And unplugging isn’t necessarily the answer.
Have you ever seen a traffic sign that said, “Stay Present”? If you did, how would you interpret it? I saw this exact sign on the drive from Cancun to Tulum recently, right as a stretch of beautiful rocky beach appeared on my left side. People come to this spot and stand on the craggy shore of Playa Mirador to get sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. But what got my attention was the yellow diamond sign, easily mistakable for a regular traffic instruction. Instead of taking out my phone to Google its meaning, I just let it be what it was at that instant: A reminder to stay in the moment. And that’s exactly what I needed.
In my years as a travel writer (and enthusiast), I’ve spent a lot of time trying to perfect the art of “unplugging.” I know how lucky I am to be able to see the world, and it’s crucial to me that I soak up every moment when I’m doing so. Otherwise, I won’t remember all the details that made the journey special — and if that’s the case, what’s the point of travel at all?
Sometimes, that means taking fewer pictures so I remember the experience rather than the photo. Often, it means staring at things—the crystal clear water, a quaint European road, a famous piece of art in an even more famous museum—for a while without any interruptions.
Unplugging in an era when we spend a large percentage of the day glued to our devices can be unfathomable. And yes, fully disconnecting from your regular life is unrealistic unless your electricity and internet are shut off. When you have a busy life, a family to care for, a demanding job, and/or any level of anxiety, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram on a remote beach is sometimes just what the doctor ordered, and there’s absolutely no shame in that. For some, a “vacation” is defined as the time they get to indulge in whatever makes them happy without any restrictions — whether that’s calling their best friend every morning and talking as long as they want (like my mother does when we’re in Cape Cod every summer) or finally finishing the 3-season show they’ve been watching in 15-minute increments over the past 5 years.
But staying present and in the moment doesn’t have to mean ditching your devices. It’s more about feeling aware of your surroundings and the incredibly wonderful situation you’ve found yourself in. It’s about rooting yourself in the here and now and not moving through the day on autopilot. This is often called (you guessed it) mindful travel, and it’s something many globetrotters are seeking out. When airline KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched its new brand platform Travel Well to encourage meaningful travel, it tapped into the mindsets of 8,000 jetsetters across the globe and found that:
- 79 percent of U.S. travelers prioritize making meaningful connections with people and places over simply visiting many destinations
- 83 percent of U.S. travelers express a desire for more meaningful experiences on their next trip, rising to 70 percent among Gen Z.
- Gen Z and Millennials prefer to participate in activities that stimulate personal growth
- 39 percent of Gen Z are worried that technology (too much time on your phone) will make your trip less meaningful
“Mindful travel is a conscious and intentional approach to exploration that prioritizes awareness, connection, and respect for local cultures and environments, fostering personal growth and positive global impact,” says yoga instructor and board-certified health and wellness coach Nicole Griffin, who leads mindful retreats. “The benefits of this type of travel include self-awareness and resilience building, fostering empathy and understanding, minimizing environmental impact, and contributing positively to local communities,” she says. “I believe that you receive more and have a deepened travel experience when you’re present, and you soak everything in without constant distractions.”
To achieve that, sure, you can go the extreme route and turn off your phone and leave your laptop at home — I commend anyone who has that amount of self-control and peace of mind. But if you need a bit more wiggle room yet still want to feel immersed in your time off, even if just for a few moments each day, you’re in the right hands.
During my five days alone in Tulum, it was hard to escape introspection. It’s a beach area, with lots of mystical elements and magical cenotes begging you to float around and just think. Sitting on the beach in silence one day, I realized that I’ve developed a lot of odd-but-useful habits in an effort to stay present while I travel. I’m sharing them with you to help you get the most out of your precious vacation days, too.
Set an intention and plan with it in mind
The first step to mindful travel happens before you set foot on a plane, and it can make or break your trip. Figure out what you hope to achieve during your time away. It doesn’t have to be a lofty goal or even that specific. As I planned my solo trip, I knew I wanted to go somewhere I could find tranquility and be in an environment that fostered self-discovery. So, while I would have loved to jet away to Paris for the weekend, that felt a little too fast-paced for me at the time. I chose Tulum because I’d heard that it has an overlooked spiritual side, and I knew being on a beach without a jam-packed schedule full of sightseeing would allow for introspection.
“If you’re going away to restore and you’re going to a more remote location, you’ll likely be less connected,” says Griffin. This applies to hotels, too: Tulum has a pretty wild nightlife scene, but I knew a party hotel wouldn’t suit my needs. So I found two neighboring sister properties, Lula and La Zebra, that catered to wellness-seeking travelers and split my time between them. Instead of a loud swim-up pool bar, an endless buffet, and beach parties, I indulged in beachside sound healing, spa treatments, and wholesome meals. These properties also make an effort to embrace the local Mexican and Mayan cultures in their accommodations and offerings (including a local artisan market on the weekends); they connected me with a biologist and certified archaeological guide who took me on an incredibly thoughtful tour of the nearby Mayan ruins and cenotes, and served me some of the best tacos I’ve ever had.
Broaden your bingeing
No matter where I am in the world, I’ll always watch TV. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind, so I can’t be expected to ditch that habit when I’m trying to reach peak relaxation. But I’m pretty strategic about what I watch or read when on the road. I find that I create associations between whatever media I’m consuming — TV shows, movies, books, etc. — and whatever I’m doing or is on my mind at that time. To vacate whatever state of mind I’m leaving behind, I don’t watch the exact shows or movies I was watching at home, and I do the same with books. Maybe I’ll start something new on the flight and make that my vacation binge, or sometimes I set aside a show I’ve been waiting to watch for this very purpose. Even better if it’s a thematic fit. (Yes, I watched Selena Gomez’s Monte Carlo in Monte Carlo and Mamma Mia on the way to Greece.) And if I don’t finish a book, series, or movie on my trip, I get to bring those vacation vibes home with me. “What you’re doing here is seeking novelty and disrupting ingrained habit loops,” says Griffin. “This requires mindfulness to pause, step back, and choose a new habit or action rather than complete the autopilot loop — which requires less mental energy since it’s already automated. It allows you some space from your ‘at-home state of mind.’”
Curate your communications
While turning on your work autoreply is crucial before a vacation, that isn’t the only type of communication management you can do. Think about how riled up you get when your cousin fills you in on the latest family drama. Or consider how you feel when that one friend talks about themselves for eternity before asking about you. Do you want that energy while you’re trying to connect with your surroundings in a foreign place? Don’t feel bad about telling your loved ones you want to communicate less while traveling, in an attempt to be more present.
If you do want to keep in touch with friends and family, divert your conversations toward topics that make you feel unburdened and present. “You may want to be more intentional about who you’re engaging with and prioritize the people who will support you and your needs,” says Griffin. Get in contact with that one friend you know would love to hear all about your daily adventures, even if you haven’t spoken in a while. “If you’re traveling alone, it can be nice to have someone to share your experiences with virtually. If you’re in a really good vacation mindset, you probably don’t want to engage with the people who will take you out of that.” This applies to whoever you’re traveling with, too: My husband and I have a lot on our plates at home, but we’re really good at zipping our lips while traveling when it comes to stressful subjects. (And for disconnecting from tech, set up a text message autoresponder and remove the email icons from your phone’s home screen while you’re away.)
Limit future-planning
I was sitting in my beach cabana looking out at the Caribbean Sea when it occurred to me that I should make a dermatologist appointment. I reached for my phone and started to navigate to ZocDoc. And then I stopped: This wasn’t urgent. And it certainly wasn’t what I wanted to be thinking about right now. It could wait. Those aren’t the only types of plans I avoid making when I’m on a trip: I avoid committing to social engagements, setting up work meetings, or even buying tickets to events I’m looking forward to — anything that requires post-vacation planning. At best, making those plans takes you out of your present mindset and interferes with your experience. At worst, it brings on a wave of stress about what’s waiting for you at home.
Of course, avoiding all planning can be hard for parents, people with chronic health issues, or demanding jobs, so do what you can. Griffin agrees: “It’s important that we allow ourselves to reset and take a break from the constant demands on our mental energy and time. This isn’t easy for most people, but it makes our daily stressors more sustainable,” says Griffin. “Try to find ways to reduce the constant mental load while on vacation. This could mean being very proactive before you leave on your trip, or permitting yourself to not worry about the things that truly can wait until you’re back,” she suggests. “If we never allow ourselves time to truly rest and restore, we’ll eventually burn out. Living with constant chronic stress negatively impacts our physical and mental health in many ways, so finding ways to decompress and release stress is very important.”
Limit your screen time
This is pretty much a no-brainer, but for the people in the back of the tour bus with their noses in their phones: “Excessive phone use during vacation is a distraction that detracts from the quality of our experiences, hinders relaxation, and prevents us from fully engaging with the present moment,” says Griffin. No one’s suggesting you leave your phone at home — that’s often not realistic or safe. In fact, the pressure to unplug entirely could create even more internal tension. “I don’t think you need to completely ‘unplug,’ but I do think it’s important to be mindful of how much time you’re on your devices and be honest about how that compromises your trip,” says Griffin. “You may need to be connected to some degree, but mindless scrolling and compulsive refreshing can probably be put aside for the sake of being present with your travels.” A few suggestions for limiting screen time include not purchasing data and only using your phone when you have WiFi (for international travel), and bringing only one electronic device with you. (Do you really need your phone, laptop, tablet, and e-reader?) If you feel you need to cut ties with the TV while you travel, find hotels that don’t have them. Lula and La Zebra both didn’t have TVs in their rooms, and I found it to be a charming and appreciated detail.
Be intentional about posting photos on social media
Believe it or not, Griffin doesn’t advise against snapping selfies and posting on Instagram. I personally take as few photos as possible, because it takes me out of the moment, but that might not be the case for you. “I think taking photos can actually be a mindfulness practice, because you’re noticing and capturing things that inspire you,” says Griffin. “This allows you to savor your experiences, better remember your trip, and share it with others.”
I like to set aside dedicated time to post on social media, whether that’s while I’m resting in my hotel room before a meal, or commuting to the next stop on my adventure. This allows me to savor the moment I felt was worth capturing, and reflect on it before I share it with the world. “Posting on social media isn’t inherently bad, as long as you aren’t obsessively checking your engagement or likes,” says Griffin. “I think it’s helpful to be honest about what improves our experience traveling and what detracts from it. A big part of mindful travel is having that awareness and being intentional about the actions you take.”
