Unplugged Retreats Are Trending — Here’s Why You Should Book One This Year

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Between endless notifications, doomscrolling before bed and checking emails over dinner, your brain barely catches a break. If you’ve ever woken up and reached for your phone before saying good morning to your partner, it might be time for a digital detox. Enter the unplugged retreat. 

These wellness-focused gateways are designed to help you step away from your screens and reconnect with, well — yourself. Whether you’re feeling burned out or just miss what life felt like before smartphones ruled everything, an unplugged retreat offers a reset you probably didn’t realize you needed. 

Why Take a Digital Detox? 

Science is catching up to what you already feel — screen time overload messes with your brain and body. Studies link excessive device use to poor sleep, eye strain, anxiety and reduced attention span. The constant ping of alerts activates your stress response repeatedly throughout the day, putting your nervous system in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight. 

By stepping away from screens — even for just a few days — you can restore your focus, regulate your sleep and experience genuine calm. Your brain gets a break from overstimulation, allowing deeper rest and reflection. Unsurprisingly, unplugged retreats are becoming a go-to for people craving clarity, presence, and purpose. 

Name Your Poison

Not all screen addictions look the same. Whatever your go-to, recognizing your biggest digital vice helps you set a clear intention for your detox. You might currently be tethered to:

• Social media: Constantly refresh your feed or check who liked your post.  
• Streaming platforms: Binge-watching just one more episode until it’s 2 a.m.
• Work email or Slack: Feeling the need to stay “on” even after hours. 
• News cycles: Scrolling through endless updates you can’t control. 

The Benefits of a Digital Detox

You don’t have to hike barefoot or sit silently for a week to reap the rewards of unplugging. Just a few days away from screens can lead to: 

• Better sleep: No blue light equals deeper, more restful nights.
• Improved focus: Without constant notifications, your brain can finally concentrate. 
• Mood elevation: Dopamine levels stabilize as you become less depressed, leaving you feeling calmer and more content. 
• Real connections: Unplugging makes space for genuine presence with nature, others or yourself. 

Top North American Digital Detox Retreats to Look At

Several niche retreats and resorts cater to the great unplug that’s trending, and you can access a few stunning places in North America and Canada. 

1. Drala Mountain Center, Colorado, USA

This Buddhist retreat is tucked into the Rockies, and it combines meditation with outdoor immersion. Silence is encouraged but not enforced. You can join group sessions or spend solo time in nature — no phone, no pressure. 

2. Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada

Stay at a luxury inn that feels like the edge of the world for an authentic “out of reach” experience. The inn encourages guests to embrace the island’s quiet rhythms — think wood-fired saunas, storytelling nights and stargazing without any digital distractions. It’s remote and offers rooms with no TVs and very little Wi-Fi connectivity for a natural digital break. 

3. Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa, Tucson, USA 

The digital mindfulness approach at the spa follows a policy of tucking your phone away in a secure pouch upon arrival so you can focus on being mindful and present. Each experience, including a floating meditation and culinary workshop, is designed to ground you in the now. While you can access your phone in your room, it’s discouraged outside, with a focus on wholesome activities like going to the spa, equine therapy and hiking. 

4. Silent Stay Retreat, California, USA

The glorious Napa Hills are home to this spiritual sanctuary, which offers peaceful days without chatter, screens or stress. Guided meditations and personal reflection help reset your inner compass. Use the daily periods of intentional silence and phone-free zones to reconnect with your center. 

5. Vetana Big Sur, California, USA

Ventana’s “unplugged” rooms come without TVs or Wi-Fi by design. Whether you’re soaking in a Japanese hot bath or hiking redwood trails, you’ll be too busy exhaling tension and inhaling bliss to miss your phone. The digital detox rooms expand into forest bathing, yoga and wellness rituals that reset your negative thoughts, so you’ll fully forget about logins and passwords. 

What to Look for in a Digital Detox Retreat

With so many resorts and spas offering “digital cleansing,” it can be challenging to know where to go. So check for these features: 

A Mix of Structure and Freedom

Some retreats offer guided schedules. Others leave your days wide open. Think about how much direction helps or hinders your ability to unplug. 

Check the Tech Boundaries

Ensure the retreat clearly defines its policy on phones, Wi-Fi and digital devices. Snapping photos to “remember” the experience should be carefully considered. You should experience the retreat, not revert to taking pictures the whole time. You want clarity so you’re not tempted or confused. 

Focus on Location and Nature

Being in nature makes it easier to unplug. Mountains, forests and oceans fill your senses so you’re less likely to grab your phone, and it soothes the stress of life in the digital age. 

Find Values That Resonate

Some retreats lean toward spirituality. Others are purely wellness-focused. Pick one that aligns with your craving, like stillness, reflection, movement, connection and healing.  

How to Do a Digital Detox at Home in 5 Easy Steps

You don’t have to go off the grid to reset. Mo Gawdat, former Google executive and founder of One Billion Happy, has a simple rule — every Saturday, he avoids all screens until 2 p.m. It’s how he stays present with family and protects his mental clarity. In a conversation with Simon Sinek, he shared how this boundary gives him the freedom to reconnect with what really matters — even in a hyperconnected world. 

You can create your own version of this. Here’s how to start: 

1. Set Your Detox Rules

Decide which devices and platforms you’re stepping away from — and for how long. 

2. Create Tech-Free Zones

Designate areas of your home, like the bedroom or dining table, as no-phone zones. 

3. Plan Offline Activities

Read a paperback, cook from a real recipe, walk or do nothing. That’s the point, after all. 

4. Let People Know

If you’re unreachable, tell family, friends and colleagues ahead of time to reduce anxiety and that fear of missing out. 

5. Reflect on the Experience

Afterward, journal or voice note what you noticed. Did you feel calmer? More present? Keep what worked and keep refining your digital diet policy. 

More Questions on a Digital Detox Retreat

Can a Digital Detox Help With Anxiety? 

Reduced screen time can lower stress and improve emotional regulation. 

Will I Feel Disconnected From Others Without My Phone? 

You might at first, but you’ll likely feel more connected to the people around you. 

Is It Ok to Use My Phone for Music or Meditation? 

If your phone has calming apps, that’s fine. Just avoid the rabbit holes like social media and texts. 

Do Unplugged Retreats Ban Phones Completely?

Some do. Others just encourage digital mindfulness and responsible use. Always check the retreat’s guidelines before booking. 

How Long Should a Digital Detox Last? 

Even a 24-hour break can be beneficial. But a weekend or whole week allows for a deeper reset and rest. 

Go My-Fi This Year

You don’t need to delete every app or live off the grid to feel whole again. Just pausing your screen time — intentionally and regularly — can help you remember who you are without the noise of “being online.” Whether you escape to a retreat in the mountains or set boundaries at home, unplugging is less about disconnecting and more about finally reconnecting.