Have you ever noticed yourself and others gathered together and everyone is sat in silence, engaged in their individual mobile screens? Or maybe you have been on a train journey and observed everyone is gazing at the latest social media trend rather than talking to the person next to them? It’s something we have all fallen victim to at times, especially as mobiles are permanently in our pockets and are now our primary way of capturing moments on camera and connecting with people around the world.

Though technology can be a real gift, it can also lead to disconnection from the real things around us that are often neglected in this digital age; such as listening to the laughter of children, noticing birds of prey elegantly twist and turn in the wind or even hearing kind words that can stay with you for life. Having our heads stuck in technology can make us miss some of life’s most precious and special moments. Being present can help us to relax and de-stress and enjoy the beautiful, natural gifts of life.

With April being Stress Awareness Month, we wanted to give you some tips on how to unwind, de-stress and get some of the connection we all need and crave from our loved ones and disconnecting from technology can be a great way to achieve this.

Tips on how to disconnect:

Routine: creating healthy digital daily habits can help us not only mentally but also physically. By not using tech for the 1st & last hour of the day, you are not exposing yourself to what we call ‘blue light’ which stimulates the brain, suppresses the body’s creation of melatonin and makes it difficult for us to settle and get a good night’s sleep. Starting the day with technology doesn’t allow us to ease into the new day, enjoy the birds tweeting outside, or be present with our own thoughts.

Do not disturb: By activating ‘do not disturb’ mode on your phone, you can enjoy focused time with loved ones & find your flow with work or hobbies (you can set certain contacts as favourites who can still contact you in an emergency). This will ensure you don’t become a slave to replying to messages and emails at any time of day or night.

No-go area: don't have your phone near your bed and ideally leave it in a separate room. This will not only help you wind down, but it can also be a big mood killer! Spend the time you would do on social media, talking to your partner or reading a good book.

Digital detox: why not have 1 day a week with no technology and spend it with your family or friends? It may seem like a big commitment, but the feeling of not being contactable 24 hours a day is totally freeing and allows you to be 100% present in the moment and enjoy quality family and friend time! See if you can convince your family to share in your digital free day & lock your devices and remote controls in a box for the day.

Off grid holiday: consider booking a digital detox holiday with no TV or WiFi. Only use your phone to take photos (have it on aeroplane mode to avoid being disturbed) or use a dedicated camera for capturing your trip - it could make it even more enjoyable to get them developed or look back through them when you get home - a chance to relive the happy memories and spend time completely in the present while you’re away! A great way to do this is to take a romantic glamping or camping trip where you can stargaze, gather around the fire pit and make memories together!

Well-being app: try using a digital wellbeing app to set time limits on certain apps as well as restrict apps you find yourself drawn to regularly that you only want to access occasionally and intentionally. This will remind you how long you spend on each app and sometimes the results are shocking to say the least!

So, what are the benefits of disconnecting with technology and reconnecting with loved ones and yourself?

1) Time: It frees up time for doing things you love but don’t find the time for. The hours you gain back from not being on the screen adds up very quickly. Start that art project, enjoy that walk, see that place you have always wanted to visit!

2) Focus: With less time spent looking at the news and social media you can instead focus on what you can be doing in your own life - because let’s face it the news can be draining and negative and seeing what other people are eating for dinner isn’t really adding any value to your life. We’re not saying be ignorant of what’s happening around you and in the world, but don’t go into a rabbit hole and forget to make your own dreams and goals happen!

3) Boundaries: Setting boundaries can be hard, but it can be healthy to limit when work can reach you, protecting sacred time for yourself and family (being accessible to work emails 24/7 is typically unnecessary but has become acceptable). The setting of boundaries can have a negative association, but it takes a strong person to say no to something they know isn’t good for them.

4) Hormone levels: Ever heard of dopamine? Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter - our body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. Often the rings and pings of our phone trigger this dopamine effect in our bodies which we crave and over time find ourselves more and more drawn to using technology to satisfy this natural desire. A digital detox can help you de-stress and reduce the dopamine effect you get when your phone pings, helping to break the habit of scrolling and looking at our devices.

5) Sleep: This is a huge one for a lot people. Disconnecting from technology can mean better sleep and longer sleep - more on this here.

6) Connection: It can also give us a better connection with our loved one and we have the perfect romantic glamping spot where you can ignite that spark and enjoy the nature all around you without any technology on site!

7) Senses: Lastly, it can increase the ability to be present, as mentioned above, which is something that we take undervalue these days. Use the senses to smell, touch, taste, hear and see the here and now and enjoy each moment for what it is!

What you can to do instead of using technology:

• Find your flow with something you enjoy doing and try that something you never seem to have time for. If you don’t like it, try something else, but if you don’t try it, you will never find out!

• Get a healthier and more restful sleep which can mean you are more productive and more pleasant company the next day!

• You could play games with your family and friends, whether it be board games around the dining table, storytelling games around the firepit, or fun games in nature - we have over 20 ideas listed here.

• Spend time in nature and take that trip you have always wanted to do - even if it’s just a day trip for a long countryside walk or a visit to a local eatery.

• Read a book - there are literally millions of books out there to suit all ages, interests, fiction and non-fiction - get lost in it and enjoy the peace.

• Get cooking - we all need to eat so why not make it fun by cooking on the bbq or firepit, try a new recipe, get friends over and all do a course each. Whatever you do, just make it fun and de-stress from the long day!

Has this inspired you to have a digital detox? For a romantic glamping getaway with your loved one or a getaway with friends or family, why not treat yourselves to an indulgent mini break at Round the Woods? It’s the perfect setting for a romantic getaway as a couple because a stay at Round the Woods will ensure you can cherish one another without interruption, using the natural beauty of the local surroundings to relax and recharge. A stay at Round the Woods offers a family friendly fun filled adventure in rural Norfolk that will inspire and excite both adults and children alike.