Key points
- Tech-free retreats and resorts surge worldwide
- Companies introduce screen-free zones for staff wellbeing
- Experts link screen breaks to better mental health
ISLAMABAD: In a world where screens dominate nearly every waking moment, many people are now treating digital disconnection as the ultimate luxury. The year 2025 has seen a noticeable shift, as professionals, wellness seekers, and even corporations embrace “digital detox” not as a trend, but as a serious lifestyle movement.
According to the 2025 Global Digital Detox Survey, conducted by wellness platform UnplugWell, 63 percent of adults reported intentionally disconnecting from their devices over the past year — a dramatic rise from 31 percent in 2020. The study, which covered more than 15,000 respondents across 24 countries, highlights how unplugging has evolved from occasional retreats into a more permanent and mindful practice.
Digital detox retreats are rapidly gaining popularity. Across Europe, Asia, and North America, travelers are opting for secluded cabins, tech-free resorts, and wellness programs where phones and Wi-Fi are banned.
Double-digit growth
Luxury travel operators report double-digit growth in demand for such experiences, which offer nature, silence, and human connection as their main attractions. Even workplaces are catching on — some companies are introducing “digital detox zones,” quiet spaces designed to reduce screen fatigue and promote mental clarity.
Psychologists say the shift is a response to growing concerns about mental health. Studies have long linked excessive screen time to anxiety, poor sleep, and reduced attention spans. Experts recommend small, sustainable habits — such as device-free mornings, no screens before bed, or social media breaks — rather than complete disconnection.
As the boundaries between work and rest continue to blur, the art of logging off is becoming the new symbol of balance and privilege. In the modern age, peace of mind — not productivity — may just be the ultimate status symbol.
