Transform Your Life with a Digital Detox in Asheville, North Carolina

After an abundance of Zoom happy hours, online classes, and working remotely during the pandemic, I have developed a solid love-hate relationship with my technology. And I’m not alone.

Reports suggest internet use has surged by up to 70 percent during these times as individuals struggle to stay connected while remaining distanced. This increased screen time has led to a variety of negative mental and physical health issues, including sleep disturbances, anxiety, and lack of exercise.

So when I got the chance to head to Asheville, North Carolina for my first-ever digital detox, I hoped it would be an opportunity to break free from the dopamine rush of likes and comments and recalibrate my relationship with technology.

To commence my digital detox, I visited The Foundry Hotel, a pioneer in the digital detox movement, offering a customizable “Digital Detox Adventure Package.” They have partnered with The Arrivals, a design studio focused on mindful products, and Asheville Wellness Tours, a company specializing in off-the-grid excursions, yoga sessions, forest-bathing, and other holistic experiences.

Asheville: A Legacy Wellness Destination

Asheville’s wellness community has a rich history dating back nearly 200 years. Doctors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries deemed the Asheville plateau as “the great sanitorium of our eastern country.”

The cool mountain air and vast stretches of forest that attracted ailing travelers a century ago continue to draw health-conscious visitors today. Modern wellness seekers flock here for various activities, including soaking in natural hot springs, enjoying salt-cave therapy, and participating in sunset yoga classes. The delicious food scene made up of locally-owned eateries, often featuring healthy farm-to-table options, is an additional draw.

Preparing for a Digital Detox

Anxious about going off the grid—even for just a few days—I aimed to manage everything that might arise ahead of time. I shared my itinerary with my partner, set my out-of-office reply, and reassured my parents that no response was needed if they sent a text. I downloaded offline maps and took screenshots of confirmation emails and reservation details. I packed a physical book I’ve been striving to finish, my 35mm film camera, and a small memo book, while notably leaving behind all the usual cords, chargers, and adapters I typically travel with.

Engaging in a Digital Detox

A digital detox does not come with prescribed rules. It might mean a no-phones-at-the-dinner-table policy or putting away technology for weeks. My personal choice was to avoid any internet or wireless connections. I aimed to eliminate notifications, texts, emails, social media updates, and phone calls. Although I carried my phone, I only used it for taking photos, offline navigation, and viewing pre-saved screenshots.

Day 1: Reconnecting with Nature without Interruptions

On the first official morning of my detox, I hiked with Asheville Wellness Tours. My guide, Kim, and I embarked on a semi-strenuous 4-mile hike to the breathtaking Wildcat Rock overlook.

As I hiked, listening to the sound of the leaves crunching underfoot and inhaling the fresh mountain air, I began to feel a near-instantaneous shift in my mental state. Initially, I had to remind myself to stop anticipating digital interruptions and to resist the impulse to check my phone. However, as the semi-strenuous hike took precedence, I became fully present, focusing on the landscape around me. I remembered how deeply I cherish the scent of the forest and the feeling of tension melting away from my body.

The afternoon was filled with a leisurely exploration of downtown Asheville. I wandered through an antique mall, recalling objects reminiscent of my grandmother’s home. I had a late lunch of specialty tacos at White Duck Tacos and visited Malaprops, the local independent bookstore. I found a cookbook on local cuisine, spending time perusing recipes that intrigued me. Typically, my phone would have been a constant source of distraction during such an outing, but I caught myself reaching for it out of habit multiple times, showcasing how difficult it can be to break technology habits.

As night fell, I engaged in some quiet reading, finally diving into the book I had intended to finish for weeks. Later that evening, I attended a private yoga session with Asheville Iridescence Yoga, where I experienced a unique color therapy yoga class in a soothing blue light. My muscles expressed their gratitude for the extra stretching as I drifted off to sleep, feeling notably more relaxed without the incessant need to check my devices.

Day 2: Nordic Experiences in North Carolina

After a relaxing start to my day, I ventured to the Sauna House, seeking an immersive break from my devices. The Sauna House is a Nordic-style bathhouse that enforces a no-cell-phone policy. As a newcomer to Nordic sauna etiquette, I followed their recommended cycle of hot, cold, and relaxation, welcoming the mind-body reset that ensued. After 15 minutes in the wood sauna, I could feel my circulation increasing. A quick dip in the cold plunge awakened every nerve in my body. The final stage was spent relaxing on heated stone chairs while rehydrating. After two hours of this routine, I felt neither anxious nor awkward, nor did I crave my phone for distraction. Instead, I embraced the tranquility, observing details of the different rooms, the plants, and the gentle shadows playing on the walls.

Following the sauna, I appreciated the downtime to relax, read, and enjoy the sunset. Dinner was conveniently located at the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Benne on Eagle, where I savored the delicious combination of Southern and Appalachian cuisine, particularly the Moqueca, featuring octopus and North Carolina shrimp in coconut.

Day 3: Returning to the Grid with a Fresh Perspective

I woke up, aware that my detox was concluding, and I reluctantly checked my phone. After letting everyone know I was “back on the grid,” I used the 5-hour drive home to reflect on how to carry this experience forward even after my official digital detox had ended.

I’m now more mindful about reaching for my phone first thing in the morning; instead, I dedicate that time to writing and enjoying my coffee. Additionally, I’ve reduced the notifications on my watch to only those I consider essential.

Unsurprisingly, I’m already planning my next digital detox.