How to Actually Unplug on Vacation (And Why Most People Don’t)
Everyone says they want to unplug on vacation.
Fewer people actually do.
Not because they don’t try—but because most “unplugging” advice skips over the part that matters most: how your brain behaves when the noise finally stops.
Unplugging isn’t just about turning your phone off. It’s about knowing what to expect when you do—and setting things up so rest actually sticks.
Why Unplugging Feels Harder Than It Should
The first surprise of vacation isn’t relaxation. It’s restlessness.
When your usual inputs disappear—emails, notifications, background noise—your mind doesn’t instantly settle. It searches. Scrolls. Reaches for distraction out of habit.
That doesn’t mean you’re bad at relaxing. It means your nervous system is recalibrating. Most people mistake this phase for failure and reach for their phone again. The trick is realizing this moment is part of unplugging—not a sign you’re doing it wrong.
Start by Lowering the Stakes
You don’t need a dramatic digital detox.
Trying to quit everything at once often backfires, creating more tension than ease. Instead, aim for fewer decisions. Put your phone away physically—not just face down. Silence notifications you know will pull you back into work mode. Let yourself check in once or twice a day on your terms. Unplugging works best when it feels spacious, not restrictive.
Let the Environment Do the Heavy Lifting
This is where most vacations fall short.
If your surroundings are loud, busy, or visually demanding, your brain stays alert—even if your schedule is empty. True unplugging happens faster in spaces that are calm by default.
Soft light. Thoughtful design. Rooms that don’t compete for attention.
At The Leona, the goal isn’t to entertain you nonstop—it’s to give your nervous system fewer things to manage. When the space feels settled, you follow.
Replace Input with Sensation
If you remove screens without replacing the experience they provide, your brain will go looking for them again.
Instead of asking “What should I do?” ask “What can I notice?”
Morning light through a window.
The sound of a quiet street.
The weight of sitting still without interruption.
These small sensory moments give your mind something to rest into—not just away from.
Don’t Overplan Your Rest
Ironically, the more you try to optimize relaxation, the harder it becomes.
Leave gaps. Stay in longer than you meant to. Let a good conversation stretch past the clock.
Unplugging doesn’t happen on a schedule. It happens when time loosens enough for you to stop managing it.
Take the Feeling Home With You
The real test of a vacation isn’t how productive it felt—it’s how you return. If you come back clearer, calmer, and slightly less reactive, you did it right. That’s unplugging that lasts longer than the stay itself. You don’t need to escape your life to unplug from it. You just need the right conditions.
A Better Place to Begin
If you’re craving a vacation that actually lets you disconnect—without effort or guilt—The Leona was designed for exactly that.
No pressure. No performance. Just space to land.
Book your stay. We’ll handle the quiet.