Are you a slave to your smartphone? Fingers twitch when you haven’t checked Instagram for 10 minutes, even on the beach? Digital detox holidays in Paphos are becoming increasingly popular to help travelers escape the everyday and let go of stresses at home. Here’s our guide to switching off.
What is a Digital Detox Holiday?
When it all gets too much, you might find you want to reset your relationship with technology. This is where a digital detox holiday in Paphos can help, and what better way to do it than on holiday? A digital detox holiday is best approached in the same way as giving up life’s other vices such as alcohol and sugar – for a short time it’s a healthy way to tackle modern excesses. When we talk about a digital detox we’re really focusing on unhooking ourselves from anything that connects to the internet, even via wearable such as watches and exercise trackers. You could simply avoid social media for a time, or shun the TV in favor of a book, yet still allow yourself access to the internet to check-in for that important return flight. After all, if you cut in half of the time you spent on internet surfing, you’ll still find yourself with at least two hours to enjoy real life, whether you’re home or away.
Reasons to Take a Digital Detox Holiday
If your first words when checking into a hotel or your holiday villa are ‘Can you tell me the Wi-Fi password, please?’ then technology is almost certainly hampering your hard-earned time out. By taking time away from tech and not constantly posting on social media, scouring the news or watching cat videos, you’ll find yourself engaging more honestly with the destination and enjoying the moment as it happens. Without our phones we’re also forced to spend time with ourselves and loved ones without barriers. Here are a few more reasons you should leave the tech at home on your next trip:
It puts you back in control
While it might sound like the wrong moment to deprive yourself, holidays are the perfect opportunity to digitally detox. For a start you’re in control of the number of items with a plug you can sling in your suitcase or backpack and not having your usual arsenal of electrical’s to hand is instantly liberating. Plus, banishing technology while being outside of the daily grind opens a window of opportunity for your brain to adopt new habits and rework your relationship with your gadgets.
You can truly leave work behind
With so many of us now using our phones for work, stepping away from the office is regarded as the biggest benefit of unplugging. One survey from Direct Line Travel Insurance recently showed 47% of us switch off the internet while on holiday, with the main aim of taking a break from work.
Where Should I Go for a Digital Detox Holiday?
From a staycation to a three-week trek there are no restrictions on where in the world your digital detox holiday can take place. But where you go will depend on the kind of trip you want; they generally fall into two categories:
The DIY tech cleanse
It’s easy to announce your holiday as digital-free but there are destinations that will make executing that easier. Having a digital detox in any big city where there’s Wi-Fi in every hotel, museum and café will put you under greater pressure than heading to a destination where you know connections will be patchy. Distract yourself with new experiences in bucket-list worthy destinations – or combine your trip with a hobby like painting, drawing or photography to take your mind off all those notifications and just enjoy a day on the beach.
Digital retreats with a villa rental , hotel or tour operator
If you feel a structure and help from other people will help you stick to your good intentions, choose a tour or retreat with a hotel. On a group digital detox adventure, the gentle peer pressure means you’re unlikely to buckle (on most tours your phone can be used in an emergency.) Several companies recognize group dynamics and bonding are much better without technology . You can book a private holiday villa or if hotel retreats are more your thing, many now offer bespoke digital detox packages with added extras such as local tours and spa treatments.
Via Love Exploring