Are you addicted to Facebook? Surgically attached to your iPhone? Can’t go 20 minutes without tweeting? If so, it might be time for some “digital detox.”

Tech tools like iPads, smartphones and laptops make small business owners’ lives easier by helping us work from anywhere, anytime. They help us be more responsive to customers, and that makes us more competitive. But for entrepreneurs and employees alike, digital devices can also have a downside. The “always-on” aspect of mobile devices is leading some businesspeople to feel like they can never disconnect or relax. Without downtime, our uptime is a lot less productive as we end up frazzled and stressed.

What to do? The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the growing trend of digital detox, in which hotels, resorts and travel companies are creating unplugged or digital detox packages to encourage guests to take a vacation from their devices during their vacation. The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, the Hotel Monaco Chicago, the Quincy in Washington, D.C., the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa in Teton Village, Wyoming and the Lake Placid Lodge in Lake Placid, N.Y. are a few of the locations the Journal found offering digital detox.

How does it work? When you check in for your stay, the hotel will ask you to hand over your digital devices. Typically, you’ll also get a room with no television to complete the “low-tech” experience.

The article cites statistics from American Express that 68 percent of Americans check work email while on vacation and that 79 percent expect to stay connected “some” or “all” of the time while traveling. Separating from your device isn’t easy—digital detoxers cited in the article reported confusion and panic at first. But in the end, going “cold turkey” taught them some important lessons.

If you’re in the travel industry, could a digital detox package bring in more business? Consider your clients. People who take advantage of digital detox are typically high-powered executives, often with family members urging them to take a break. (The Journal spoke to one tech company CEO who realized he had a problem when his 4-year-old became confused at seeing him without his iPhone in hand.)

If your customer profile fits the bill, consider adding a digital detox option to your B&B or hotel stays. Tour companies, spas or yoga retreats might also want to consider offering tech-free options.

Not in the travel industry? Maybe you need digital detox. I personally don’t think I’d survive a day cold turkey, but if you’re not sure whether digital detox might be right for you, ask your nearest and dearest and see what they say.

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Tags: Detox, Digital Detox