Disconnect to Reconnect
Why We Believe in Going Fully Offline
In a world that buzzes with notifications and our phones have become an extension of our arm, being unreachable has become a rare luxury. At Saunaday, we’ve decided to protect that luxury fiercely. Our no-tech policy isn’t about restriction—it’s about preservation. Preservation of presence, privacy, and peace.
If you’ve visited us, you’ll know that just past the locker rooms—as you move down the long wood paneled hall—is a space where there are no screens to check, no messages to return, no photos to capture. We’ve designed Saunaday for full sensory connection—the smells of cedarwood and aspen, the sound of the showers and baths running, the feeling of steam on your skin, the warm textured materials and calming color palette, the rhythm of the music—all work together to quiet the mind and open up space for something deeper.
Why going offline in public matters
Most of us can remember the last time we unplugged at home. Or have goals to do more of it—to set the phone in the bowl when we walk in the door, to keep it out of sight during dinner. But far fewer of us can remember the last time we went fully offline in public.
Being offline together is almost radical now. It’s rare to share space with others—strangers, friends, colleagues—without the veil of a screen between us. When we put our devices away, we return to subtle social cues: a nod, a shared laugh, the simple rhythm of being around others without the need to document or distract. It’s in these unmediated moments that community forms quietly, without announcement. We see this happening every day in the bathhouse, and it’s one of the things we love most about this space.
Why even “quiet tech” disrupts quiet minds
We occasionally have guests ask about bringing an e-reader or headphones to help them unwind. We understand the instinct and even grappled with this distinction prior to opening our doors. But we’ve decided to go fully no tech, full stop. The research shows that even these subtle forms of technology change how your brain experiences rest.
It’s no secret that we love when our guests bring in real books around here. Research from the University College London has shown specific benefits associated with the tactile, sensory aspects of physical books; including enhanced focus, aided memory and comprehension, emotional resonance, relaxation and calm, and boosted emotional development.
E-readers, by contrast, flatten that sensory landscape. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that e-reader users are more easily distracted, multi-tasking, and screens coax us to skim rather than read in-depth. Essentially, the uniform glow, scrolling format, and touch interface engage the same neural systems used for scanning digital content. What’s meant to be restorative can end up keeping the brain slightly alert—just as it would be while browsing a feed or checking a message. And imagine being surrounded by people in the bathhouse scrolling away—what would that make you want to reach for?
All in all, even “quiet tech” keeps you one step removed from the embodied calm your nervous system craves. And to be honest, our team can’t be responsible for keeping tabs on which brand of e-reader has a camera and/or is connected to the internet. For the presence, privacy, and peace of all guests—we just say no to tech.
Relearning presence (and why it’s hard)
We get it. Locking your phone away is hard. The impulse to bring it along, hide it in a book or towel, and document your experience is deeply ingrained. But that desire is worth noticing. It’s a mirror, showing us how tightly our attention is tethered to the digital world—and how freeing it can be to loosen that grip.
As one guest recently shared:
“I haven’t spent two hours offline in public for as long as I can remember. So, I don’t know if it was the sauna or just not having my phone by my side, but I feel better than I have in a long time.”
That’s the heart of it. When we disconnect from the world for a while, we reconnect with ourselves—and, often, with each other.
If you need to monitor your phone for caregiving or work-related calls or messages, our team is happy to keep an eye your phone at the front desk for you. Beyond that, we invite you to let go. Let the analog beauty of the space lead. Rediscover stillness, conversation, or the rhythm of your own breathing. Even boredom. This is the work.