The widespread reliance on digital devices in academic settings has enhanced efficiency but raised concerns about their cognitive costs, including impaired concentration and reduced cognitive flexibility. A short-term digital detox offers a feasible solution to mitigate these mental challenges, aligning with students’ essential need for digital devices. This study uniquely combines EEG analysis, behavioral assessments, and self-reports to evaluate the impact of short-term digital detox interventions on concentration and cognitive flexibility. Fifty university students are randomly assigned to either an experimental group engaging in structured, device-free activities, or a control group with unrestricted smartphone use. Cognitive flexibility is assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). EEG captures neurophysiological activity, focusing on the Power Spectral Density of alpha and beta waves across baseline, rest, and task phases. Participants provide self-reports on focus, clarity, and relaxation before and after the intervention. Data analysis involves mixed ANOVA to explore group-phase interactions and t-tests to assess within- and between-group differences. Correlation analyses are conducted to link EEG wave activity with WCST performance metrics. Expected findings include increased alpha wave activity during the rest phase and heightened beta wave activity during the task phase in the experimental group. Self-reports are anticipated to indicate greater focus, clarity, and relaxation improvements in the experimental group. This study bridges critical gaps by combining EEG data, behavioral metrics, and self-report measures to explore the neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms underlying digital detox efficacy, fostering the well-being of university students and help them navigate high-pressure academic environments.