- Monday, June 16, 2014

The Unplanned Digital Detox

(Photo Credit: Gary Hegenbart)

digital detox (n): a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world: break free from your devices and go on a digital detox (via Oxford Dictionary)

A digital detox is the perfect way to spend a weekend or longer without technology. Our family and a group of friends recently spent two days in the Redwoods of Humboldt County. There was no cell phone service, so it was a forced digital detox and it was perfect. There were about 45 people and 25 of them were under the age of 15. It was so refreshing to look around and see that nobody was on a cell phone or screen. Instead, they were riding bikes, playing in the woods, swimming, playing an instrument or just talking to each other. This experience was amazing for both adults and children. It wasn’t a planned digital detox, but it sure worked and I think that the experience would have been a little different if there had been cell service available. At first I was uncomfortable not having communication with the outside world, but very quickly got used to it and ended up having a really nice break from technology. I am so grateful that there wasn’t cell service as it gave us all a chance to connect with each other instead of being on our phones. We were all able to enjoy the natural environment and just be outside. 

- Gilly Hegenbart

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