How to Prepare for a Digital Detox

The anxiety most people feel about a digital detox isn't really about the phone — it's about being unreachable. Once that fear is handled in advance, putting the phone down gets a lot easier. Preparation matters more than willpower.

Before you go: handle the "what if someone needs me" problem

• Tell a small circle of people you'll be largely offline for the retreat dates, and give them one way to reach you in a genuine emergency
• Set an auto-reply on email noting your return date
• Hand off anything time-sensitive at work before you leave
• If you're a parent or caregiver, agree on a specific check-in window rather than leaving it open-ended

What a voluntary digital detox actually looks like

Not confiscated phones or a strict ban — a voluntary culture of powering down. Most people find that once the initial pull fades (usually within the first day), the raw elements of the environment do more to lower stress than a screen ever could.

Practical tips for the first 24 hours

• Put your phone in a bag rather than a pocket
• Use it for photos at set times rather than throughout the day
• Notice the urge to check it without immediately acting on it
• Use the impulse to check your phone as a cue to journal instead

What to expect emotionally

Some restlessness in the first day is normal. Many guests describe a specific moment, usually on day two, where the pull noticeably drops.

A short checklist before you leave home

• Notify your close circle and set up out-of-office replies
• Download anything you'd want offline in case you want it without signal
• Bring a physical journal
• Let go of the plan to "just check messages once a day"