The best locations for a digital detox

Constant online communication isn’t always good for your soul or general wellbeing.

Sometimes it’s a good idea to step back from the 21^st century, recharge your body’s batteries, leave your laptop, smartphone and tablet at home, and indulge in a digital detox. Here are a few ideas and locations for you to try to get started.

Method: meditation and relaxation

Location: Greece
If you really want to empty your mind of trivia and social media, you could always start off by visiting a yoga centre. Here you’ll be able to cut yourself off from the stresses of everyday living and embrace the serenity of peace and silence.

When you return to the bustle of the contemporary world – whether you’re in the process of looking for retirement homes for sale or changing jobs – you’re like to do so with renewed energy and vigour.

Although yoga centres are available in the UK, those who want to combine their digital detox with a stunning holiday may want to try the Serenity Retreat in Greece. The centre offers meditation and a variety of calming therapies on the Greek island of Lefkada – combining beautiful surroundings with positive exercises.

Method: isolated retreat

Location: Mongolia

We often don’t realise how dependent we are on modern communication tools. You only have to take a look around your carriage on the tube to see that most people are engrossed with a small screen and aren’t taking the time to look at their fellow passengers or even talk to their companions.

If you escape for a digital detox, you’ll find that you can eradicate a lot of superfluous mental clutter and think more clearly without the distractions of Facebook or constant texting. A staggering 64% of holidaymakers check their work emails when on a break so if you want to avoid temptation then travel somewhere for an isolated retreat where lack of service will keep pesky digital distractions at bay.

Try visiting the Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia, if you really want to escape. There’s no Wi-Fi for 300 miles so you’ll be completely cut off.

Method: temporary relief

Location: London and Amsterdam

The author Nicholas Carr suggests that constant online communication creates, “shallower thinking, weakened concentration, reduced creativity and heightened stress” but you don’t have to go very far if you crave immunity from online distractions.

London residents can always escape to Selfridges where the store installed a felt covered special area – dubbed the Silence room – so that shoppers could chill out and take a short break from the modern world.

Similarly, central Amsterdam has erected some ‘No Wi-Fi’ benches where all electronic signals within a five-metre radius are blocked.

Method: mobile shutdown

Location: St Vincent

The popularity of digital detox holidays is growing. If you spend some time on a Wi-Fi-free break on the Young Island resort on St Vincent and the Grenadines you’ll be asked to hand in any electronic gadgets at reception and be offered the services of a life coach to help you start to appreciate your environment.

On a recent trip to Norfolk, Prime Minister David Cameron had problems connecting with the outside world so even a weekend in Gressenhall or Garveston might aid relaxation and help you reconnect with your immediate environment!