We live in an increasingly digital world.
Our lives these days are shaped by digital technology, social media apps and the gentle hum of digital devices that fill every moment of everyday life.
Most people move through their days sussing surf forecasts on phones and juggling messaging apps. Constantly checking emails and being distracted by notifications from multiple social media platforms.
When you really stop to think about it, it’s no surprise that mental health concerns like anxiety, poor sleep and stress are on the rise… especially among young adults who spend more time than ever on screens.
Arriving in Taghazout, with warm breezes and uninterrupted ocean views, instantly shifts that pace.
Surfing and yoga and even Taghazout itself make it easier to step away from screen time and break patterns of technology addiction without force.
Here’s everything you need to know about digital detoxing during a surf and yoga getaway.
What is a digital detox?
A digital detox is when you intentionally step back from the tech that’s constantly vying for your attention.
It’s not about swearing off technology forever. It’s about changing your relationship with it so your mental health and physical health have room to breathe.
Cut down on blue light exposure and you’ll fall asleep more easily.
Spend less time on social media and you’ll stop comparing yourself to others so much.
Research from various university departments, including work by experts in human behaviour, consistently shows that dialing back device usage leads to better life satisfaction, lower stress levels, and stronger overall wellbeing.
Taghazout’s natural rhythm makes this transition feel effortless. When you take a break from your devices, you’ll:
- Interrupt the loops that certain apps keep you stuck in
- Set a realistic time frame for building better habits
- Create headspace for other activities that actually ground you
- Break the autopilot of habitual device use
- Ease that low-level anxiety from being constantly connected
- Give your brain a rest from the exhaustion of problematic smartphone use
How do surfing and yoga facilitate a social media detox?
Surfing and yoga both give you something real to focus on instead of your phone.
When you’re surfing, you need to be completely present. You can’t take your phone into the ocean (yet) and answer phone calls or play with apps. And yoga calms your breathing and supports your mental wellbeing by countering the overstimulation your nervous system gets from too much screen time.
At Surf Maroc, this combination becomes practical self-care that genuinely helps you reduce stress and find a healthier pace. Here’s what happens:
- Surfing gets you away from the screens and pulls you into the moment
- Yoga offsets the negative impacts of constant stimulation
- Together, they benefit your health and sharpen your focus in ways you can actually feel
The Taghazout effect
There’s something about Taghazout that attracts a more attuned style of living.
The light, the warmth, the coast… it all shifts you from frazzled to calm without you even trying.
Here, you’ll spend your days outdoors instead of being caught in the device use cycle that dominates life in cities like London or Madrid or Paris or Amsterdam.
The communal vibe at our three locations encourages actual conversation and genuine experiences, which more and more research shows can lead to a longer life and help ease depressive symptoms or the emotional weight of heavy social media use.
Screens lose their appeal because what’s right in front of you: the people, the landscape, the moment. It’s all infinitely richer than what’s happening on your smartphones because it’s real.
Small choices that make your detox work
You don’t need to be extreme about this. A few gentle boundaries go a long way:
- Keep your mornings tech-free: Start your day without diving into your phone
- Put your phone on airplane mode during meals: Actually taste your food and talk to people
- Set a specific window for social media: If you need to check social media, give yourself 20 minutes instead of grazing all day
Licensed psychologists often recommend setting limits instead of going cold turkey because it’s easier to sustain. And when yoga and surf sessions anchor your day, they naturally fill the time where mindless app use would normally creep in.
In this sense you’re not fighting the urge. You’re just busy doing something better. In our experience, the small shifts that we see work for guests are:
- Phone-free meals to help you stay present
- Slow mornings that reduce your dependence on tech devices
- Intentional check-ins help you manage time spent online without feeling deprived
FAQ: Surf and yoga digital detox retreats
- What counts as a digital detox?
A short, intentional break from technology use so your mind and body can reset. You don’t need strict rules. Just some awareness and boundaries. It reduces the negative impacts of screen exposure and helps balance your mental health and energy.
- Do I need to fully switch my phone off?
Not at all. Most guests just limit social media apps, notifications or certain apps. The aim is relief, not restriction.
- Why is Taghazout ideal for a detox?
Its slower pace and coastal setting naturally reduce the pull of digital devices. You end up spending more time outdoors and less time reacting to your tech.
- Are surf and yoga suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. The supportive atmosphere at Surf Maroc helps beginners ease into movement without any pressure.
- How long should a detox last?
Even two or three days bring real benefits. A week gives you deeper relief from stress and anxiety. Check out our current surf and yoga packages for more info.