Experience Social Media Detox in North Park

Do you ever find yourself scrolling for hours on TikTok or Instagram? Maybe you’ve caught yourself involved in an argument with someone using a cartoon squirrel as their profile picture thousands of miles away. And that’s the only thing you know about them other than they are totally wrong? Whether it’s politics, funny cat videos, or hot takes on celebrities, the last decade has gotten so weird when it comes to parasocial relationships. 

Have you ever just wanted to take some time off from social media? That can be easier said than done, especially if you start Googling how to get off social media? It might be you sucked into a Twitter battle or your kids staring and swiping endlessly on whatever game they are obsessed with. At some point you need a break. North Park is just the place for you to take some time off from social media and rediscover your connection with the real world.

Problems with Social Media

Social media has invaded our lives to such a degree that we get our connections, validations, and friendships from people we will likely never meet. These people have thousands of followers and connect with us on a level that says, “Hey! They are just like me!” Algorithms have what people enjoy looking at locked down on such a personal level, everything is curated to fit exactly what we like seeing 24/7. 

Research suggests that the instant gratification we get from social media is actually addictive, and might even block our body’s ability to receive those feel good hormones because they are constantly flooding our systems. Some studies suggest social media might even be as addictive as hard-core narcotics, yet nobody even knows the extent of the harm our digital world is causing. Even to the point that we should consider detoxing ourselves and resetting our minds, body, and spirit. Social media addiction is often linked to anxiety and depression, among other physical problems.

Feed Your Body and Soul in North Park

So, why is North Park a good place to detox? For starters, it is very isolated. A drive into Jackson County often means at least an hour without internet connection. Within line of sight of Walden, CO is usually where you can pick up a strong enough internet signal on your mobile device to do any serious doomscrolling on the aps. 

For some of us, that drive might feel unbearable, until you realize what beautiful scenery there is to see along the way. Mountain passes with lush alpine forests of pine and aspens, craggy peaks, and lots of wildlife to see on the drive are a good way to replace those dopamine hits you are used to.

Long road trips through the mountains give you a chance to think again, or just put on your favorite playlist and vibe in the car for a couple hours on the drive. If you are traveling with family, you might have a chance at a good conversation, catching up with your spouse or kids as you take in the scenery.

When the mountain passes open up to the vast valley of North Park, you might even forget about answering that text or checking notifications. You can find yourself plugged back into the present, connecting with your feelings without external stimulation. 

If any of this sounds intriguing to you, there’s a good chance you’ve been wondering how to get back to a place like that. 

 Beautiful Spots for Mindful Wellness

The rolling hills of sage and grassy meadows let you focus on something you have been missing for a while. No two sunsets are alike in North Park, and any point of interest you encounter on the road reveals something new and unexpected. From whistling ground squirrels to the majestic moose that call North Park home, our wildlife is often up close and personal. In the summer you’ll see hummingbirds and migratory birds of all kinds, and even in the winter, you might see a bald eagle or snowy owl soaring over pristine white plains of snow.

Rambling mountain creeks are teeming with trout and lakes invite would-be anglers to cast a line for entire days at a time. Even if you aren’t a fisherman or a hunter, you’ll find plenty to see and maybe even try to capture with your camera. After all, most phones have one, so you might as well put it to good use. A shot of the Medicine Bow, Park Range, or Neversummer Mountains will always beat a picture of your dinner.

You don’t need an expensive resort with hot stone therapy or canned new age music when you hear the sound of the wind rustling in the changing leaves of Autumn, or the babble of a brook. North Park welcomes visitors with incredible views and very little traffic once you get here. 

A Place Far Away from the Daily Grind

Things move at a whole other pace in North Park. We call it Mountain Time, and things slow down just a little bit up here. You can book a place to stay in Walden, or many of the other vacation rentals and campgrounds to find your inner peace and get centered all over again. If you need connectivity, Walden is the hub for cellular and many vacation rentals provide WiFi for their guests. Just be sure to ask if you need that kind of connectivity before you book. Otherwise, it’s a perfect excuse to be offline for a few days. We won’t tell.

Places to Go When You Need to be Found

If you do need to connect with the outside world, Walden has a Post Office, Library, and good cell service for just about any carrier. If you are staying in town, be sure to get the WiFi password if provided. 

Clear Skies, Clean Air, Good Vibes

North Park has been an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise for as long as people have been coming to the area (read more about the history of Native American hunters here). We have hundreds of days of clear, crystal blue skies and clean mountain air, you can’t help but wake up every day feeling like you already had that first sip of coffee in the morning.

From our 360 degree view of the mountains in Walden to mountain retreats in the mountains, you are bound to find someplace you are going to love and want to visit year after year. North Park is one of the best places to detox from social media in Colorado, hands down.

Lots of visitors enjoy the rewards of public lands with camping, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor adventure sports. Our backroads and off-roading trails are perfect for OHVs and playing in the dirt. River rafters run the headwaters of the North Platte, and flatwater boaters can paddle all day at Michigan Reservoir, Big Creek Lakes, and many others.

You can run an ultramarathon, ride your bike through the mountains, or hike the Continental Divide Trail. We have a public shooting range, hundreds of miles of backcountry trails, and all sorts of events happening throughout the year. In the wintertime, we have all sorts of activities, from North Park Christmas to vintage snowmobile races.

If that isn’t your cup of tea, you can just take some time to yourself hanging out and watching the world pass by. 

Fight the FOMO and Explore North Park

Fear of missing out is often what drives our curiosity and gets us stuck in a rut of scrolling through social media all day long. It’s crucial to take time to slow down your pace and disengage from your normal routine to get your equilibrium back. When you find yourself in North Park, you’ll soon realize it’s not you missing out, but everybody else.

Whatever you choose to do (or not do) in North Park is up to you. We just know a good thing when we see it, so let yourself get distracted from your phone for a weekend and get back to yourself. We can help.

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