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If you want more peace, you have to forcefully take it. With peace, comes clarity, with clarity comes focus… and with focus, comes magic.
Whether you need to recalibrate your goals in life, ponder upon your most important relationships, design a plan of action or process some unsolved pain, all of these things require stillness and space.
Every year, I head off into the mountains and spend some time going back to basics; just me, nature, a pen and journal. I always come back feeling rejuvenated and clearer, and I always marvel at the insanity of coming back online after a period of digitally detoxing.
Observing how my mind snaps, crackles and pops as I am freshly bombarded with two weeks worth of voice messages, emails and missed history podcasts or youtube videos.
Taking two weeks out like this is an absolute luxury and not possible for everybody, I get that. In this post I’m going to try and give you a few different paths you can explore on your own journey to digitally detoxing.
Photo: @willhatton__
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How to Win Back Your Mornings and Evenings
In a world where our devices have become a 5th limb that we impulsively pull from our pocket at the first sign of boredom or anxiety, it is a legit challenge to truly cut down on screen time.
As somebody who’s battled many addictions in their life, I’ve found that for me personally I have to not be physically around temptation. For my day-to-day life, I came up with a two phone system. My main phone I am only on from 9 am to 7 pm each day. It stays out of my bedroom, and I only look at it for the first time when I am walking on a treadmill – I am vehemently opposed to lying down and being on my phone as I have wasted plenty of time doing that in the past.
Photo: @willhatton__
In the evening, I switch to my secondary phone that has no YouTube or other streaming services, no social media… just Spotify, Audible and WhatsApp – the WhatsApp account I use rarely and only a small handful of people have the number. If I do think of something I simply MUST do then I’ll email my other phone from my evening phone so I can action it when I am back ‘online’ the next day. I’ve found this system has made my evening and morning routines significantly more productive, rejuvenating and, frankly, meaningful.
So, if you’re unable to dive in the deep end and do a full-on digital detox retreat, more on that in a moment, then have a go at implementing your own two-phone system or at the very least avoid having your phone in the room with you when you’re winding down for the night, put it somewhere else.
How to Actually Digitally Detox
One of my favourite broke backpacker ways to do this is to simply go for a multiday hike somewhere deep in nature – like Peru, Nepal or the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan territory. Of course, heading to somewhere as far-flung as the Silk Road or the Himalayas can be complicated and time-intensive.
Photo: @willhatton__
So to reclaim your brain in a structured way, perhaps the simplest way to roll is to explore the world of digital detox retreats. There are so many different ways to do this… Personally, I’ve been on two twelve-day digital detox retreats, but both of these were plant medicine retreats – more on that in a moment, they were freaking awesome and life-changing experiences filled with hard work and beautiful revelations.
No matter what way you want to do it – yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and loads more – there IS an option for you. Reclaiming your brain (and your time) means first putting down the device, and that’s a lot easier to do when you are surrounded by like-minded folks upon the same journey.
Benefits of Digital Detox
Going on purposeful digital detoxes has improved my mental health and increased my productivity like nothing else on my journey. More time in the present shatters your excuses and rewards you with a level of discipline that’ll put you head and shoulders above your competition and fill you with pride. The life you dream of can be yours – you just have to put the phone down. And once you do, a whimsical world of possibilities awaits.
Photo: @willhatton__
Internet addictive behaviours not only distract you from what life is REALLY about, but it can even lead to a loss of enjoyment in all that you used to love: also known as anhedonia. By going on a digital detox trip, you can expect to see all the following digital detox benefits and more…
- You’ll actually finish that to-do list: When you stop having access to easy distractions, getting ANYTHING done becomes attractive – this means you’ll actually feel motivated to work on what you need to.
- Your sleep will improve: Negative impacts on sleep have been seen from phone/social media use. And you need some solid REM for success.
- Anxiety will lessen: I don’t think we really understand how much these things are stressing us out until you go without them – as back to nature as it sounds, we were not made to process this much information daily.
- Self-esteem boost: It’s amazing how much you appreciate the little things more when you’re not comparing your reality to the facades of strangers on the internet.
8 EPIC Digital Detox Retreats
There are plenty more out there, but these eight digital detox vacations are fantastical choices to help you get off your phone and into your life…
1. Ditch Your Desk Adventures – Bali
This one’s a bit different from your typical silent or no-WiFi detox — but it might be exactly what you need, and best of all; you’ll get to see my smiling face in the flesh!
Ditch Your Desk is an experience I personally designed to help you pause, unplug from mindless scrolling, and learn how to use your devices intentionally. Phones are not banned outright – instead of that, you’ll engage in daily rituals, deep-dive workshops, and foster a real sense of community so you naturally reach for your screen less and your journal more.
The mornings are typically reserved for movement, journaling and nourishing practices so you can wake your brain up properly and start the day strong. These are then followed by a mix of practical sessions on clearing mental clutter, designing online income streams, and setting up the habits you need to keep your focus sharp once you’re home.
The goal of this retreat is to help you recharge and reconnect but also to arm you with the tools and skills you need to level up your knowledge on online entrepreneurship. We’ll also see some of the best sites in Bali, visit a sound healing temple, enjoy sunset BBQs and take part in fire ceremonies, saunas and cold plunges.
There’s no time to scroll mindlessly — you’ll be busy exploring the secret depths of Bali and yourself, accompanied by a crew of sick humans. You’ll be getting inspired. You’ll be remembering what life offline can feel like and what it really means to connect with yourself and a community. Plus – me! A whole week of my smiling face 😉
If your digital life needs a reset but you’re not about extreme unplugging, this is the sweet spot. I hope to welcome you there!
2. Temple of the Way of Light, Ayahuasca Retreat – Peru
Image: Will Hatton
In August 2023, I travelled to Peru for the first time and embarked on my first plant medicine retreat – an incredibly beautiful yet challenging twelve days in the Amazon rainforest with no electricity, simple yet tasty food, and the cries of birds and other wildlife surrounding me at all times.
This was one of the most powerful experiences of my life and allowed me to mostly process the end of a turbulent and toxic romantic relationship which had drained me spiritually, emotionally and financially for over three years.
I ended the relationship just before going on the retreat and rocked up with a lot of things to unpack. You can read about my experience here.
The Temple of the Way of Light is one of the most established and trusted, and also most expensive, plant medicine retreats in the world and is endorsed by Dr. Gabor Mate. My time there was worth the money and energy involved and I left feeling significantly lighter.
3. Casa Del Sol, Mixed Plant Medicine Retreat – Ecuador
My second plant medicine retreat was very different. I did this retreat in Ecuador in June 2024, with my brother alongside me. We had three kambo ceremonies, three san pedro ceremonies and two (very strong) ayahuasca ceremonies.
The retreat was not as well organised as the Temple in Peru and it was very different to what I was expecting but it was still a beautiful and worthwhile experience, at a more affordable price point. I also had my first experiences with San Pedro here and really found them to be… just gorgeous. If you’re looking at doing a plant medicine retreat but are not sure where to start, I recommend starting with San Pedro.
4. 7-Day Neurogenic Restoration Program – Ubud, Bali
This is a unique type of digital detox travel that you may have never heard of.
Bali’s got a LOT of options for retreats but this is one worth checking out for sure. It’s all about self-healing through spiritual awareness and seeks to rebalance the nervous system. Set in the island’s yoga and meditation hub Ubud, you’ll be in the like-minded company of others looking to get away from digital life and get back to themselves.
The week-long retreat has plenty of classes that allow you to really do the work you’ve been putting off, and the price includes everything except your visa, travel insurance and flights.
5. 6-Day Stillness: A Mindfulness Yoga Retreat – Rishikesh, India
Travelling through India is like exploring a separate universe and thus is not the most calming place in the world. I spent two years there and it was amazing yet exhausting. However, India is undoubtedly one of the most spiritual and otherworldly places on the planet and deserves a spot in this article. This Rishikesh-based digital detox centre allows you to experience the best of this eclectic town in seclusion. Though not a full-on ashram, it may as well be.
Your days will consist of copious amounts of yoga, meditation and sacred Hindu practices. This digital detox retreat is for all levels, and is highly rated for a reason: it’s the perfect spot to unplug and look inwards without distractions.
6. 5-Day Silent Hridaya Meditation Retreat – Monchique, Portugal
If you’re looking for a digital detox retreat in Europe, this Portugal meditation retreat might just tick all the boxes. A mix of silent sessions and Hridaya yoga, this affordable trip is set on a pristine piece of land complete with a natural swimming hole and some striking mountain vistas.
3 out of the 5 days will be spent without saying a word, which will be a transformative experience in and of itself. Introspection is the name of the game here, but you’ll also learn heaps about the world of yogic and spiritual practices.
7. 4-Day Shamanic Healing Retreat – Finestrat, Spain
Spanish mountains, breathwork sessions, and ancient shamanic rituals are all part of this euphoric digital detox trip. One of the most impressive things about it is the fact that it’s only offered around the equinox and solstice, both run by a whimsical couple on their homestead… which I really like the sound of!
This digital detox centre is the place to reset, rebalance, and regain control over your relationship with your phone. While on your inner quest, you’ll also get to enjoy home-cooked foods and go on hikes and walks around the massive, forested property. Don’t forget your journal – this is the type of place you could be up all night writing away!
8. 8-Day Mental and Digital Detox – Tuscany, Italy
In the awe-inspiring mountains of Tuscany, you can book in at a laser-focused mental and digital detox at a surprisingly fair price for this part of Italy. This retreat is all about rewiring the nervous system through a series of workshops and practices that will take you far away from the doomscroll.
This digital detox experience focuses on various different yoga practices, workshops and experiences led by well-trained staff. Known as Adhara Retreat, many say this week truly changed their life permanently, so don’t be afraid to put a lot into your experience to get the most back.
Getting Insured BEFORE Going on A Retreat
No matter what kind of detox you choose, make sure you bring good travel insurance with you.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Digital Detox Retreats
At the end of the day, we all need to take the time to reconnect with ourselves and to take more control of what really matters – forging our destiny. This is much easier when we strip away distractions and nothing is more distracting than our phones.
Give the two phone system a try, but if you really want to embark on a strong push then consider taking the plunge and finding a digital detox retreat; it can be a powerful way to move the needle whilst also making new friends and crafting meaningful memories 🙂
Photo: @willhatton__
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