Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Latest NewsMental healthWellbeingHR Podcasts

Digital detox and wellbeing: Hector Hughes talks to Oven-Ready HR

by Chris Taylor 18 Feb 2022
by Chris Taylor 18 Feb 2022 Hector Hughes, founder of digital detox service Unplugged
Hector Hughes, founder of digital detox service Unplugged

With so few opportunities to be able to meet family, friends and colleagues over the past two years, technology has been a lifeline for both our mental and business health.

But there is a dark side. Who hasn’t become exhausted and disillusioned by endless Teams or Zoom meetings? Who among us checks our smartphone as the very first thing we do when we wake up?

I’m increasingly wondering if instead of technology being our servant, the relationship has switched and it’s really us that’s the servant, jumping to attention every time we receive yet another notification.

I did some research and this led to my discovery that I suffer from ‘Nomophobia’ – an anxiety disorder caused by separation from a mobile phone.  My symptoms include an increased heart rate, feelings of panic and an inability to focus until I’m reunited with my device. Maybe I need a digital detox?

My guest this week knows all about a digital detox – in fact he’s made it his business. Hector Hughes is the co-founder of Unplugged, a start-up providing a digital detox at off-grid cabins an hour from city life.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Listen to the latest Oven-Ready HR podcast to discover:

  • the events leading up Hector’s own burnout and the inspiration that led to Unplugged
  • what actually happens during an Unplugged experience. Are you really separated from your phone?
  • how important a digital detox is for our personal wellbeing
  • why being connected 24/7 is fundamentally bad for our mental health
  • how Unplugged offers a unique employee wellbeing experience that we could all benefit from.

Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor is host of the Oven-Ready HR Podcast.

previous post
Why parental leave policies should be used to attract the best candidates
next post
Investor visa route for wealthy individuals scrapped in fraud crackdown

You may also like

Employers ‘worryingly’ ignorant about stress risk assessments

20 May 2025

Awareness weeks fuel spike in demand for mental...

19 May 2025

Workers ‘wait and see’ as companies struggle to...

16 May 2025

Healthcare workers prioritise mental health support in new...

12 May 2025

Why HR burnout is a strategic issue

12 May 2025

Two-thirds of school leaders suffering mental ill health

6 May 2025

Employers urged to do more to tackle loneliness

1 May 2025

Increasing burnout fuelling demand for sabbaticals

30 Apr 2025

Nearly half did not take even one full...

14 Apr 2025

Are employers ready to recruit more people with...

11 Apr 2025

  • 2025 Employee Communications Report PROMOTED | HR and leadership...Read more
  • The Majority of Employees Have Their Eyes on Their Next Move PROMOTED | A staggering 65%...Read more
  • Prioritising performance management: Strategies for success (webinar) WEBINAR | In today’s fast-paced...Read more
  • Self-Leadership: The Key to Successful Organisations PROMOTED | Eletive is helping businesses...Read more
  • Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out PROMOTED | International Women’s Day...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today