‘Digital detox’ holidays where you ditch your phone let you enjoy your trip MORE ‘because you won’t be bombarded by notifications’
- Researchers asked 24 volunteers going on holiday to limit their access to tech
- This meant them cutting back on using their phone, maps and social media
- All of the two dozen participants were asked to share their emotion changes
- Scientists found they initially showed signs of anxiety and withdrawal symptoms
- But most ended up showing signs of acceptance, enjoyment and even liberation
The idea of leaving smartphones behind from a digital-detox holiday may seem impossible for some.
But a scientific study suggests the initial anxiety of ditching technology is soon replaced by benefits – including the feeling of ‘liberation’.
Researchers asked 24 volunteers – all were millennials except for two – who were going on holiday to limit their access to tech.
The idea of leaving smartphones behind from a digital-detox holiday may seem impossible for some. But a scientific study suggests the initial anxiety of ditching technology is soon replaced by benefits – including the feeling of ‘liberation’
This meant them cutting back on using their phone, laptops, tablets and services that come with them, including maps and social media.
All of them were asked to share their emotion changes when scrapping their digital lifestyles.
The scientists, involving two British universities, found participants initially showed signs of anxiety, frustration and even withdrawal symptom.
Those who travelled to urban destinations were more likely to experience anxieties and frustrations due to lack of navigation, the team said.
The urban travellers also said they struggled with the lack of instant information access and digital word-of-mouth recommendation seeking.
While people in rural and natural destinations felt withdrawal symptoms related to being unable to report safety or kill time.
However, most of the travellers ended up showing signs of acceptance, enjoyment and even liberation, according to the findings.
They also found that they learned more about sights, places and beaches because they were forced to talk to other travellers, especially locals.
Most of the participants disconnected for more than 24 hours, researchers wrote in the Journal of Travel Research.
And travellers who were part of a couple or group generally coped without having technology better than those alone.
Lead author Dr Wenjie Cai, from the University of Greenwich, said it was ‘helpful to see the emotional journey that these travellers are experiencing’.
‘In the current ever-connected world, people are used to constant information access and various services provided by different applications,’ she added.
‘However, many people are getting tired of constant connections through tech and there is a growing trend for digital-free tourism.’
Dr Cai added: ‘Our participants reported that they not only engaged more with other travellers and locals during their disconnected travels, but that they also spent more time with their travel companions.
‘We found some participants embraced and enjoyed the disconnected experience straightaway or after struggling initially.
‘While for others it took a little bit longer to accept the disconnected experience.
‘Many also pointed out that they were much more attentive and focused on their surroundings while disconnected, rather than getting distracted by incoming messages, notifications or alerts from their mobile apps.’
The study also involved a team of academics at the University of East Anglia and Auckland University of Technology.