HS Saimaa: Jake Davies pays to be quiet and without a phone in Finland

For a week, 35-year-old Jake Davies from Great Britain, who resides in the Netherlands, is immersing himself in the quiet solitude of Finland's Saimaa region. Davies, an entrepreneur in the retail sector, is undertaking a retreat that combines a digital fast with a vow of silence, seeking a temporary respite from the constant connectivity of modern life.

The retreat, set up on a hammock by the serene lake, encourages participants to disconnect from their devices and limit spoken communication. While greetings are exchanged, the core principle is to minimize conversation, fostering an environment of deep quietude. This deliberate pause aims to offer a break from the incessant demands of the digital world.

However, experts caution that such retreats, while beneficial for a temporary reset, do not guarantee lasting change. According to a brain specialist, the true impact on well-being hinges more on what happens in one's daily life after the retreat concludes. The temporary silence and digital detox provide a valuable experience, but integrating mindful practices into everyday routines is essential for sustained benefits.