Mindfulness is the practice of slowing down and being present.
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In a fast-paced world where technology, responsibilities, and stress dominate daily life, many people are seeking ways to slow down and find peace. Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present in the moment, has emerged as a powerful tool to manage stress and improve overall well-being. This trend is particularly noticeable among travelers, where more people are using mindfulness practices to stay calm, enjoy their journeys, and reduce the stress of delays or unpredictable circumstances.
As travel increasingly becomes a source of stress due to tight schedules, packed airports, and unexpected mishaps, many are turning to mindfulness to navigate these challenges. The ability to stay grounded and present can transform how we experience travel—from a stressful event to an opportunity to fully engage with new experiences. This shift in mindset is not only helping individuals enjoy travel more but is also creating a deeper connection to the present moment, making travel itself an enriching, mindful practice.
One person leading this movement is Cheryl Brause, co-founder of Pause to Be Present, a mindfulness and meditation studio. Brause shares how her journey into mindfulness began from her personal quest for peace and presence in a life that looked perfect on paper but felt overwhelming in reality.
“I was always rushing around, busy, stressed, and overwhelmed,” Brause explains. “I had everything I thought I wanted, but I was missing my life because I wasn’t fully present in it. I learned that I could live differently, that I didn’t have to always be striving, achieving, or rushing.”
Meditation is something that can be done anywhere, especially when traveling.
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That life-changing realization came from her first meditation class, which sparked her passion for mindfulness. “The class was so impactful that I decided everyone should know how to do this,” Brause says. “Everyone could benefit from learning how to be more present, joyful, and calm.”
This desire to share mindfulness with others led Brause to create Pause to Be Present, with co-founder Stephanie Falk, where she offers online and in-person meditation classes, retreats, and wellness programs. Although the studio faced a significant challenge when it opened in late 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheryl and her team quickly adapted by offering free online live-stream meditation sessions to support people through those difficult times.
The benefits of mindfulness extend far beyond the meditation cushion, especially in today’s world where stress and anxiety are rising dramatically. Brause highlights some concerning statistics: “The American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll shows that in 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than the previous year, and the stress around current events—especially the economy, elections, and gun violence—is driving these levels even higher.”
You can take mindfulness practices wherever you go, including on vacation.
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In response to these growing concerns, people are looking for tools to manage their stress, and mindfulness is proving to be an invaluable solution. Brause explains that mindfulness helps individuals learn how to regulate their nervous systems, manage their attention, and find more joy in each day. She notes, “Mindfulness teaches us to be aware of our thoughts without getting lost in them. It helps us understand that, in the present moment, we are often okay, and that’s where peace begins.”
There are many ways to be mindful when traveling.
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When applied to travel, mindfulness can be especially helpful. Travel, often seen as a break from daily stress, can paradoxically bring its own challenges—flight delays, long security lines, and other stressors that disrupt plans. Cheryl offers five tips for staying present and calm while traveling:
- Savor the Experience – Remember how amazing it is that we can travel and experience new cultures. Appreciate the opportunity to explore.
- Leave Plenty of Time – Avoid rushing by allowing yourself ample time for transitions. This helps reduce stress and creates a more relaxed experience.
- Show Compassion to Others – Travel can be stressful for everyone, so offer others your compassion and empathy instead of frustration.
- Find the “Ands” – In every stressful situation, look for something pleasant, whether it’s a moment of quiet, a nice snack, or a beautiful view, and focus on that.
- Embrace the Adventure – When things don’t go as planned, shift your perspective and view the experience as an adventure. This mindset helps ease frustration and turns challenges into opportunities.
Brause emphasizes that while these techniques are helpful in travel, they are most effective when practiced regularly. “It’s hard to just use these practices when needed in stressful situations,” she notes. “With a daily mindfulness practice, we operate at a lower baseline of stress, making us more resilient when life throws us curveballs.”
Mindfulness retreats, especially silent retreats, can prove very beneficial.
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For those seeking a deeper experience, Brause also offers retreats through Pause to Be Present, including silent retreats that offer participants a chance to truly unplug and reconnect with themselves. These retreats, like the annual weekend silent retreat in the mountains, provide an opportunity for reflection and renewal, allowing participants to return to their daily lives with fresh perspectives and a deeper sense of peace.
Brause’s goal is to make mindfulness and meditation accessible to everyone. Her work is transforming how people relate to themselves, each other, and the world around them—both in daily life and while exploring the globe. As mindfulness continues to grow in popularity, more travelers will undoubtedly benefit from staying grounded and embracing the present moment, no matter where their journey takes them.
