You might not be surprised to learn that overall, 41% of Canadians have been spending more time online since the pandemic (Statistics Canada).
Among them, young adults aged 21 to 24 spend an average of 36 hours per week on their screens — the equivalent of a full-time work week! This phenomenon has even inspired a nickname: “smombie” (a blend of “smartphone” and “zombie”), which was crowned Youth Word of the Year in 2015.
This growing state of hyperconnection in our daily lives has pushed more and more people to seek out weekends or longer stays where technology is intentionally limited — a chance to finally breathe. In other words: a true mental reset.
There is even a Digital Detox Day (3D8) celebrated on the 8th of every month to raise awareness about healthier digital habits. And since 2013, the term digital detox has officially appeared in the Oxford Dictionary.
So while you’re waiting for your next big escape — or a full “digital fast” at a wellness or thalassotherapy retreat — here are a few tips to help you digitally detox at the cottage.
Because maybe being “in” simply means choosing to step “out.”
TAKE STOCK
Reflect on Your Motivations
The first step is to take an honest look at your habits and ask yourself the right questions.
What are you truly looking for when you go online or scroll through social media?
Is it to catch up with friends?
To distract yourself?
To stay informed?
To boost your ego just a little?
Maybe you’re afraid of missing out on something — the classic FOMO.
But what are we really missing online when we don’t know what we’re looking for?
In reality, we’re far more likely to miss out on what’s happening in the real world.
Dare to embrace JOMO — the Joy of Missing Out.
A Small Reminder
Each time you feel the urge to reach for your phone, pause and ask yourself:
“Why am I doing this? Is it truly necessary?”
Acknowledge Your Dependence
Some revealing indicators of digital dependency include:
- Is checking your phone the first and last thing you do each day?
- Can you go without it — even briefly?
- Do you feel a physical sense of discomfort when it’s out of reach?
- Are you spending more than 10% of your day on your screen?
- Do you chase likes as if your happiness depends on them?
These signs don’t lie.
Track Your Activity
To gain perspective on your usage and regain control, start by observing your screen time. Most phones already include built-in tools that reveal how much time you spend on each app — and the results can be surprisingly eye-opening.
GRADUAL DIGITAL DETOX
Set Usage Limits
Choosing an app that allows you to set a daily screen-time limit — for example 30 minutes — is an excellent way to encourage more mindful social media use.
You can also decide to check your apps only once a day, at a specific time, rather than constantly throughout the day.
ncourage Shared Screen Time
Instead of everyone isolating themselves on their own devices, try sharing screens: watching YouTube videos together, scrolling through photos as a group, or playing video games side by side.
It turns screen time into connection time, rather than disconnection.
Facebook: Love It, Hate It
Taking regular breaks from Facebook throughout the day can make a world of difference.
What about Facebook-free evenings? Or Facebook-free mornings?
Why not even try an entire weekend without Facebook?
While a full digital detox is ideal, a selective detox — stepping back from one platform or all social networks — is already highly effective.
Set a Digital Curfew
If your career requires you to stay connected, establishing a digital curfew in the evenings, on weekends, or during holidays is an excellent place to start — especially if self-discipline is a challenge.
Turn Off Notifications
Every “ping” or vibration tempts you to check your phone.
Turning off notifications entirely can quickly lead to a much calmer, more peaceful mindset.
Do Not Disturb
Keep your phone on “Do Not Disturb” or airplane mode as often as possible.
It instantly reduces interruptions and helps you stay present in the moment.
Take Time to Unsubscribe
Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read and that clutter your inbox — and your mind.
A lighter inbox often leads to a lighter mindset.
Try Digital Detox Apps
It may sound contradictory, but several apps are designed to help you lock, limit, or hide specific applications and games while still allowing calls.
These tools can be surprisingly effective.
Some popular options include:
- Petit Bambou
- Space
- Flipd
- Offtime, and many others.
One of the most original — and possibly the most stressful — is Forest:
when you disconnect, a tiny seed appears on your home screen and slowly grows into a tree.
But the moment you check your phone… the tree dries up and disappears.
Prioritize Other Features on Your Phone
Choose to relax by listening to soothing white-noise playlists, guided meditation sessions, or motivational podcasts instead of scrolling through social media.
Your phone can become a tool for calm rather than distraction.
Switch to Black and White
Change your phone’s display to grayscale.
The bright colours and attractive design of apps are purposely created to increase engagement — and even dependency.
Removing colour makes your screen instantly less stimulating.
- iPhone: Settings → Accessibility → Enable Grayscale
- Android: Settings → Color Filters → Select Grayscale
Do It as a Duo
Like many lifestyle changes, digital detoxing is much easier when you’re doing it with someone else.
Encouraging a partner, friend, or family member to detox with you helps you stay accountable — especially if you tend to slip back into social media without noticing.
GO ALL IN
Ban Screens Completely
Try not only turning off your screens one to two hours before bedtime, but also banning them entirely from the bedroom.
Out of sight, out of mind — and out of temptation.
Turn your bedroom into a sanctuary, and invest in a classic, old-fashioned alarm clock.
Use a Minimalist Phone
Go back to the kind of phone we all used to love — the kind that had one purpose: to make calls.
A minimalist phone can be a powerful tool for reducing digital noise.
Create Wi-Fi-Free Zones
Set up designated no-Wi-Fi zones at the cottage.
For example, decide that no phones or tablets are allowed in the living room or kitchen.
The following week, switch it up and choose another area.
Small rules create big results.
Leave Your Phone at Home
To create more meaningful moments with the people around you, try leaving your phone at your place of stay.
Simply having a phone nearby puts your brain in a constant state of alertness.
If it makes you feel more comfortable, choose a cottage that at least has a landline available in case of emergency.
Reach for Your Camera Instead
During meaningful moments or outdoor adventures, use your actual camera to capture the experience.
You’ll likely feel more satisfied and creatively engaged — and less tempted to scroll through social media afterward.
And honestly… maybe we should stop taking photos of absolutely everything and focus more on enjoying the moment itself, right?
This is definitely the most important step to avoid falling back into old habits!
What will you do with all those hours you’ve just reclaimed?
What did you love doing before becoming hyperconnected?
Here are a few ideas:
- Get a big breath of fresh air
- Write by hand
- Read books
- Play board games
- Meditate
- Or simply talk in person with the people you care about
Stay Active
Don’t worry about not being able to track your progress during your digital detox.
Most fitness apps allow you to log your workouts manually later on.
As you embrace this sense of mindfulness, freedom, and the idea that you don’t need to be reachable 24/7, you may be surprised by how much time you suddenly regain in your day.
After all, there are far more important things in life than a screen.
Before a “Right to Disconnect” law becomes a reality…
Before a formal Right to Disconnect law is adopted in Québec — similar to what exists in France — or before official “white zones” without connectivity are established, treat yourself to a voluntary digital retreat at the cottage.
It’s the perfect way to start your next chapter on a calmer, more intentional note.