Digital disconnection: the benefits of getting away from technology on the Camino
If your mind needs a break, the Camino is for you. In a world where the mobile phone rings incessantly, notifications compete for our attention and time in front of screens seems endless, the Camino de Santiago represents a unique opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with yourself.
Live in the present
Get the dopamine out of a screen, when you put your phone away and start looking around, you notice things that were previously unnoticed:
Birdsong.
The smell of wet earth after the rain.
The smile of another pilgrim who crosses his gaze with you.
This mindfulness allows us to live the Camino with more intensity and authenticity.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Social media, emails and information overload create a constant state of alertness. On the other hand, walking without these interruptions promotes deep mental rest, reduces anxiety and improves mood.
Improving human connections
Without the barrier of the telephone, conversations with other pilgrims become longer, deeper and more meaningful. It is about sharing stories, emotions and silences. Many lasting friendships are born out of these encounters, and coming alone is not an impediment to this.
Enhancing creativity and reflection
New ideas inevitably arise when you have time for them. Whether writing in a notebook, meditating or simply contemplating the landscape. The Camino can become an incubator for creativity and self-knowledge.
Tips for a digital disconnection on the Camino
Give notice before you leave: let family and friends know that you will be less available.
Use the mobile phone only at specific times: for example, only at night to check important messages.
Go analogue: paper maps, notebooks and analogue cameras can temporarily replace apps.
Enjoy the silence: don't fill every moment with music or podcasts; leave space to listen to your surroundings, to listen to you.
Moving away from technology on the Camino de Santiago does not mean giving up safety or basic communication, but rather recovering something we often forget: the ability to be truly present.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is it important to disconnect from technology on the Way of Saint James?
Because it reduces stress, improves mindfulness, fosters more authentic human relationships and opens up space for creativity and reflection.
2. Will I miss something important if I leave my mobile phone in storage?
No. You can use it at specific times (e.g. at night) to check important messages. The idea is to reduce usage, not to eliminate it completely.
3. How do I benefit from living in the present without screens?
You learn to appreciate the small details: birdsong, nature, the smiles of other pilgrims. This increases the intensity and authenticity of the experience.
4. What is the impact on my mental health of not using technology during the Camino?
It reduces anxiety, stress and information overload, allowing for deep mental rest and a better state of mind.
5. Will digital disconnection help me to relate better to other pilgrims?
Yes, without the barrier of the telephone, conversations are longer and more meaningful, and lasting friendships often develop.
6. What resources can I use instead of my mobile phone to find my way around or remember my journey?
Paper maps, a notebook for writing or drawing, and analogue or disposable cameras to capture memories.
7. How do I prepare my friends and family for my disconnection?
Before you leave, let them know that you will be less available and explain that you will check messages at specific times.
8. Is it safe to do the Camino by reducing the use of mobile phones?
Yes, it is not about giving up security, but about using technology only when necessary and regaining the ability to be present the rest of the time.
