There are different kinds of people on vacation. Some pack their schedules when visiting new places, waking up early and touring through new cities, marching every street, and visiting every iconic monument/museum/building until dawn. There are others who go camping and chill at the beach or the mountains, taking the occasional picture of a sunset or barbecue.
Some people want a packed summer full of action and excitement, while others want to relax. Take Athena. This summer she’s going to Spain to relax and unwind. The plot twist? No phone, no TV, no tech. Just the Spanish countryside, a lot of yoga, and, did I say no tech?
The appeal of a tech-free summer
In an age where screens and notifications dominate our lives, the idea of a tech-free summer can seem both daunting and liberating. For Athena, a young yoga teacher based in Groningen, the appeal of disconnecting from the digital world is irresistible. “I’m a yoga teacher, so I’ve been practicing and teaching a lot in the past ten years, and that’s how I found this place,” she shares. “For me, it’s a chance to really dive into the practice. It’s time to just be with myself and practice my meditation and my yoga.”
Athena’s retreat of choice is a yoga and meditation center tucked away in the mountains of Alta Garrotxa, Girona. This sanctuary offers a stark contrast to the usual urban environment with no traffic, no buildings, or internet network. A little haven where the focus is on inner peace rather than Instagram stories and X notifications.
“You can actually turn off your phone because everything is taken care of. Just turn off your phone and be present with yourself.”
Mindfulness and tech: antonyms?
Technology has become intertwined with nearly every aspect of our lives. Even the yogi world has welcomed techy innovations with yoga apps like Glow or meditation timers. Am I really the only one who tried out yoga workouts during the pandemic? Anyway, what’s clear is that technology can be found in every corner of our lifestyles. What is also clear is that most of us have or have had a somewhat toxic relationship with it.
A recent review in the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science found excessive screen time in adults linked to decreased mental health and quality of life, with more symptoms of depression and anxiety. As for children, governments across Europe are actively addressing screen overuse among youth. In the Netherlands for instance, its no-phone policy in schools is proving to enhance student focus and social interaction.
This constant connectivity can hinder the mindfulness these kinds of retreats aim to promote. However, it is also fair to say that mindfulness isn’t solely dependent on the absence of technology. Athena also points out: “Only because you’re not on your phone, that doesn’t mean you’re mindful. For me, being away from technology is a big part of my act of being mindful, but I find it’s also not necessarily a default. You can do things mindlessly without technology being around.”
The retreat experience
Days begin with early morning yoga sessions, followed by many more yoga sessions, meditation, creative workshops and just being in nature. The emphasis is on connecting with oneself and the natural world, rather than with the digital one.
The unwritten rules are clear: no phones, no laptops, no tablets around. At first, this might sound like a nightmare to the perpetually online, but for Athena, it’s a dream come true. “I love it. I definitely have a social media addiction or distraction addiction,” she admits. “Every time I’ve gone on retreat since 2015, it’s been kind of a relief that I can turn off my phone and put it away and not even think about it.”
Amidst the buzz around new tech gadgets and iPhone updates, many are turning their attention to the seducing promise of a week without notifications and doomscrolling that digital detox retreats offer. And you don’t need to go all the way to Bali (though it does look amazing). Europe is catching up to this inclination.
Many of these retreats focus on yoga, including silent yoga retreats where you don’t speak for days. However, the offerings are expanding to cater to anyone wanting a break from tech. You can explore tantra and dance retreats in Algarve or the Azores, join cooking workshops in Ibiza, hike around Tenerife, or take refreshing cold dips in the invigorating mountain rivers of Norway—all in a screen-free environment.
Humanity
By stepping away from technology, Athena hopes to cultivate mindfulness and develop a deeper connection with herself. “I think more mental calm. It’s like a sigh. You can enjoy being bored,” she shares. “You really allow yourself to rest. Not only in terms of sleep but during the day. If you go on a walk, without technology, you’re simply going on a walk; there’s so much less overstimulation.”
Indeed, the rewards of unplugging are manifold. “Depending on the practice and your mental state, it can really affect how you act or decide to do things.”
Athena is choosing to experience nature and community in a more authentic way. “Sharing and taking pictures to prove that you’ve seen all these things, making the vacation worth it by like showing all the beautiful things you’ve seen,” she explains. “A technology-free vacation can give you humanity. Not having to like seek the most intense experience but rather sitting back and noticing the world around you”.
More than sangría
In a world where technology often dictates our pace, Athena’s holiday choice offers a refreshing reminder of the value of slowing down and being present. Who knew Spain had more than sangría to offer? (yes this is a joke, don’t worry I’m Spanish myself).
As she prepares for her journey, she leaves me wondering the following question: What might we discover about ourselves if we dared to disconnect?
