Digital detox on vacation - temporarily giving up smartphones, tablets etc. - and a general detoxification of body and mind are very trendy. Many people's everyday lives are becoming more and more stressful and the use of smartphones, tablets and laptops seems to have become an addiction for many users. A countermovement has now developed. Above all, digital detoxification on vacation – the digital detox – is very trendy. How can you go without your smartphone while traveling? I'll give you lots of valuable tips and recommendations for digital detoxification and, using my own experiences, show you how you can improve your quality of life and look less at your cell phone, tablet or computer while on offline vacation.

I'll get mine iPhone out and take a photo. A picture of the fantastically beautiful Beach, a panoramic shot from the top of the mountain into the valley, a selfie on the plane, a macro shot of the food - everything was quickly sent to the family group via WhatsApp and added Instagram posted. Just googled something quickly. Now put your cell phone away? No, just check your emails and answer at least the most important ones quickly. How was that dream beach? I missed that one.

I confess, I'm addicted to my smartphone and wrote this post as a reminder to myself to at least put the phone away every now and then. Be offline on vacation and just do that Destination fully enjoy it? This is now the ultimate Things to do – but unfortunately much easier said than done.

Because let’s be honest: Many of us are glued to our smartphones, tablets and laptops all day long. Really all day. The average person spends around five hours a day in front of their smartphone or other screens Study has determined. Even on vacation and when traveling, things often don't change much. When we're out and about, we take photos and videos, WhatsApp and scroll through Instagram stories. We are connected to the world everywhere – just not where we are.

Good for those who don't have internet when traveling. But those days are long gone. Especially within the EU, because in the other countries of the European Union we have been able to continue using our mobile phone contracts for some time and no longer have to pay expensive roaming fees for LTE use. So fire away, the smartphone sticks to your hand even when traveling and can be used continuously.

Abstinence from digital devices problematic

Digital detox on vacation and giving up your favorite electronic ones Holiday gadgets is almost tougher than home and can really become a test of inner resilience. Smartphone addiction has now been well studied in studies and is a downright disease that changes the brain and has long-term consequences. Digital detox is therefore by far one of the most important holiday tips.

More and more people are surrounded by technology and digital devices in everyday life and when traveling and as a result feel stressed and overwhelmed. The smartphone is our constant companion and many find it difficult to break away from it and enjoy their travel destination to the fullest. The idea of ​​spending a vacation offline and doing without our beloved electronic vacation gadgets can almost become a test of our inner resilience.

Video – Insights from a Professor about Digital Detox

Below I have selected a video in which a professor of communication describes his findings about digital detox and the importance of digital abstinence.

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Long-term consequences of smartphone addiction

I believe that constant digital use is not good for us - we all feel that in some way. Science now proves this: the dependence on digital devices and the negative effects on mental health are well documented - for example by one Study about problematic usage habits among children. The negative impact is now well researched and has been proven to be a real disease that alters the brain and has negative long-term consequences.

You really don't have to be a prophet to understand the negative consequences of long-term use. How often are you irritable every day? How often sad because people on Instagram supposedly have a better life? Do you get nervous when you don't have your smartphone with you? Yes, exactly, I know these symptoms too. For this reason, the idea of ​​digital detox is becoming more and more important. We will come to the point where abstinence becomes so urgent that we can no longer put it off.

Brief overview – start the digital detoxification on vacation

• The holidays are the perfect time to make a cut and start a digital detox.
• Many people now spend an unhealthy amount of their lifetime in front of smartphones, tablets and computers.
• Digital Detox means digital detoxification and means saying goodbye to electronic gadgets for a certain time.
• The goal is clear: you want to be less distracted, concentrate on what's important and finally really relax again.
• With my digital detox tips for traveling, it will be much easier for you to put your smartphone aside while on vacation.

Book your well-deserved vacation now!

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Digital abstinence when traveling – Are smartphones just too practical?

My experiences as a smartphone addict

In my defense, I have to say very clearly that I am so dependent on smartphones for a reason. The technical ones Gadgets They are incredibly practical and can support me in a variety of ways in everyday life and when traveling. I use it as an alarm clock, as a camera, as a navigation device, for listening to music, for reading books, for playing computer games, for working, for communicating via various messengers and occasionally even as a telephone.

As a travel blogger and influencer, it is also my job to ensure that my postings are up to date. So I spend a good part of my travels posting something on Instagram or new ones Create blog posts. With so many possible uses, how are you supposed to keep your hands off it?

The increase in productivity and the diverse possibilities have simply driven me completely into dependence on the smartphone. But now the pendulum is swinging back and people like me are realizing how much of their lives they spend on electronic devices. They discover how far they have come from being present in the world and going through life with their eyes open. Digital detox can be even more important when traveling and an offline vacation can provide an important stimulus to regain your quality of life.

I would definitely call smartphone addiction a disease – a tricky one. I've tried so many times to maintain a certain digital abstinence. But it doesn't work well for long. There is always something to do on your smartphone or computer. To achieve it, you really need iron-clad discipline – and constant memory of what you have set out to do.

Quick guide – digital detox in a hurry

If you don't want to wait any longer, you can start digital detox right away with the following instructions. It only takes a minute to initiate the appropriate steps.

• Delete some or all social media apps from your phone. If you can do this, you are strong!
• Put your phone in airplane mode. How long can you keep this up?
• Turn off all notifications. Try keeping notifications off for as long as possible.
• Keep your phone out of your reach. How quickly do you get nervous when your smartphone is not with you?
• Set a daily screen time limit. Can you keep it?
• Find an alternative hobby or activity. What hobby doesn’t the smartphone support today?

With abstinence, the quality of life returns

Yes, it is never too late to get your quality of life back. I realize how deeply I have entered an unreal world of smartphone apps, constant computer use and perhaps isolation. It's not that easy to get out of there again, because I've now developed real addiction symptoms and a smartphone dependency. Of course, the same applies to laptops and tablets or similar devices with which you can spend a lot of time. I don't want to demonize these technical gadgets at all.

Because you will laugh, this post is on one Mac while traveling written and allows me to be productive even during a long flight. The trick to digital detox when traveling and attempting an offline vacation is to find a happy medium and not become so insanely dependent on the devices. Just let go again, stop staring at the screen lost in thought, but be present in the world, notice your surroundings and enjoy the journey to the fullest. That sounds very romantic, doesn't it?

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Digital detox tips for smartphone abstinence on vacation

Digital detox is a two-way street. I think it's incredibly difficult to do without your smartphone these days. Just by following my tips and trying out the digital detox, you'll be ahead of most people - who go through the world like smartphone zombies and have no intention of changing anything.

The easiest way to implement the following digital detox tips for your vacation is if you don't put pressure on yourself. If you find yourself relapsing and interrupting your digital detox while on vacation, you can easily start over. It takes a few weeks (usually around 60 days) until a new habit is established and you automatically put down your smartphone. It's worth the effort, you won't to regret.

1. Be aware of how much time you spend on your smartphone

Insight comes before change. To understand how harmful long-term use is for you, you should understand how many hours you spend in front of your devices and what you do while doing so. If you read a book for ten hours eBook Reader If you read it, it's completely different than playing a meaningless game for ten hours.

Realize how much time you waste on smartphones etc. To do this, look at the usage analysis on your device. You'll be shocked at the number of hours you spend in front of the device per week.

2. Mindset - the right inner attitude is the most important step

After the shock, the desire for change arises within you. Make it clear to yourself what positive influences digital detox on vacation and smartphone abstinence while traveling could have for you. Being offline on vacation can trigger a scary change. You should feel like putting your smartphone away, then you have the right mindset for digital detox.

3. Turn on automatic out-of-office messages

Before you go on vacation, set up automatic notifications that automatically send an out-of-office message via email, messengers and WhatsApp when someone sends you a message. This at least gives you the good feeling that your contacts are informed as to why they are not receiving a response from you.

4. Selective use of tech gadgets

Make it clear to yourself in which situations you cannot do without your smartphone when traveling, such as when you use your cell phone as a camera, Travel Diary or alarm clock - and make it clear to yourself that you will put the gadget away immediately after using it for its intended purpose. This is particularly difficult at the beginning when there is still a risk that you will fall back into long-term use.

5. Turn off notifications

Make frequent use of the “Do Not Disturb” mode on your gadgets. If your smartphone no longer constantly flashes and vibrates, that's a step in the right direction because it no longer constantly attracts your attention.

6. Switch on offline mode

Switch off notifications is one thing, even better is to turn off the offline mode and just disconnect from the Internet. Being offline on vacation is an art you have to master first.

7. Put tech gadgets out of sight

Put your devices in your bag or, better yet, in a box so you can't see them - out of sight, out of mind. If you have a safe in your room at the hotel, you can also put your smartphone, tablet, etc. in the safety cabinet. They are safe there and out of your sight.

8. Delete apps – get rid of the nastiest time wasters

You can also simply delete the nastiest time-wasting apps before your trip and make sure you don't have any stupid thoughts while on vacation. I now do this regularly and have simply deleted apps that captivate me for hours, such as Google News and Monopoly Go, from my smartphone.

9. Relapse into smartphone addiction?

If you relapse into smartphone addiction, don't give up or get depressed - keep trying until it works. Until it works. It takes up to 60 days for a new habit to develop and become a routine. Repetition means learning – and if you practice your new skill long enough, it becomes solidified.

10. Successful without spasm: let it go easy

Take it easy on your digital detox on vacation and try not to give up on cramps, smartphones etc. - as with any other “withdrawal”, a slow reduction in activity can make more sense here. Limit your time on the devices and stick to your limits. That alone increases well-being.

11. Enjoy your new freedom

Enjoy the new freedom and the increase in quality of life - as with all other habits, it will take a while for the new behavior to become established - a vacation can be a good initial spark for this. A world full Adventures waiting for you!

12. Celebrate your success and reward yourself

If you've lasted a few days or weeks without a smartphone, you should celebrate your success and reward yourself. Get your friends involved. Share the success and set further goals together - and think together about how you can use your time without a smartphone wisely.

What does Digital Detox mean on vacation - and what does not it mean?

Digital detox on vacation doesn't mean that I have to start desperately trying not to pick up my smartphone. That would certainly be a completely wrong approach and would only lead to an unpleasant yo-yo effect that would occur after the trip at the latest. The approach should be to use the smartphone consciously and put it aside after it has been used for its intended purpose. The intended use should be as short as possible.

Accordingly, it becomes clear what digital detox means to me on vacation: Use the smartphone consciously - if necessary - and put it aside at every opportunity. No more staring at the screen for hours, lost in thought, reading useless news articles or scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. Is this really how I want to spend my vacation? I come back, I'm no longer lost in thought in front of my smartphone and instead I start to be present in the world, consciously notice my holiday destination and let my thoughts wander.

What sounds so good and simple is incredibly difficult for many people in the modern world. In order to do a truly sustainable smartphone detox and experience digital detox while traveling, I should go a little further and put my detox on an even more solid basis.

Combines digital detox with yoga, meditation and mindfulness while traveling

Breaking the addiction to smartphones is an incredibly difficult task for many people - as I know from my own experience. It is almost comparable to quitting smoking. The comparison is a bit flawed because you don't stop using gadgets completely, you just reduce their use slightly.

In order to significantly increase the effect of your digital detox on vacation and noticeably improve the results, you should combine your smartphone detox while traveling with a program of yoga, meditation and mindfulness (mindfulness training). Because mindless smartphone use is usually accompanied by lost thought and absence, which is pretty much the opposite of mindfulness.

In order to significantly improve your own attention and also significantly increase your well-being, you can book a yoga and meditation program in many hotels and holiday resorts. Mindfulness training usually goes hand in hand with meditation. The yoga exercises probably relate most closely to the physical component (not only) and meditation supports you in becoming calmer, more relaxed and calmer. Avoiding the smartphone and other technical gadgets in combination with exercises for greater well-being are a powerful tool to really catapult you out of everyday life and stress.

Where can you best go on a digital detox vacation?

When it comes to your digital detox, the motto is: the more exotic and remote the travel destination, the better. I'm on my last detox vacation on the Thai holiday island Phuket Spent and me there for a week in remote Baan Krating Phuket Resort quartered in order to be able to really switch off. The less the holiday destination you choose corresponds to your ambience at home, the easier it will be for you to really switch off. Southeast Asia, the islands in the Indian Ocean such as Mauritius, the Maldives and numerous other destinations in the tropics are ideal for a digital detox vacation. The further and more remote, the better.

But if you don't want to go that far away, you can also stay in a cozy mountain village in Austria. I tried that out a while ago too - and I have to say: the Alps are also simply brilliant for switching off from your cell phone. When you go hiking and get a little off the beaten path, you can forget about the world because you're distracted by your surroundings. Just as the smartphone distracts you from the world, the other way around also applies: Anything that distracts you from the smartphone is helpful for digital detox on vacation.

Short break – just try a digital detox weekend

Before you try digital detox on vacation, you can try it out with a digital detox weekend at home. Because that's already hard enough. I tried it myself and it takes a lot of energy. Detoxing from digital devices is incredibly unusual at first and means that you actually feel a kind of withdrawal at times. You have a strong need to reach for your smartphone, tablet or laptop and carry out the standard procedure - checking emails, reading messages or similar usage behavior.

Anyone who has managed to go without gadgets for at least a day will suddenly realize how dependent they have been so far. He will then get a powerful boost of motivation to continue with the digital detox. In this way, you can train for the digital detox on vacation during a weekend at home and prepare yourself for even better results on the trip. My own first digital detox weekend turned into a roller coaster ride of emotions. It took me a long time to achieve success with the digital detox.

Digital Detox Hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Many people are specifically looking for places where they can relax and leave everyday life behind them without being distracted by digital devices. In Germany there are now a growing number of so-called digital detox hotels that serve exactly these needs. These hotels offer their guests special offers and programs to help them disconnect from the digital world and find a new balance. Key features of Digital Detox Hotels include:

• No or limited use of internet and mobile phones in the hotel
• No TV or radio in the room
• Relaxation and mindfulness programs such as yoga, meditation and forest walks
• Health programs such as detoxification and healthy eating
• Creative offers such as painting and writing workshops.
• The goal is to give guests the opportunity to focus on their health and well-being, undisturbed by digital distractions

You can find some hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland that specialize in digital detoxification. Unfortunately, I haven't visited any of them myself - but it would certainly do me good as an online marketing manager. I practice digital detoxification myself while on vacation. However, putting your experiments in professional hands is a completely different approach.

1. Gut Saunstorf – smartphone-free in the modern monastery

Gut Saunstorf is a hotel with a spiritual approach that offers meditation, yoga and coaching. Gut Saunstorf is a modern monastery near the Hanseatic city of Wismar that describes itself as a place of silence. It offers you the opportunity to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reflect on your inner being. You can practice meditation, yoga and coaching there or simply enjoy the nature and beauty of the place.

The hotel has different room categories, from single rooms from EUR 85 per night to suites from EUR 165 per night (all prices subject to change). All rooms are individually designed and equipped with high-quality materials. The hotel also offers vegetarian full board.

If you would like to take a break in the monastery, you can choose between various offers, such as retreats, retreats or seminars. These offers are usually thematically oriented and are led by qualified teachers and companions.

Information about Gut Saunstorf: kloster-saunstorf.de

2. Schlossgut Oberambach Bio-Hotel – digital detoxification in a picturesque landscape

The Schlossgut Oberambach Bio-Hotel & Vitalzentrum is a hotel on Lake Starnberg in Bavaria that is dedicated to ecological and sustainable tourism. It lies in a picturesque landscape with views of the Alps and features a large park with a natural swimming pond.

The hotel offers you rooms and suites with individual furnishings and organic quality. There you can enjoy regional and seasonal specialties from organic farming or let yourself be pampered in the spa area with a sauna, steam bath and massages.

The hotel also emphasizes digital detox, turning off Wi-Fi between 23 p.m. and 7 a.m. Instead, you can enjoy the peace and nature or take part in various activities, such as hiking, cycling or yoga.

Information about Schlossgut Oberambach Bio-Hotel: Schlossgut.de

3. Vigilius Mountain Resort – ecological sustainability and digital deceleration

The Vigilius Mountain Resort is a 5-star hotel near Lana in South Tyrol that can only be reached by cable car. It is located at an altitude of 1500 m in an idyllic mountain landscape and offers you an oasis of peace and nature.

The hotel is a modern wooden house that blends harmoniously with the surroundings and is made from renewable resources. It has 41 rooms and suites with panoramic views and minimalist design. It also offers a spa area with a pool, sauna and massages, as well as a restaurant serving regional and organic cuisine.

The hotel values ​​ecological sustainability and digital deceleration. There is no WiFi or TV in the hotel, just books, music and art. Instead, you can explore nature or participate in various activities, such as hiking, skiing, or yoga.

Information about Vigilius Mountain Resort: mountainresort.vigilius.it

4. Schlosshotel Fiss – digital detox in luxurious surroundings

While researching this article, we came across a very exciting offer for digital detoxification. At the Schlosshotel Fiss, Digital Detox is trained in a luxurious setting during a "SWITCH OFF holiday" with author Monika Schmiderer. If you want to put yourself in professional hands on a digital detox holiday, you are probably in the right place here and can professionally learn how to do without technical gadgets. The Schlosshotel Fiss is a luxury hotel and is located in Tyrol.

Information about Schlosshotel Fiss: Schlosshotel-fiss.com/digitaldetox

Digital Detox Coach - advice better before the offline vacation

There are now a whole range of digital detox coaches who can help you find your way out of smartphone addiction. If you don't want to try it alone or would like to get inspiration from a professional coach instead, it's usually better to do this before your offline vacation so that you can draw on the positive findings from training from home later during the trip.

Whether a digital detox coach makes sense or whether you can try detoxification on your own depends on each case and, above all, on the severity of your smartphone addiction. Since I have had so much experience with the topic myself, I would be happy to put together individual coaching for you to help you with your smartphone addiction.

Let digital detox apps support you on your offline vacation

Some digital detox apps are also practical and will help you avoid relapsing during your offline vacation. There are now many applications that are more or less helpful. For example, I use the app Forest (on Apple iOS) to give my devices a break. If you leave the timer running and don't use the device, a digital tree grows in the Forest app. The longer you don't use the device, the higher the trees grow and the more trees are created. If you don't use your device often, a whole forest is created.

Some smartphone manufacturers have been integrating usage breakdowns for a long time, for example with iOS devices. There you can see how much time you spent in front of the screen daily, weekly or monthly. This can be quite frightening. Apps like Instagram and Facebook now offer similar functions. What all digital detox apps have in common is that they either want to draw attention to usage time or actively prevent you from using your device's screen.

Book your well-deserved vacation now!

Book your dream vacation now at favorable conditions on the renowned booking portal HolidayCheck – top rated by Stiftung Warentest (01/2024). Click and browse now!

FAQs Digital detox on vacation - the most important questions and answers

I have put together the most important and most frequently asked questions and answers about digital detox in general and digital detox on vacation and when traveling for you below.

Further and in-depth reading on the topic

• Weiler, Dr. Julia (2022): Fewer smartphones, more well-being, Ruhr University Bochum, [online] https://idw-online.de/de/news792100 [accessed November 20, 2023].
• Sohn, S.Y., Rees, P., Wildridge, B. et al. Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and associated mental health outcomes among children and young people: a systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry 19, 356 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2350-x [accessed November 20, 2023].
• Andrews S, Ellis DA, Shaw H, Piwek L (2015) Beyond Self-Report: Tools to Compare Estimated and Real-World Smartphone Use. PLoS ONE 10(10): e0139004. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139004 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0139004 [accessed November 20, 2023].

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Digital detox on vacation and offline when traveling - and then everything is the same again?

My conclusion

Digital detox on vacation is very trendy for a reason. We are constantly bombarded with impressions from all directions. The smartphone and the apps installed on it are intended to keep you engaged so that you use them as often and as much as possible. When you're on vacation on the beach lounger, you suddenly have a lot of free time - and as soon as you know it, you're reaching for your smartphone.

I know it myself – it is always there and available. Even in the moments when you should actually be present. No matter whether at Christmas with your parents under the Christmas tree or on the beach lounger when you should actually be listening to the sound of the sea.

Try digital detox every now and then

This is incredibly stressful for our brains, which are generally unable to cope with this amount of data. In order to cope with the flood of stimuli, physical and mental detoxification is the appropriate means and can really help you find your way back into the world. I have found in my own experience that quitting a smartphone is easier said than done.

This makes it all the more important to at least take a digital detox every now and then - and at least try it. And what better time than a vacation? Give it a try and you'll realize what you've missed while immersed in the digital world.

Have you ever thought about doing a digital detox while on vacation? If so, have you tried it and what experiences have you had? Or have you decided to do it but haven't managed it yet? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments.

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