How to Unplug and Truly Rest on Your Summer Vacation

Summer vacation. Just saying the words brings up images of sandy beaches, mountain cabins, lakeside cottages, and cozy road trips. It’s the time we dream about all year, a chance to finally step away from work, responsibilities, and everyday stress. But here is the thing: too many of us take our work, worries, and screens with us when we go. Instead of coming back refreshed, we return home feeling like we never really left at all.

If you want your summer vacation to truly restore you this year, unplugging is the key. Not just turning off notifications for a few hours, but giving yourself full permission to disconnect, breathe deeply, and be present. It is possible, even if the idea makes you feel a little nervous at first. Here is how to do it, step by step.

1. Set the Intention Before You Leave

Unplugging successfully starts before you even pack your suitcase. Take some time to really think about what you want out of your vacation. Do you want to feel lighter? More connected to your family? More in tune with yourself? Less frazzled by work?

Setting an intention helps you create a mental boundary between “work mode” and “vacation mode.” It also gives you something to come back to when the temptation to check your email creeps in.

A few examples of intentions could be:

• I want to be fully present with my loved ones
• I want to reconnect with nature and enjoy slow moments
• I want to rest my mind and body without any pressure

Write your intention down somewhere. Even better, share it with your travel companions so they can support you.

2. Communicate Your Plan

One of the biggest reasons people stay plugged in during vacation is fear: fear that something important will come up and you will miss it, fear that others will think you are irresponsible, fear of falling behind.

You can ease a lot of this anxiety by communicating your unplugging plan ahead of time. Tell your coworkers, clients, or even family members that you will be offline during your vacation. Set an auto-reply for your email explaining when you will be back and whom they can contact if something urgent comes up.

Being clear sets expectations and frees you from the feeling that you should be available. Most people will respect your boundaries if you give them enough notice.

3. Leave the Work Behind — Really

It can be tempting to think, “I will just bring my laptop in case” or “I will only check my phone in the mornings.” The problem is that even a little bit of work pulls your mind back into that stressed, busy state you are trying to escape.

Challenge yourself to leave work devices at home if you can. If that feels impossible, at least tuck them away somewhere inconvenient so they are not easy to grab out of habit.

Remember, the world will keep spinning without you for a week. Your rest matters just as much as your responsibilities.

4. Create a Tech Plan

Let us be honest: completely ditching your phone is not realistic for most of us, especially if you are using it for directions, reservations, or snapping photos. The goal is not to eliminate technology but to use it intentionally.

Before your trip, decide:

• When will I check my phone, if at all? (For example, once in the morning and once at night.)
• What apps will I delete or disable? (Consider social media, email, and news apps.)
• Who will I stay in touch with, and how often?
• What apps will I allow myself to use? (Maps, camera, audiobook apps, music streaming.)

By making these decisions ahead of time, you avoid the slippery slope of “just checking one thing” and getting sucked back in.

5. Replace Screens with Something Better

One of the reasons we reach for our phones is because we are bored or uncomfortable. If you want to stay unplugged, it helps to have plenty of satisfying offline activities ready to go.

Here are a few ideas:

• Pack a good book (or two)
• Bring a journal and write a little each day
• Learn a new game or card trick with your travel buddies
• Bring along a puzzle, coloring book, or knitting project
• Plan nature walks, swimming, biking, or sunrise watching
• Try a new hobby like sketching, photography, or birdwatching

When you have enjoyable options at your fingertips, you will naturally reach for them instead of your phone.

6. Let Yourself Be Bored

Boredom is not a bad thing. In fact, it is often the doorway to creativity, insight, and deep relaxation. When you first unplug, you might feel restless. That is normal. Your brain has gotten used to constant stimulation and it needs time to adjust.

Instead of rushing to fill every quiet moment, try leaning into the stillness. Stare at the clouds. Watch the waves. Let your thoughts wander. Some of the best moments on vacation happen when you give yourself permission to do nothing at all.

7. Practice Mindful Presence

One of the most beautiful parts of unplugging is how it invites you back into the present moment. When you are not distracted by screens, you notice more: the way the sunlight sparkles on the water, the laughter of your kids, the taste of fresh fruit.

Throughout your vacation, pause often and check in with your senses:

• What do I see right now?
• What do I hear?
• What do I smell?
• What do I feel in my body?
• What am I grateful for in this moment?

These little moments of mindfulness add up. They deepen your rest and create memories that stay with you long after the trip ends.

8. Be Gentle with Yourself

Maybe you slip up and check your email one day. Maybe you spend a little longer scrolling than you intended. That is okay. Unplugging is not about being perfect. It is about being intentional and coming back to your intention when you drift.

If you notice yourself getting sucked back into technology, just gently guide yourself back. No guilt, no shame. Every moment is a fresh start.

9. Reflect on the Experience

When your vacation is winding down, take a little time to reflect. How did it feel to unplug? What did you notice about yourself, your relationships, your stress levels? What moments stood out the most?

Write down a few notes or talk about it with your travel companions. These reflections will help you carry the benefits of your vacation into your regular life. You might even be inspired to build small unplugging rituals into your everyday routine.

Unplugging and truly resting on your summer vacation is not always easy in a world that expects us to be available 24/7. But it is so worth it. Giving yourself space to disconnect and recharge is not selfish; it is necessary. It allows you to come back to your life with more energy, creativity, and joy.

So this summer, give yourself the gift of real rest. Put down the phone. Step into the sunshine. Let your mind and heart breathe. Your future self will thank you.