Digital Detox: Disconnect to Reconnect

Asilia Africa own camps in prime wildlife areas in some of the most remote parts of East Africa, ideal for people wanting a retreat from digital life…

Modern technology has put everything and everyone at our finger-tips. Increasingly though, we are becoming aware that to some degree technology also has us. Finding the balance between our online and offline lives is probably one of the greatest challenges of the 21^st Century. The devices that serve to facilitate our interface with technology have become so ubiquitous that being without them for even short periods of time can cause distress and, according to some reputable research, potentially a whole host of other maladies.

The remedy? Surely it is simple, just unplug… disconnect. Easier said than done. Everything, from our business lives to our social and personal lives reside online, whether it be banking, social media or communication platforms. At some level we are all fearful of missing out (FOMO). We don’t want to miss that email, we want to see who ‘liked’ that post or retweeted us. Research conducted by the Danish think tank The Happiness Research Institute, looking at the effects of Facebook use on happiness, found that those who went off Facebook for a week, were happier, less worried and generally less lonely than the control group who continued on Facebook.

Ctrl+Alt+Del

Intuitively we know that increased communication does not necessarily lead to increased human connection. We have an illusion of being more connected than ever before, but in reality we feel more disconnected from the world. This could be due to a condition called Continuous Partial Attention. CPA refers to a state where one gives only partial attention to the things that are around you, without really being present in the moment. Along with the fear of missing out and CPA is our need to have control, and smart devices give us the ultimate control. You can choose what news to read, how to purchase and when to answer, all at the push of a button. Then, whether at home, office or the coffee shop around the corner, the pervasiveness of internet access adds to the dilemma of how to actually unplug and reconnect.

Safari Solace

Asilia Africa makes it easy for you to disconnect so you can reconnect. Our camps are situated in areas with scenery so spectacular that there should be no reason for you to want to give attention to anything else.

We recommend the following camps as the ideal locations for your Digital Detox getaway, not only because of their beautiful settings and close proximity to high density wildlife, but also because they do not provide any wireless access or internet facilities. Perfect to help you reboot.

Ready to go cold turkey on technology?

Here are our 5 Top Tips to ensure the success of your Digital Detox:

1. Once you’ve switched off and unplugged you are likely to experience a strong urge to check your devices and social media accounts, feel bored or even have a sense of unease. Give yourself a couple of hours, these feelings will pass as you settle into your new routine.
2. Not wanting to miss out is a very real concern when you logout. Boredom is probably a bigger challenge than missing out. Fight boredom and idle time by planning itineraries beforehand.
3. Give your devices to someone else for safe keeping. Having your handset or computer at hand may prove to be just too big a temptation.
4. Prepare before logging out or switching off. Print itineraries on paper, buy the maps you need and take actual books to read.
5. Use the time you have sans digital equipment to fully engage in your Safari. Talk to people, study the animals, read some good books and enjoy the silence.

The Danish Study, which looked into the effects of social media on our lives, advocates that if you want to raise your happiness and life satisfaction levels, a full week’s digital detox is recommended, and what better way to do that than on an authentic African Safari.