How To Supercharge Your Digital Wellbeing In 2026

A digital detox—as in, ridding ourselves of all the gadgets and gizmos that rule our lives—is a very comforting thought. There are endless notifications to keep on top of, countless new apps to master at work, and new memes to despair at (we don’t know what “67” is, either).

Whether it’s apps, accessories, or the tech itself, accumulating all this stuff is draining our mental energy. Adopting a selective mindset is key and will set us all in good standing for the coming year. And, crucially, digital detoxes don’t have to mean going full burner phone mode. From inbox management to limiting screen time, recycling old gadgets, and forming effective tab-closing habits, digital wellbeing comes in all shapes and sizes.

Vogue enlisted wellbeing coach Adrienne Adhami and lifestyle physician Dr Aileen Alexander to explain exactly how we can detox from and declutter our digital spaces in 2026.

Are cluttered digital spaces a common issue?

The need for a digital reset is more common than you might think and, according to Adhami, is an issue that many overlook. “The challenge is that digital mess doesn’t stare you in the face the way physical clutter does,” she explains. “You can ignore it for longer, but it still drains your mental energy.” This goes for chaotic inboxes, unread messages, and endless tabs, which create low-level cognitive noise. “Because we can’t physically see it, we underestimate how much it affects our focus, mood, and decision-making.”

Alexander agrees, adding that we should all be talking about it more. “Cluttered digital spaces are a huge issue that has insidiously crept up on us and hasn’t been seen or recognised as a real problem,” she says. “We spend so much of our lives online on multiple devices—I have witnessed it and experienced it personally. Being at home with a small baby… stuff just piles up.”

Is it difficult to organize digital spaces?

This is a very individual concern. Some feel fine with 3,254 unread emails, while others can keep on top of it. “Everyone is different, and some of us are visual learners,” Alexander says. “I think that we can get lost and distracted in digital spaces, which makes organisation really difficult.” Another hurdle to jump over is that “when we organize digital spaces, the clutter is created as quickly as we clean things up.”

Adhami resonates with this, sharing that “organizing a digital space is harder [than the physical] precisely because it’s intangible.” It makes sense, then, that trying to manage infinite amounts of information with no visual cues or physical boundaries can be overwhelming. “Our brains have evolved to respond to objects in front of us—not invisible folders and virtual chats.”

How can you combat being overwhelmed by digital spaces?

The good news is that there are practical steps to help declutter your digital space. Adhami suggests doing a big cull rather than zoning in on organization. “You don’t need to color-code or create micro-segments.” Instead, she says, “start by turning off non-essential notifications and delete the apps you haven’t used in months, unsubscribe from anything you rarely open.” Digital clarity isn’t about organisation, per se—it’s about elimination.

Alexander says that intentional to-do lists are one of the best ways to prevent feeling overwhelmed while cleaning everything up. “Pick one small thing—it might be sorting through desktop folders—set a deadline and celebrate once it’s been completed, rather than despairing at everything else that you have to do.”

How to start a digital detox

We all know that digital detoxes have become trendy over the past few years—and for good reason. We don’t just want less cluttered tech spaces, we want less tech altogether. If you’re hoping to beat tech burnout, a more intentional plan is worth considering.

“Everyone’s circumstances are different, so an ideal routine is less about rigid rules and more about creating intentional boundaries with your tech,” says Adhami. “One simple thing I often recommend is a digital-free walk: no phone, no headphones, nothing at all.” She notes that it sounds obvious, but removing yourself from screens, even for just 10 minutes, gives your nervous system a chance to reset. “Your brain finally gets a break from input, distraction, and the constant sense of being on.”

“I think one of the most powerful things is keeping technology out of the bedroom and staying off devices first thing in the morning,” Alexander says. “I wouldn’t want people checking their work emails before they get to work, for example,” she adds. In an ideal world, you’d remove your work email inbox from your phone altogether. As many of us know, the lack of boundaries around digital spaces can often have a knock-on negative effect.

If this is impractical for you, try keeping your phone in a drawer early in the morning and after work. Keep notifications off, with just the ringer on in case of emergencies. Use this time to unwind: Take a bath, read a book, go for a walk, or cycle.

Is there such a thing as owning too many gadgets?

We get it. No one wants to miss out on the buzziest, sleekest new launches. However, it’s always sensible to streamline your gadget collection—for both sustainability and wellbeing reasons.

“I absolutely think we can get hooked on gadgets,” Alexander says. “I’ve noticed in my professional line of work, people who work with numbers for a living—financial analysts or scientists—can get really hooked, and they’ve got the latest tablet, fitness device, laptop, and phone!” What happens is that we become inundated with even more data, which just doesn’t help anyone in the long run. “I think that we are too connected, we need to learn to read ourselves and our own body symptoms,” she adds.

Owning too many gadgets can often stop being helpful. And, as Adhami explains, it all just contributes to digital noise. “Personally, I love wearable health tech, but for some people, seeing a daily sleep score or step count simply adds more stress to the equation,” she says. “What’s meant to support your wellbeing can easily become another metric you’re trying to outscore.” The goal isn’t to own more tech, it’s to own the tech that actually improves your life.

Final digital detox thoughts

Keeping a tidy digital space is as important as your physical space. “You can clear it once, but over time, the clutter will creep back in,” Adhami warns. “Think of it as routine maintenance rather than a big overhaul.” A monthly refresh is usually enough to keep things under control. Plus, a wellness retreat that encourages you to leave all devices behind can be a great way to kickstart this habit.

Alexander’s main takeaway is that sometimes, you just need to put the gadget down altogether. “Turn it off, take out time to be with other people, spend more time in nature, and check in with yourself.”

Consider your 2026, decluttered.