved for the snacks you brought, but you can mindfully savor a sip of water and notice how refreshing it feels.
Step 3: Embrace Mindful Routines
A digital detox refers to an opportunity to build new, healthier routines and improve sleep by stepping away from screens. Anchor your day with simple, mindful practices that ground you in the present moment.
Greet the Sun
Start your day by watching the sunrise. Find a comfortable spot, perhaps on the deck of your accommodation with a warm cup of coffee or tea, and simply watch as the sky changes color. This quiet, deliberate start to the day sets a peaceful tone without the immediate jolt of checking your phone.
Practice Mindful Breathing
Throughout the day, take a few moments to focus on your breath. You don't need any special training. Simply close your eyes and take five deep, slow breaths. Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth. This simple act can calm your nervous system and bring your awareness back to the present.
Honor the Sunset and the Stars
End your day just as intentionally as you began it. Make a ritual of watching the sunset, allowing yourself to disconnect from digital devices and reconnect with nature. As darkness falls, turn your attention to the sky. Far from city lights, the stargazing at Return to Roots is spectacular. Lay on a blanket and look up. Try to spot constellations or simply marvel at the vastness of the universe. It’s a humbling and awe-inspiring alternative to late-night screen time.
Step 4: Capture Memories Without a Screen and Constant Connectivity
One of the biggest reasons we reach for our phones is to take pictures, often influenced by our digital habits. But you can capture the essence of your trip without getting sucked into the digital vortex.
Use a Polaroid or Film Camera to create tangible memories that help reduce reliance on digital devices. An instant camera provides the satisfaction of a physical photo without the endless editing and sharing options. A film camera forces you to be more intentional with each shot.
Sketch Your Memories: Instead of snapping a photo of a beautiful vista, try sketching it in your journal. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. The act of observing closely enough to draw something commits it to memory in a much deeper way, encouraging a break from media and technology.
Collect a Small Token: Find a small, smooth stone, a uniquely shaped fallen leaf, or a fallen feather. Taking a small, natural souvenir (without harming the environment) can serve as a powerful physical reminder of your trip.
