More than half (55%) of Americans said they will be concerned about the security of their home when they travel this holiday season, with one third (33%) expecting to feel anxious, according to the new Travel Mindfulness Report, a survey released by the maker of Caséta by Lutron smart lighting control.

In advance of the busy holiday travel season, the survey asked U.S. homeowners about the barriers preventing them from achieving peace of mind while traveling. Nearly half (48%) would choose travel mindfulness – the ability to stay present and in the moment while away – over winning $1,000 in the lottery.

“Sometimes you need to connect a little to disconnect a lot,” said Pax Tandon, Philadelphia-based mindfulness expert and author of Mindfulness Matters. “When traveling, it’s hard to relax when there’s that nagging feeling that something might be amiss at home. Smart lighting can give travelers peace of mind - and peace of mind keeps us in the moment.”

A large majority of Americans (85%) have taken steps to make it look like their home is occupied when it isn’t, including leaving a light on at all times, or at strategic times, to protect their home and family (65%). Simply keeping the lights on when on vacation may not cut it—but turning lights on and off at irregular intervals – a Caséta by Lutron smart lighting control system feature – can help make the home look occupied and ensure you unwind while traveling.

Additional takeaways from the Travel Mindfulness report include:

Lighting is Key to Peace of Mind
1. The majority of Americans (67%) associate “peace of mind” most closely with “feeling safe and secure”.
2. 38% have worried about whether or not they left the lights on or off.

Fast Tech Adopters
1. The majority of Americans (60%) already have a smart home device, with about one in three (34%) having smart lighting controls.

The Light Life
1. More than two-thirds (69%) of Americans agree that being able to control their lights remotely would make traveling more enjoyable.
2. 79% would like the ability to program lights to randomly turn on and off in the evening to make it look like someone’s home.
3. 68% would like to control the lighting for their family while they’re traveling on business.

A Happy Home
1. More than half (56%) of Americans say a well-lit home gives them peace of mind when they return from a trip.

“Holiday travel is meant to be a joyful and relaxing experience, but because of fears around what’s happening back home, we’re not able to be as present as we’d like to be,” said Tandon. “There are actionable steps we can all take to stay in the moment, like breathing exercises and meditation, and the more “unexpected,” like using smart home technology to help to ensure that even while traveling, we can be in control.”