Digital detox retreats are growing in popularity and helping people reconnect with humanity. Check out these options for an illuminating getaway.
Being consumed by technology has never been easier. You can find anything online, from North Carolina’s best food halls for international eats to a better understanding of what fascism means in North Carolina. Heck, some folks even make a living online, whether they’re in corporate jobs or work from home as a video-game streamer. However, there comes a time for everyone when they need to disconnect, because being chronically online can take a toll on the body and mind.
One side effect of being online too much is called “popcorn brain.” Never heard of it? You’re not alone, but you may have experienced it. “It’s the real, biological phenomenon of feeling your brain is popping because you’re being overstimulated online,” Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Aditi Nerurkar detailed to Harvard Health Publishing. “Then it’s hard to engage with the real world, which moves at a much slower pace.” This particular problem arises a lot when doomscrolling, so you need to be conscious about how much time you spend on your phone and computer.
This is where digital detox retreats come in handy. These events are designed to help you “touch grass,” as the younguns are saying these days. These retreats give you a few days away from your electronics to connect with real human beings, breathe fresh air, have discussions you might have otherwise missed out on, and so on. Of course, you could attempt these at home, and we’d absolutely recommend giving yourself a phone-free refresh here and there. But it’s hard not to reach for it—phones are addictive by design, and that’s not your fault! So, if you want to give proper digital detox retreats a try, here are a few options to try in North Carolina, including doing one at home.
1. 3 Day Personal Healing Retreat
Address: Asheville
Helmed by two free spirits who act as healers and life coaches, the 3 Day Personal Healing Retreat is a highly rated getaway in Asheville. It’s a little pricey, starting at $1,144 unless you get in on the early-bird special of $1,035, but folks seem to get a lot out of it. The best part is that the retreats happen fairly often, typically one weekend a month, with a few oddities, such as none or two a month, here and there. So, you should be able to find a weekend or month that works for you.
This event separates itself from other digital detox retreats because you’re housed in a cabin for two nights, planting you in the wilderness to fully escape the hectic, terminally online life we’ve all come to know and begrudgingly love. In addition to lodging, your price includes meals and drinks, with coffee, tea, and water being consistently available to guests. Another perk is that you get two healing sessions, and the fun part is that this is customizable. For example, the website notes that some folks may opt for shadow work, while others may want life coaching. You can tailor your experience to what you specifically need. You can also “upgrade” your stay with a therapeutic massage, an additional night in your cabin, and more.
As previously mentioned, reviewers rave about this retreat. “If you’re looking for a safe and supportive space to step away from technology and reconnect with yourself and nature, I can’t recommend this retreat enough,” one previous guest wrote, adding that the food was delicious and the hosts were delightful.
2. The Art of Living Retreat Center
Address: 639 Whispering Hills Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Boone’s The Art of Living Retreat Center, which offers everything from wellness escapes to special presentations and ayurveda events, hosts an ongoing series of Rest and Relaxation Retreats that are essentially digital detox retreats by another name. You don’t have to leave your phone behind for this one, but you really should if you want to soak up all of the benefits that this facility offers. One of the best perks is that you can book your stay for the weekend or during the week since it’s an ongoing and personalized retreat. Weekdays are even cheaper!
The Relaxation Retreats begin at $670, and you have to book a minimum of two nights—and, really, you need at least two nights to feel properly refreshed. Once there, you can indulge in a trip to the spa, go on a hike, practice yoga, spend some time journaling, and so much more. On the food front, you can enjoy freshly prepared meals that come standard with your package, and the dishes are served in a room with large windows that give you beautiful glimpses of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It doesn’t get more idyllic than that!
One option that folks who want to push themselves to be more social may want to opt into is sharing a room. There are solo rooms, but the shared rooms will have two folks of the same gender to help form bonds. You might just leave with a lifelong friend! Even if you stay alone, you’ll likely leave happy, as this facility has a 4.8-star Google rating. “The breathtaking mountain views, serene atmosphere, and truly welcoming staff and delicious food made it the perfect place to recharge. Every moment felt intentional and nourishing—already dreaming about my next visit,” one satisfied visitor wrote in a review.
3. Skyterra Wellness
Address: 75 Skyterra Way, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Skyterra Wellness is another North Carolina facility that offers escapes that can double as digital detox retreats. Just turn your phone off and store it in your luggage until you leave, and you’ll have created an experience you won’t forget.
It’s worth noting that Skyterra Wellness isn’t the cheapest option, with its website noting that “weekly rates start at $3,500.” But here’s what you get if you decide to enroll: your lodging and food are fully included, as are a variety of classes and outings, including yoga, fitness, and cooking classes.
Similar to The Art of Living Retreat Center, Skyterra Wellness is in clear view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so you can eat all your meals with a beautiful view of nature. And the venue’s website specifically states that refreshments are offered all day, with snacks served daily as well. The best part, though, is the human connection that’s born between all of the guests. You’re likely to leave with rock-solid friendships.
On Google, Skyterra Wellness has a 4.7-star rating, with reviewers loving how refreshed they feel after leaving the grounds. “I have been going to Skyterra yearly since 2021. Every time I go I learn something new and make new friends,” one wrote. “Truly it’s like going home.” Now we want to go, too!
4. Southern Dharma Retreat Center
Address: 1661 West Road, Hot Springs, NC 28743
Many digital detox retreats are meant to generally reinvigorate you, but the Southern Dharma Retreat Center specializes in Buddhist practices aimed at realigning the self. If that sounds like it’s up your alley, then this is the option for you. This center hosts retreats throughout the year, and they generally range from three to seven days in length. For a fuller picture, read the center’s 2025 schedule here.
The Southern Dharma Retreat Center is situated on Hap Mountain, so this is one of those retreats where you’ll really feel like you’re getting away from everyday life. When you’re there, you’ll experience an open, accepting, and warm environment and be surrounded by folks from all walks of life, allowing you to create new relationships and even broaden your worldview. You may also broaden your taste in food, as the center primarily serves vegan dishes. Three meals per day are included in your fees, giving you the opportunity to try many new culinary delights.
Each night you stay at the Southern Dharma Retreat Center will set you back about $85 to $110, but reviewers say it’s worth it. “Southern Dharma Retreat Center provides one of the best retreat experiences in the Southern US,” one pleased reviewer wrote on Google, where the center has a 4.8-star rating. “This is the go-to destination for deepening a spiritual practice in the South,” they later added.
5. Singletree Gun & Plough
Address: 1215 Single Tree Rd, Westfield, NC 27053
So far, we’ve discussed retreats that you can sign up for without having to bring together other guests, but now we have an option for families, friend groups, or corporate teams that want to detox together. Singletree Gun & Plough offers digital detox retreats for groups, and the main difference between this and, say, Skyterra Wellness is simply that you need to bring a group. Meals are included just like at the other venues, and because they’re farm-to-table dishes, you’re getting fresh, delicious bites.
Singletree Gun & Plough is situated near Hanging Rock State Park, and it’s by a river, so you can swim, kayak, and more while detaching yourself from your phone and computer. Other activities include hiking, golfing, zip-lining, and poker.
On Google, the venue has a 4.9-star rating, and previous guests loved it because the grounds also contain cabins that individuals and small groups can book outside of retreats. “Exquisite for a thoughtful working retreat,” one reviewer shared, adding, “Only 45 minutes away from downtown Winston-Salem or Greensboro, you’ll feel like you’re on another planet.”
How to create your own digital detox retreats at home
It’s no secret that digital detox retreats lean on the pricey side, and not everyone can afford to shell out that amount of money for some recoup time. Fret not, though—if you want to create your own retreat at home, here are a few tips to get you started.
Digital detox retreats are typically several days in length, so you could establish yours for a weekend. If you want to add time, you could cash in a PTO day on Friday or Monday to extend your retreat. Think of this time as the retreat version of a staycation. You may be staying home, but you should find yourself more relaxed and centered when it’s over.
Once you’ve established your schedule, you need to make a game plan for your technology. Professional retreats make it easy to ditch your phone and computer, but being at home is much harder because they’re still around. You can simply choose to leave your phone on the kitchen counter or your nightstand for the weekend, or you can take things one step further and stash your phone and laptop behind a locked door or in a drawer if you think you’ll be tempted to continuously reach for them.
After that, your only job is to unwind, relax, and have fun. You can go for walks around your neighborhood, pop by your neighbor’s house for a chat, do a bout of journaling or scrapbooking, get a massage and facial—the list goes on. The only important factor is that you reconnect with yourself, and others where applicable.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Related: NC Court of Appeals halts use of UNC digital IDs for voting in November election
