Slow Down and Savor: A Mindful Guide to More Meaningful Travel

Ever get home from a vacation and think, “Wait...did I even relax?”

Or maybe you rushed around trying to see everything and somehow still didn’t do what you actually wanted?

You’re not alone—and the good news is, there’s a way to travel that feels way more nourishing. It’s called mindfulness.

And before your eyes glaze over—don’t worry. I’m not asking you to sit cross-legged on a mountaintop chanting "om" (unless that’s your jam). I’m talking about being present—fully in the moment—so you can actually enjoy the experiences you’ve worked so hard to plan.

Whether you’re:
🍷 Sipping wine with a perfectly grilled steak
🐢 Skinny-dipping with sea turtles (been there, did that in Hawaii!)
💃 Dancing your butt off at Bear Week pool parties

...you deserve to feel it all—not just scroll through it later in your camera roll.

After decades of traveling and curating cozy, joyful Bear Hug retreats, wine tours, and food adventures, I’ve learned one big thing:Travel is better when you slow down and savor it.

So here are 3 simple ways to bring a little mindfulness into your next trip:

1. Mindful Eating: Savor Every Bite

Raise your hand if you’ve ever devoured a meal and barely tasted it 🙋
Now imagine this: You’re on a sunny patio in Lisbon, eating fresh seafood. What would it feel like to truly enjoy each bite?

Here’s how to do it:

• 📵 Put the phone away—Resist the scroll!

• 🌬️ Take a breath before your first bite—Let yourself arrive.

• 👃 Use all your senses—Notice the smells, textures, colors, flavors.

• 🙏 Be grateful—For the farmers, cooks, and hands that brought this to you.

• 🐢 Slow it down—Set your fork down between bites. Eat 10% slower.

This isn’t about eating perfectly. It’s about honoring your experience. Even if you slow down for just 30 seconds—that counts.

2. Mindful Exploration: Travel Your Way

Travel is not a to-do list. You don’t need to see every landmark or follow someone else’s itinerary.

What do you want from this trip?

Here’s how to explore mindfully:

• ❌ Drop the “shoulds”—You don’t have to see the cathedral. Maybe you want to nap or read in a café. That’s valid.

• 🧭 Check in with yourself—Need more quiet? More connection? Listen and adjust.

• ⏳ Slow your pace—If you’re used to a go-go-go life, give yourself space to unwind.

When I land in Portugal after being in NYC, I always catch myself walking too fast. Then I look around, remember no one else is rushing, and let myself settle.

Time moves differently in new places—and that’s part of the magic.

3. Be Present: Put the Phone Down & Soak It All In

Phones are great tools. But they can also pull you right out of a beautiful moment.

Here’s how to stay present:

• 📲 Set phone boundaries—Try Airplane Mode when sightseeing. Still lets you take pics without being pulled into texts or news.

• 🧘 Notice your surroundings—What do you hear? Smell? See? Feel in your body?

• ✍️ Journal it out—If your brain starts spiraling about work, jot it down and come back to now.

• 🌀 Gently return to the moment—It’s natural to get distracted. Just breathe, notice, and begin again.

Mindfulness isn’t about being perfect or serene. It’s about being here. Really here.

It helps you remember the sound of the waves, the taste of the wine, the joy of the people around you—long after the trip is over.

And honestly? It makes the whole thing way more fun.

So the next time you pack your bags, bring your presence with you. Your trip (and your body, mind, and spirit) will thank you.

Want to travel more mindfully with a joyful, body-positive community?

Come join us on one of our upcoming Bear Hug retreats—where slowing down, savoring food, and dancing freely are always on the itinerary.