EXPERIENCE THE BEST DIGITAL DETOX BREAK WITH UNPLUGGED

Last Updated on 13th October 2024 by Bejal

The connection between nature and wellbeing in recent years bears a prominent position in most people’s priorities but what about the benefits of a digital detox? It’s said that a large majority of people check their mobile phones every four minutes and all for the hysteria created by a Fear of Missing Out or FOMO. Yes it’s a thing!

Full Disclosure: The three day digital detox stay is a collaboration with Be-lavie and Unplugged. All opinions and views are honest. All photography is a copyright of Be-lavie and must not be reproduced without permission.

A UK Digital Detox Stay with Unplugged Off-Grid Cabins

Most of us spend a huge amount of time on digital devices, racking up long hours at the office or working for ourselves, so its no wonder that we often face dips in productivity and burning ourselves out! But what if you could escape and have a few days just unplugging from the norm, spending time in nature, be uncountable and completely content in a secluded spot? Sounds blissful right? Digital detox break inspiration incoming and delivered by Unplugged.

Unplugged

Founded by those who know the rat race, all too well and the feeling of being burnt out, Hector and Ben had the idea to build some off-grid cabins in nature, about an hour away from London so city workers could go and escape for a few days!

Unplugged, launched their first cabin, Koya in July 2020 where they would physically check-in guests and lock their mobile phones away but now with the growing number of cabins (currently there are eight) dotted around Essex and Sussex, it is left to guests to lock away their own phones at the start of a three night midweek or weekend escape and retrieve it at checkout! Worry not, for emergencies you have an old School Nokia and charger at your disposal for your stay.

The Cabins

Staying at one of the Unplugged cabins is simple, you bring the food (and clothes of course!) and everything else has been provided.

These cabins may look all petit and bijoux from their dark wood stained exterior but don’t let that fool you, because they are of course perfectly formed. They are ideal single or double occupancy with most being dog friendly. You get a queen or king size bed with some fancy luxury Piglet bedding, a seating area with table, a kitchen equipped with utensils, cutlery, crockery, a two ring hob, small fridge/freezer and tea towels.

Panic not all cleaning products are provided and are eco-friendly, right down to recyclable waste bags.  Oh and there’s a wood burner with wood kindle, matches and instructions on how to light provided! Get those city dwellers covered!!

The bathroom features an eco-toilet (throw away any misconceptions you have!), a very hot and wonderful shower and beautifully scented planet friendly toiletries.  There’s plenty of storage space for your wash bags and bits.

On the subject of storage, luggage can be stowed underneath the bed but remember you just need to bring food and a couple of pairs of comfy lounge clothes, or maybe something to head out for a walk.

How to get to your chosen cabin, details are taken care by the Unplugged team and you’ll get all the instructions on what train to get, which cab to get to the cabin, GPS instructions as well as driving routes. Just note, there is always a short couple of minutes’ walk from where you park the car to the cabin, a trolley is provided to carry your luggage to the cabin!

There are wellies and a romantic fire pit. outside to capture those cosy sunset moments.

Be-lavie Tip: take a digital camera for capturing photos although an instant camera with 10 photo film is provided.

Cabin Life and Things to do

All of the cabins are located within a 20-minute walking distance to the closest village where you can grab food in the form of restaurants and pubs, get included in community activities as well as get to know local village life.

Just to note, maps, reading books, a radio with some throwback cassettes, I’m talking the Divas like Whitney and Tina Turner are in the cabin for your use.

Digital Detox Experience: Pablo Cabin

Just walking up to Pablo (as I’m sure applies to the other cabins) the first striking thing is the big window facing the sun, where the most yolk-like sunsets can be seen in the night. As you enter, a warmth hits you inviting you into your home for the next three days.

Once you quickly orientate yourself around the cabin, lock your phone away so there’s no procrastination. Unpack and allow nature to call all the shots.

The circadian rhythm clicks in and eating, relaxing, sleeping, even having a shower all feels like its governed by the natural time of day.

Spend time reading, playing board games, lose at Jenga, walk the many trails and explore villages, cook, make endless cups of tea and fresh coffee, listen to the radio, reconnect with your partner, sip on sundowners as the sun goes down and light cosy fires.

When it all goes dark, enjoy watching the stars twinkling like fairy lights as you look up and hear the scuffling of badgers in the background whilst you settle down to dinner.

Head to bed in the darknes of no light pollution and take in a restful nights sleep without checking the time on your phone – take things slow!

Being off-grid and staying at an unplugged cabin is a unique experience, approach it with an open mind and allow yourself to be immersed in the moment to truly unwind, relax, and benefit from the opportunity to escape the everyday.

Be-lavie Tips: Decompress for your Stay

• Allow yourself to be fully immersed and lock your phone away as soon as you get to the cabin
• Let people know you’ll be off grid so no urgencies arise that you need to be contacted for especially in terms of work purposes.
• Count how many times you’ll say, ‘I’ll just google that”!
• Journal your thoughts or keep a diary of your weekend to refer back to.
• Learn new things like having a go at lighting the fire and wood burner.
• Admire the location and the eco-friendly aspects of living off-grid. Appreciate the simple things.
• Think about how you’re feeling in this environment and think how this feeling can be captured regularly in your daily routine.
• Be present and take in the conversation, the moment.
• Sit under the stars and feel the power of being free.
• Be happy, grateful and content that the time is precious.
• Connect with nature, when the sky goes dark listen out for the ‘giggling foxes’ and the burrowing of badgers and a beautiful dawn chorus courtesy of our flying friends.

Digital Detox Break & Type 1 Diabetes

Type I Diabetes is a chronic condition, which can be quite difficult to manage with quite a sedentary lifestyle let alone the erratic, heavy workload, and pressures of the daily grind, which is experiences by many these days as almost the norm. In Be-lavie’s experience, a digital detox break and time spent concentrating on wellbeing and unplugging works wonders on the condition. Namely as most Type I diabetics will know that stress and sudden increased activities can lead to massive fluctuations in blood glucose. The lack of stress-induced activities provided a better profile of daily control. Walks can be planed for and the detox allows for easier and frequent testing if you are trying to work out a much better basal rate profile and bolus ratios (Type 1’s you know all about the challenges of this!).

Digital Detox Break Round-up

An Unplugged cabin break provides one of the best experiences in nature and away from any distractions to help refocus, rebalance and reconnect yourself. It enables you to overcome the challenges of not having to look at your digital devices every few minutes because, nothing much has changed for many of us in those few minutes or hours away from the screen. It’s an experience to learn from, to re-evaluate your life in the everyday and to carve out moments for yourself and put your wellbeing at the top of the priority list.

For further information & to book your stay, head to the Unplugged Website

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