If inner peace had a postcode, it’d start with S-E-D. This month, Sedona—a desert darling beloved by yogis, mystics, and sunburnt hikers with half-charged phones—has officially been crowned the “Most Mindful Destination on Earth.” Yes, Earth. The whole swirling, overstimulated lot of it.

The accolade comes from relaxation brand Blakk Smoke, which reviewed thousands of TripAdvisor entries and distilled the world’s wellness wisdom into a single headline: pack your yoga pants, we’re going to Arizona.

Sedona scored a practically enlightened 92 out of 100 on the mindfulness scale, leaving Slovenia’s Lake Bled and England’s Lake District to nurse their herbal teas in second and third.

“It’s lovely to be recognised,” said a cheerful voice from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. “Though frankly, the rocks knew long before the rankings did.”

Vortexes, Vision Quests, and Very Nice Views

For those unfamiliar with Sedona—and really, what have you been doing with your chakras?—this is a place where the earth doesn’t just turn, it hums. Home to four legendary energy vortexes (not to be confused with air conditioners, though both provide a welcome shift), Sedona has built a quiet global following among those seeking healing, harmony, and a bit of organic granola along the way.

The vortexes—Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon—are spiritual hotspots said to encourage introspection, clarity, and the occasional Instagram influencer doing a tree pose.

These aren’t just rocks, mind you. These are capital-R Rocks—massive, ochre-hued marvels that seem to glow from within. Scientists call it sediment. The rest of us call it magic.

But Sedona isn’t all swirls and sage sticks. The region boasts some of the finest wellness retreats in the U.S., including the newly refreshed Mii amo and timeless L’Auberge de Sedona, where massages often come with metaphors and the sound of actual babbling brooks.

There are also dozens of hiking trails that meander through red rock cathedrals, past silent juniper groves and the occasional chipmunk who knows a thing or two about inner stillness.

Where Mindfulness Meets Marketing—But Tastefully So

This global mindfulness title could easily have gone to any number of kale-rich enclaves, but Sedona’s success lies in its charmingly unpolished sincerity. Unlike some wellness destinations that feel curated by real estate developers in hemp shirts, Sedona remains stubbornly itself—warm, weird, and wildly welcoming.

Its art galleries lean more into sacred geometry than pretentious minimalism, its cafes serve turmeric lattes with a side of community, and its sunsets? They don’t need a filter—they are the filter.

“We want visitors to truly connect,” said the Chamber’s representative. “And preferably not just to Wi-Fi.”

To that end, the Sedona Chamber encourages mindful tourism:

• Travel during off-peak seasons (your soul will thank you)

• Respect sacred sites (no drone selfies in vortex zones, please)

• Support local artisans and family-run retreats, not just the big-name spa chains.

• And above all, leave no trace—except, perhaps, a slightly improved state of being

Awards, Accolades, and Still No Starbucks at the Vortex

This is not Sedona’s first brush with greatness. The red rock city has previously been dubbed a “Hidden Gem” of America, scooped up a TripAdvisor Best of the Best Award, and even nestled into USA Today’s 10 Best in the West list.

Now, with this latest global mindfulness honour, it appears Sedona’s days of being a well-kept secret are numbered. But the locals don’t mind too much. They’ve long known that the secret isn’t the place—it’s how you feel while you’re in it.

Sedona isn’t the loudest voice in the tourism choir, nor does it try to be. It’s the soft note at the end of the song. The moment the wind stills. The first deep breath after a long, noisy week.

So, if you’re looking to switch off the noise and switch on the senses, there’s a little corner of Arizona waiting for you. And it’s wearing red.

🔗 For mindful travel guides, vortex maps, and planning resources, visit: 👉 www.visitsedona.com.

By Sandra Jones

=================================