The O.G. wellness leader reveals a powerful way to maximize what you're getting out of relationships. (You'll like this.)
A pioneer of mind-body wellness whose teachings have reshaped how we think about meditation, healing, and the rhythms of everyday life, Deepak Chopra, MD, has spent decades helping people reconnect with themselves—and, increasingly, with each other.
Now, in partnership with Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, Dr. Chopra turns his attention to an elusive resource: time. Specifically, the kind of time we spend together—whether with a spouse, child, friends, or even just ourselves—away from the grind of work and routine. As part of the new Time Here Is Worth More campaign, Dr. Chopra emphasizes how important it is not just to change the scenery, but to shift how we show up for each other.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest recently got his thoughts on what happens when the most luxurious amenity is not a spa or a suite (though those can help!), but the simple act of being present. This global influencer gave us a bonus: his own favorite place to kick back.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Dr. Chopra, you’ve previously shared your #1 meditation for happiness with our audience. In this new campaign, you’re reminding us that “Time is more than just a measure.” Why is there such power in pausing?
Deepak Chopra: It’s about returning to what matters. When we experience new environments with intention, we allow ourselves to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. Treat time not as a resource to spend, but as a gift to experience fully. The most powerful journeys are the ones that leave us more grounded.
The Healthy: Hyatt found that one in three couples say they don’t get enough quality time…but one in three also report their romantic life got a boost after a vacation together. How would you encourage couples, especially those who are overwhelmed or watching their budget, to make the most of a trip together?
Deepak Chopra: Love doesn’t grow in between meetings and errands. It grows when we make space for it. When couples travel with intention, even brief time away can feel expansive and restorative. In those rare, uninterrupted moments, connection deepens and intimacy returns, reminding couples why they chose each other in the first place. That kind of time has the power to change not just a relationship, but the way two people move through the world together.
The Healthy: Meanwhile, 82% of Americans feel they aren’t getting enough time with the people who matter most.
Deepak Chopra: We’re constantly busy but rarely present. The report confirms what many already feel: that we’re trading meaningful connection for constant motion. True presence begins when we step out of our routines and give ourselves permission to just be. That’s when real time—time that heals, connects, and uplifts—starts to unfold.
The study brings light to a growing disconnect: despite our increasing busyness, we often find ourselves not fully present with those we cherish most. Amid the demands of everyday life, travel stands out as a meaningful escape. It invites us to be truly present, to witness the wonder in a child’s eyes as they discover something new, or to simply share a moment of undivided presence with a loved one.
The Healthy: Taking a breather can also improve our prospects of healthy aging.
Deepak Chopra: When we speak of timeless awareness, we are inviting a shift from identifying solely with the physical body, which is bound by time, to recognizing the unchanging, eternal aspect of our consciousness. This awareness transcends the limitations of age, revealing that our true self is ageless, untouched by the passage of time.
Reframing aging involves embracing each moment with presence and gratitude, allowing us to see the experience of growing older not as a decline, but as an unfolding of wisdom and potential. By nurturing the mind-body connection through practices like quality time, meditation, mindfulness, and conscious living, we can enhance our vitality and well-being at every stage of life.
The Healthy: Where do you love to vacation?
Deepak Chopra: For me, the allure lies not just in the location, but in the potential for inner transformation that it offers. Places like Tulum or the serene landscapes of St. Lucia call to me because they are imbued with a profound culture and natural beauty that invite introspection and connection to the larger universe. Ultimately, any place can become a sanctuary for transformation if approached with openness and intention.
The Healthy: What’s one self-care habit you refuse to skip?
Deepak Chopra: One self-care habit that remains indispensable in my daily routine is meditation. Meditation is the gateway to deeper awareness, a practice that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. It provides a sacred space for stillness and reflection, allowing us to connect with the essence of who we truly are beyond the noise of everyday life.
Through meditation, we cultivate mindfulness, fostering a sense of calm and centeredness that permeates every aspect of our being. This practice invites us to witness our thoughts and emotions without judgment, creating a profound sense of inner peace and clarity.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
