The chances are you’re reading this on a mobile device, with several unread emails and text messages in the background. The data shows most Americans are worried about the impact their screen time is having on their mental and physical health. Meanwhile, statistics from Deloitte show that 8 in 10 set boundaries on their smartphone use, including putting their phones away at events and limiting device use to specific times of the day. This research shows we’re becoming more proactive in managing our relationship with the digital world. 

Here at Rancho Cortez, we offer a unique escape for all things digital. We provide guests access to over 200 acres of ranch property and activities to help destress, unwind, and refocus. This post helps explain the clear benefits of a digital detox at your local Bandera dude ranch.

Relaxation and Stress Release

The latest research links higher stress levels with high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Persistent stress in your day-to-day life can also impact your mental health, increasing your risk of depression and anxiety. Studies from the Behavioral Sciences Journal show that taking a prolonged break from your devices can tangibly reduce your stress levels. Dude ranches such as Rancho Cortez offer your mind and body a break from the everyday stressors surrounding you. The slower pace of ranch life and the calming surroundings of Texas Hill Country can help center you and reduce stress levels over time.

Improved Sleep

Device use, particularly throughout the evening, has been linked with disrupted sleep patterns. Studies show the link between lower-quality sleep and device use is particularly clear in children, with kids experiencing lower quality and less sleep after using a device in the hours before they go to sleep.

A digital detox can help alleviate poor sleep patterns by allowing you and your family to remove the link between your device and your brain for that crucial time before you go to bed. Here at Rancho Cortez, we help support the ideal evening winding down process with our group campfire under the Hill Country stars. Guests will spend the evening listening to cowboy tales and learning about the history of Bandera from ranchers with years of ranch life experience. 

Enhanced Social Interactions

Without devices distracting you, you can restore connections with loved ones and build new connections in your community. Rancho Cortez helps bring ranch visitors together from across the globe in group physical activities, shared meal times, and end-of-night wind-downs. We believe the shared experiences at the ranch help visitors connect and immerse themselves in their natural surroundings. 

Greater Scheduling Control 

Our mobile devices take our concentration and can sometimes lead to a feeling we have less control over our time. Imagine adding each one of those 30-second glances at your phone throughout the average hour to the end of your day. Spending time on the ranch means not having to respond to text messages or take a few minutes to follow up on an “urgent” email. A digital detox can help you realize the true impact of distractions on your day-to-day life. Reviews from guests to our ranch often highlight the sense of peace they feel upon returning to their everyday lives after a few weeks with us in Bandera. 

Relax, Recharge, and Refocus: Book Your Digital Detox with Rancho Cortez

Discover life before the digital distractions by booking your upcoming visit to the Rancho Cortez dude ranch in Bandera, a short drive from San Antonio. Whether you’re visiting with family or friends or wish to plan a solo trip to the Texas Hill Country, we can help create your ideal vacation experience. Contact our booking team today to explore your accommodation options and plan your stay!