Digital Detoxing on Vacation Is on the Rise

The first iPhone was released nearly 20 years ago. Since then, and in the last few years, most especially, those tiny screens have taken over our lives. The joke is that too many of us spend our lives alternating between small screen, medium screen, and big screen. Nowadays, it seems impossible not to spend at least some of your time looking at a computer or phone screen or even a watch or fridge screen. It can be exhausting. This is why, when people take time off of work, they also try to take time away from screens.

According to a new survey from TripIt, which polled 1,500 US-based adults, 92% percent of Americans plan to take a trip between now and the end of fall. During that time, 16% of Americans plan to do a digital detox while on vacation. While that's not an overwhelming majority, it's just one part of the pie indicating that disconnecting from the digital world is growing increasingly popular.

Camp Snap, a digital point-and-shoot camera without a screen, has also become increasingly popular with summer travelers. Even if you want to step away from your phone to quit doom scrolling and story lurking, most people open their phone cameras to take pictures. This camera is one way to curb that temptation and nix the screens entirely. In fact, the camera is so popular that it is almost completely sold out. Likewise, apps like Opal, which help users cut down on screen time, are gaining celebrity endorsements and are seen as a way to "live more." On Reddit, viral posts circulate about the endless benefits of ditching smartphones—for as little as a week or as long as a month.

The screen is quickly becoming a villain, a detractor from living an authentic life. The only way to recover is to escape the screens completely. And for most people, the only way to do that is to practice digital detoxing during vacation when they are already escaping the real world in other ways.

So, how does one truly embark on a digital detox on vacation? There's been a pushback toward analog for a while now, but on vacation, when packing space is precious, and there are so many pieces of information you need to have on hand, having a phone that can do everything is practical. How can you really unplug when your phone has your boarding passes, hotel confirmation, Google Maps, Google Translate, access to booking platforms, Resy, Instagram, and every traveler's main essential, Thrillist.com? Fortunately, digital detoxing is like juice detoxing in that you can make your own rules.

A good starting point is to actually use your PTO when you are on vacation, so you can turn on those OOO notifications and turn the do not disturb slack button on. No "quiet vacationing" or "hush trips." Americans use fewer PTO days than just about any other group of people in the world—break that mold. Instead, use your PTO so you can genuinely sign off.

Then, consider what analog swaps you can make while on the trip. Can you swap in paper maps or language books? Can you let friends and family know you'll be stepping away from messages and phone calls while you are on your trip? Should you get a camera so you can step away from your phone for longer?

Any combination of these actions can help you unplug from your devices while on vacation. Here's a guide on how to maximize your PTO this year, and here is an endless list of wellness activities you can embark on across the country once you ditch your devices.

Whether you need help sneaking weed onto a plane, finding an airport where you can sign up for PreCheck without an appointment, or making sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to when your flight is canceled, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for up-to-date travel hacks and all the travel news you need to help you plan your next big adventure.