In the modern world, we are “always on” and constantly connected to our screens, the internet, and social media. But our brains are not designed for all this stimulation, and digital overload contributes to stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. Our brains need time to disconnect from electronics and reconnect to the real world, nature and our loved ones. Yet, even at home, in a coffee shop, or while walking outside, it can be hard to let go.

The solution? The spa. Used for thousands of years for healing, spas today provide a critical opportunity to unplug from our devices, plug into the moment, and recharge our brains.

The Importance of Mindfulness: Reconnecting to Yourself

Our brains are designed to scan for threats and opportunities. This was helpful when survival meant watching out for predators, but in modern times, we’ve replaced scanning the environment with scanning our cellphones, social media and the internet. The result? Exhausted minds disconnected from the present moment.

Mindfulness Helps Us Reconnect

Mindfulness—paying attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity—reduces stress, supports mental and physical health, and enhances well-being. The spa offers the perfect environment for mindfulness. The warmth of a sauna, the chill of a cold plunge, the gentle hands of a massage therapist—each invite you to connect to your body and breath.

Cellphones Block Mindfulness

Even a brief glance at a message or news feed can distract you from the present, taking you away from calmness. Worse, your phone use can then trigger others to do the same.

That’s why many spas now encourage or require phone-free environments: to help everyone be present, mindful, and reconnect with themselves and each other.

In this first part, we’ve explored why our brains crave breaks from digital overload and how the spa offers a phone-free sanctuary for mindfulness. In the next part, we’ll look at practical tips for handling emergencies without your phone, what to do instead of scrolling, and how to use your spa time to deepen connections with others.

About the Author

Dr. Michael Cheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine and a Psychiatrist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). He is the co-founder of a mental health website and a recipient of the Order of Ontario. He helps children, youth and families by (re)connecting them to people and activities that give a sense of purpose, belonging, hope and meaning—inspired by the First Nations Mental Health Continuum Framework.