The Retreat Where Phones Go in Lockers and Minds Come Alive

Image Source : Book Retreats

As screen fatigue and burnout rise across India’s cities, a new trend is quietly gaining ground—digital sabbaticals. From Bengaluru to Mumbai, professionals are unplugging for the weekend, trading notifications for nature and WiFi for silence.

What’s Driving the Shift

Urban workers are reporting higher levels of anxiety, sleep disruption, and attention fatigue linked to constant digital exposure
Mental health experts recommend short breaks from screens to reset cognitive function and emotional balance
Companies like Mindful Breaks and Unplug Retreats are curating weekend getaways with zero connectivity and guided mindfulness sessions

Where People Are Going

Coorg and Sakleshpur: Forest lodges with no mobile signal and curated nature walks
Mulshi near Pune: Lakeside retreats offering yoga, journaling, and silent meals
Rishikesh and Dharamkot: Ashramstyle stays with meditation and digital detox rules
Even urban hotels in Delhi and Chennai are offering “nodevice zones” and techfree rooms

What Happens During a Digital Sabbatical

Guests surrender phones at checkin and follow a schedule of offline activities
Sessions include breathwork, forest bathing, pottery, and reflective writing
Some retreats offer neurosciencebacked workshops on attention restoration and emotional regulation

Why It Matters

In a country where digital infrastructure is booming, the need to disconnect is becoming just as urgent. These sabbaticals aren’t antitech—they’re probalance. And for many urban Indians, they’re the reset button they didn’t know they needed.

Sources: Economic Times Lifestyle, Hindustan Times Wellness, India Today Travel Desk, Mindful Breaks, Unplug Retreats, The Better India, WRI India, Sansad TV Perspective Series July 2025