Analog detox and digital wellness: Why unplugging is the new self-care

We might all love a selfie and a social media update, but mindful walks, time in nature, and digital detox experiences are the reset we're all in search of, and spas are stepping up.

Did you know the average adult checks their phone 144 times a day?

That constant connection with the phone can have a negative impact on our mental health, causing stress and anxiety.

Columbia University Department of Psychiatry writes: "Smartphones have transformed the way we communicate, learn, and entertain ourselves. However, their omnipresence can lead to compulsive use and a sense of dependency. The constant stream of notifications and updates can create a sense of urgency and a fear of missing out, leading to increased anxiety and stress."

To counter the negative impact of modern life, many of us are turning to the healing powers of nature, carving out time to quite literally switch off and go analogue with a digital detox.

What is analog wellness?

Dialling down the digital, logging off, and digital detox - there's an analog revival when it comes to how we spend our leisure time to support health and wellbeing. The term 'analogue wellness' is being used more and more, and it's exactly what you might think it is - it's swapping out online and digital hobbies and activities for more tangible, human experiences designed to reduce our dependency on screen time.

The top cited digital detox and analogue wellness activities across the Internet are said to be:

• Reading physical books (who'd have thunk it?)
• Tech-free retreats
• Phone-free spa and wellness experiences
• Device-free dinner times
• Morning and bedtime screen-free hours
• Writing in paper diaries or journaling
• Outdoor fitness including walking
• Creative hobbies like drawing, painting, and crafting
• Yoga and meditation
• Nature walks and gardening

Creating space for a digital detox

While we can all plan things to do at home to help us switch off, the addictive nature of technology, as well as its integral position in our lives can make it difficult. Having spaces where phones are discouraged is a good way to help create boundaries around our use of technology without feeling like we're missing out.

Historically, spas have not been spaces where the use of phones is encouraged. It's typically considered part of spa etiquette to leave your phone in your locker and enjoy the stillness. As phones have become a bigger part of our lives and the way we enjoy experiences, many destinations have relaxed their rules. However, some still actively discourage the use of phones in spas, helping to create environments where you can feel positive about going analogue for a little while.

Some of the best spas to switch off

All spas are great for switching off in some capacity or another, but others are especially good for a digital detox. In some cases it's because the format of the wellness experience doesn't lend itself to carrying a phone around, while in other cases they do ask you to leave your phone in your locker. That said, in coast and countryside destinations, you may simply find there's no signal anyway! Here are a few of our top recommended spas for a little analogue wellness:

Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall

The Scarlet Hotel is an exquisite eco-retreat in Cornwall, and a pioneer of modern wellbeing. Everything is luxurious but it's also about reconnecting with nature - from the reed-filtered outdoor pool to the coastal views. The emphasis on relaxation and disconnection includes limited mobile phone reception - it's like it's a sign to switch off.

Wild Spa Wowo, East Sussex

Wild Spa Wowo is a really unique experience where you enjoy thermal experiences in a natural forest glade for an experience like no other. It's another one where the phone signal is very bad, so you have to let go of your phone and everyone else who's there has to as well. The whole experience is deeply connected to the elements - water, fire, trees, and the open air are the framework for your time there, as you wander through three heat experiences: The Wild Sauna - an intense, Nordic-style sauna; The Cosy Woodland Sauna - a clay-lined silent sauna; and The Forest Room - a relaxing, steamy warm greenhouse with a forest view.

AIRE Ancient Baths, London

Set within a historic building in London, AIRE Ancient Baths London is a subterranean haven of wellbeing dedicated to a transformative experience. Journey through seven baths in a cavernous thermal suite, inspired by a fusion of Roman, Greek, and Ottoman wellbeing. It's a water-based experience where everything feels like a ritual. ove from the tepidarium (36ºC), to the caldarium (40°C) and frigidarium (14ºC and 10ºC). There's a vaporium (or steam room), which is scented with eucalyptus; a balneum, thousand jet baths, and a flotarium where you can quite literally float away. It wouldn't be remotely convenient to have your phone in here, but even so, you're asked not to use them in the spa. They note that the use of mobile phones and cameras is only permitted in the reception lounge - so it's a good chance to step away

Horwood House, Buckinghamshire

A four-star country house hotel surrounded by 38 acres of Buckinghamshire landscapes, Horwood House is a historic property with a modern spa. The H Spa at Horwood House is the pièce de résistance, drawing inspiration from the gardens, which are a running theme throughout the hotel. Spend time in the pool, sauna and steam room, and relax on the heated loungers taking in views of the grounds. In this luxury space, they request that phones are kept silent or switched off within spa facilities, while tablets/laptops are not allowed in the spa areas. It's a chance to take the time to enjoy a couple of hours of peace.