The average person checks their phone every six and a half minutes, but could we be doing something more worthwhile with that time?
Maybe directing an award-winning film, or baking our way to the hearts of the nation?
From Christopher Nolan to Mary Berry, some of the successful people we admire the most are advocates of ditching modern devices every once in a while.
Here are just some of their digital detox habits we could all learn from:
Digital Detox Habits Of Sucessful People
Christopher Nolan(01 of10)
You’d think as the director of Interstellar, Christopher Nolan would be obsessed with all things tech. But Nolan doesn’t even own a mobile phone. He believes a phone wouldn't give him enough time to "think".
"You know, when you have a smartphone and you have 10 minutes to spare, you go on it and you start looking at stuff," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
"There's always someone around me who can tap me on the shoulder and hand me a phone if they need to." (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
"You know, when you have a smartphone and you have 10 minutes to spare, you go on it and you start looking at stuff," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
"There's always someone around me who can tap me on the shoulder and hand me a phone if they need to." (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Mary Berry(02 of10)
Baker and GBBO judge Mary Berry doesn't let technology get in the way of her first passion: Food.
She believes phones and other devices should always be banned at the dinner table and goes one step further with her own family.
"When the children and grandchildren come to see me, they hand in all their games and phones at the door. I call it 'the Downing Street rule', because that’s what they make you do if you go to Number 10," she said. (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
She believes phones and other devices should always be banned at the dinner table and goes one step further with her own family.
"When the children and grandchildren come to see me, they hand in all their games and phones at the door. I call it 'the Downing Street rule', because that’s what they make you do if you go to Number 10," she said. (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Cameron Diaz(03 of10)
Although she does have Twitter and Instagram accounts, Cameron Diaz is very strict about the way she uses social media.
She'll only use the sites for work and promotional purposes so that they don't interfere with her every day life.
"I think social media is a crazy-ass experiment on society," she previously said.
"The way people use it to get validation from a bunch of strangers is dangerous. What’s the point?" (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
She'll only use the sites for work and promotional purposes so that they don't interfere with her every day life.
"I think social media is a crazy-ass experiment on society," she previously said.
"The way people use it to get validation from a bunch of strangers is dangerous. What’s the point?" (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Scott Mills (04 of10)
BBC Radio1 DJ Scott Mills values quiet time when he's not at work.
He told HuffPost UK that he's started to have a digital detox every evening.
"I have a kind of rule that after about 8 o’clock in the evening, I try not to check my phone. I realised when I was on holiday recently that it does stress you out a bit, and I think this is true for a lot of people without even realising it.
"I’m the kind of person who, if I get an email I’ll reply to it immediately, and I’ll be checking Twitter all the time and refreshing the internet, and actually I need to not do that because it sends my mind racing," he said. (credit:AKEM/Rex)
He told HuffPost UK that he's started to have a digital detox every evening.
"I have a kind of rule that after about 8 o’clock in the evening, I try not to check my phone. I realised when I was on holiday recently that it does stress you out a bit, and I think this is true for a lot of people without even realising it.
"I’m the kind of person who, if I get an email I’ll reply to it immediately, and I’ll be checking Twitter all the time and refreshing the internet, and actually I need to not do that because it sends my mind racing," he said. (credit:AKEM/Rex)
Randi Zuckerberg(05 of10)
Randi Zuckerberg, sister to Mark (he founded a little site called Facebook), worked as the director of market development and spokesperson alongside her brother until 2011.
But these days she's warning us to be mindful of the amount of time we spend logged on and has a digital-free day once a week.
"I’ve now got to the point where I’ve trained the people around me, so they don’t reach out to me – you can do that! I love the spa. Yoga is also one of my favourite things to do," she told HuffPost UK Lifestyle.
(credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
But these days she's warning us to be mindful of the amount of time we spend logged on and has a digital-free day once a week.
"I’ve now got to the point where I’ve trained the people around me, so they don’t reach out to me – you can do that! I love the spa. Yoga is also one of my favourite things to do," she told HuffPost UK Lifestyle.
(credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sadie Macleod(06 of10)
Hip and Healthy founder Sadie Macleod is passionate about having a healthy relationship with technology, as well as food.
"I have a tendency to check my emails at home, but when 9pm comes around I have a computer curfew which is the best thing ever," she told HuffPost UK Lifestyle.
"I implemented it about a year ago when I worked at Conde Nast because I used to get so stressed out at night.
"Now I just turn my phone and computer off at 9pm and then I’ll watch TV and just relax." (credit:Sadie Macloud)
"I have a tendency to check my emails at home, but when 9pm comes around I have a computer curfew which is the best thing ever," she told HuffPost UK Lifestyle.
"I implemented it about a year ago when I worked at Conde Nast because I used to get so stressed out at night.
"Now I just turn my phone and computer off at 9pm and then I’ll watch TV and just relax." (credit:Sadie Macloud)
Arianna Huffington(07 of10)
Founder of The Huffington Post Arianna Huffington is an advocate of digital detoxing - and she has a top tip for ending your midnight Instagram addiction.
In her book Thrive, Huffington recommends ditching all devices at the bedroom door. She favours a good, old fashioned alarm clock to wake her up in the morning. (credit:Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
In her book Thrive, Huffington recommends ditching all devices at the bedroom door. She favours a good, old fashioned alarm clock to wake her up in the morning. (credit:Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Bill Clinton(08 of10)
Bill Clinton was once one of the most powerful men in the world - and undoubtably, he still has a huge amount of influence.
Yet the former president refuses to use email.
"I’ve found people have said embarrassing things on email and I didn’t want to be one of them," he said. (credit:Andy King/AP)
Yet the former president refuses to use email.
"I’ve found people have said embarrassing things on email and I didn’t want to be one of them," he said. (credit:Andy King/AP)
Madeleine Shaw(09 of10)
Celebrity nutritionist Madeleine Shaw tries to monitor her technology use, but like the rest of us, admits it isn't always easy.
"I do try and turn my phone off at 9pm and leave it in another room, because otherwise I could easily keep doing work and answering emails until 10.30pm at night," she told HuffPost UK Lifestyle."But it's tricky because in a way, I am my work, so I’m working all the time."
"I do try and turn my phone off at 9pm and leave it in another room, because otherwise I could easily keep doing work and answering emails until 10.30pm at night," she told HuffPost UK Lifestyle."But it's tricky because in a way, I am my work, so I’m working all the time."
Benedict Cumberbatch (10 of10)
Benedict Cumberbatch has a firm following of fans on social media, but the actor has a great way to make sure his time isn't taken up by the sites.
He simply refuses to have Twitter, Facebook, Instagram...ANY of them.
"I think if I did [tweet] you’d very soon be disappointed because it really is a skill - it’s a skill I genuinely don’t have," he said, according to the Radio Times."Just listen to how much I talk ... and tweeting is about being pithy.
"I think tweeting would take so many hours of editing I’d be lost for doing my job." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
He simply refuses to have Twitter, Facebook, Instagram...ANY of them.
"I think if I did [tweet] you’d very soon be disappointed because it really is a skill - it’s a skill I genuinely don’t have," he said, according to the Radio Times."Just listen to how much I talk ... and tweeting is about being pithy.
"I think tweeting would take so many hours of editing I’d be lost for doing my job." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Unplug & Recharge At These 8 Digital Detox Retreats
Shambhala Ranch Retreat, Ukiah, California(01 of08)
The Digital Detox (whose company motto is "disconnect to reconnect") offers regular tech-free getaways to the peaceful Shambhala Ranch Retreat in the Mendocino hills of Northern California. The restorative trip includes yoga, meditation, hiking, art, and organic cuisine -- no devices allowed. The intimate retreat is open to a maximum of 14 guests, who stay in luxurious private rooms in the large ranch-style lodge. Four-day stays range from $500-950. (credit:Flickr: Prime Pixellographer)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The Caribbean(02 of08)
The small Caribbean island group of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is encouraging travelers to leave their gadgets at home when they come to enjoy the tropical beauty of the island on their vacation. The islands offer a digital detox vacation package, complete with a tech-free travel guidebook and life coach who will guide you in learning not to let technology control your life. (credit:Getty)
Jacada Travel African Retreat, Tanzania & Mozambique(03 of08)
Experience the beauty of nature and the tranquility of a technology-free existence, try this 12-day African retreat from Jacada Travel. The group trip starts with a safari on the Selous Game Reserve -- one of the largest faunal reserves in the world, and ends with some R&R on the stunning beaches of Mozambique. And of course, enjoy spa treatments and yoga for extra de-stressing. 12-day packages from $12,248 per person. (credit:Jacada Travel)
Via Yoga Retreats, Mexico & Costa Rica(04 of08)
With luxury yoga retreats in Costa Rica, Sayulita, Mexico, and Todos Santos, Mexico through the year, Via Yoga offers the ultimate wellness retreat and digital detox package. Although you don't have to give up your gadgets, yoga retreat attendees who turn in their iPhones upon arrival receive a 15 percent discount. In addition to beachside yoga, pilates and meditation classes, guests can also enjoy surfing and outdoor activities. Retreat rates start at $2,395 per person. (credit:Flickr: Villa Amor in Sayulita)
Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, New York(05 of08)
On the shores of Lake Placid, surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains, the rustic yet luxurious Lake Placid Lodge is the perfect place to escape the distractions of everyday life. With the "Check-In to Check-Out" package, you can check in your devices upon arrival and use the rest of your trip to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, outdoor activities, and the hotel's many amenities. Private cabins start at $375 per night. (credit:Flickr: rhyndman)
The Westin Dublin Digital Detox Package, Dublin, Ireland(06 of08)
Dublin may be a major metropolitan city, but that doesn't mean you can't do a little unplugging on your next trip to Ireland. The luxurious, five-star Westin Dublin's digital detox package includes breakfast in bed, in-room massage, detox survival kit, and a safe to lock your gadgets away in, so that you can enjoy tranquility and peace in the heart of downtown Dublin. Rates start at $227 per person per night. (credit:Flickr: || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||)
Jacada Travel Wellness Getaway, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica(07 of08)
Head down to tropical Costa Rica to get away from the business of your everyday life and enjoy a little R&R. The retreat takes travelers through the Cloud Forests and then on to the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. All-inclusive 10-day packages from $5,957 per person. (credit:Jacada Travel)
Camp Grounded, Anderson Valley, California(08 of08)
This summer camp for adults promises visitors a chance to get back to childhood -- with campire songs instead of YouTube videos and board games instead of Angry Birds, The Digital Detox's "Camp Grounded" is all about technology-free summer fun. This June, 200 grown-up campers will unplug for four days of outdoor activities and nostalgia in the California redwoods. Four-day stays start at $340 per person. (credit:Shutterstock)