prabhuThe 21st century has aptly been called the “digital age.” Technology is everywhere now, and all of us are constantly connected to the internet. Of course, this is a great thing. It means that we can step into quick communication with anyone at any time. It also means that we can get any information about most if not all topics readily. However, there are downsides.
The internet, as we all know, is full of misinformation, which can result in some of us getting ahead of ourselves regarding serious issues. Not to mention, constant exposure to notifications and information has been linked to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and more. It is, therefore, not surprising that many people are looking to take a break.
A Tech-free Holiday
As you can probably guess, a tech-free holiday refers to the phenomenon of people who go on vacation, and completely log off the internet for the duration of their stay. That means they don’t have access to any social media website, they don’t use any online services whatsoever, and they avoid online entertainment, like casinos.com or similar gaming websites.
Of course, technology can’t be fully avoided. For example, you have to be able to pay for groceries or souvenirs on this vacation, so a credit or a debit card is still necessary. If you are driving there, you will obviously have access to your car. There are some examples of technology that simply can’t be avoided. But, for the most part, digital technology gets left behind, at least for a week or two.
While a tech-free holiday may sound like a blast, we would like to point out that there are some pros and cons to think about. That is why, in this article, we would like to go over the benefits of leaving technology behind, but also the downsides of doing so. If you are thinking about logging off for a few weeks, we hope this text can help you decide.
Reduced Stress
As we said before, technology is a wonderful thing. But constant exposure to notifications creates a sort of FOMO effect. For those who don’t know, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is a type of anxiety, which manifests as a fear that the person will miss out on a conversation, a fun night out, or any sort of group gathering. This effect is exacerbated by social media, where people constantly post images of themselves doing this or that.
Social media further exacerbates basic stress and anxiety, simply by constantly barraging us with new notifications from different people and businesses. So, taking a break from all of that is certainly a good way to improve our mental health, reduce our stress levels, and just truly relax. According to a medical study done in the past few years, time away from social media leads to improved mental health and well-being. So, a tech-free holiday will certainly benefit anyone who feels a bit overwhelmed.
No Contact
One of the downsides, however, of a tech-free holiday is that most people communicate by phone. Visiting different countries is especially tough, as you will need to communicate through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp. Of course, in order to use these apps, you will need an internet connection.
Some may think that there is an easy solution to this problem. Just log onto the internet whenever you need to communicate with your friends and family back home, and then log back off as soon as you can. However, there is a problem with that. Studies have shown that, once somebody logs onto the social media, it is difficult to log back off, as all of the notifications trigger the brain’s compulsive need to open them.
One solution to this problem could be a tech-limited vacation, rather than a tech-free one. What we mean is simple; rather than swearing off tech completely, just limit the amount of time you use tech for the duration of the holiday. It could be 30 minutes, it could be an hour, or even two. However, remember that, once you log on, it will be much harder to log back off.
True Enjoyment
When we are not distracted by the constant buzz of technology, we can truly enjoy what the holiday has to offer. Whether you have gone sight-seeing in some of the most incredible cities around the world, or if you’ve just gone down to a beach resort, and want to spend your time lounging away the hours, sunbathing and swimming; being distracted by the internet will surely undercut your enjoyment.
However, once you free yourself of the confines of the digital world, you will truly get to enjoy the simplicity of just having a fun vacation. Those who’ve tried tech-free holidays have even stated that they’ve felt like their time away from home felt longer, because they weren’t constantly online. Therefore, it felt like their holiday was longer, and they feel a lot more rested and relaxed.
No Pictures
Another big downside, however, is that you won’t be able to share your experiences with anyone back home. Not only that, but not pictures for social media. After all, most of us take pictures on our phones. Of course, there are solutions for this problem too. You can still have your phone with you, for one, and take all the pictures you want. Just make sure to share them on social media once you’ve returned from vacation.
If, however, you want a phone-free holiday all together, getting an analog camera is a good solution to the problem. Nowadays, analog cameras can be quite cheap, and most of them are digital, which means transferring the photos online is going to be easy once you’re back from your holiday. That way, you get the best of both worlds; a phone-free holiday and excellent pictures to show your family.
Closing Thoughts
Modern technology has played a huge role in simplifying the lives of most people. Not only that, but through technological innovation we can even fix world issues, like pollution, climate change, and more. However, nobody can blame us for wanting a break from it all. That is why, tech-free holidays are becoming more popular than ever before.
