Ever since founding Retreat Here, people often think my days consist of green juices, smoothie bowls, and hours of yoga and exercise. I get up at 6am, set my intention for the day, write in my gratitude journal, go for a run, meditate, have a turmeric latte while I catch up on some reading, and have a nutritious breakfast that I eat without looking at my inbox… all before 8am.

Not quite!

So how do I live more mindfully in Melbourne?

In an ideal world, my morning routine would look exactly as above, but the truth is that I am not a morning person. Never have been, never will be. I have accepted that I will never ‘master my mornings’ (and so has my husband!) like Oprah – especially not at 6am! And that’s absolutely fine.

Having said that, I do ‘practice what I preach’ and most days I eat healthy, exercise for at least 30 minutes, and try to either incorporate yoga or meditation in my day, if only for 10 minutes. I also try to be mindful with everything I do, rather than going on auto-pilot. I take regular breaks, do breathing exercises when I’m overwhelmed and I make sure to drink plenty of water. Where possible, I switch off digital devices after 7pm and I never take my smartphone into the bedroom.

Meditation and Mindfulness Guide
No phones in the bedroom!

And when I need a helping hand and some extra mindfulness inspiration, I turn to my favourite apps and magazines to keep me on track.

Meditation and mindfulness apps

Perfect for your morning routine or lunch breaks, these apps offer a mindful break in your modern-day Melbourne life.

  • Insight Timer: A free app with over 3.4 million meditators. This is my favourite at the moment. Users can log their private sessions and also listen to guided meditations.
  • Headspace: Your very own personal mind trainer to help reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Calm: A mindfulness and meditation app designed to bring clarity and happiness in your daily life.
  • Sattva: A meditation timer and mood tracker with free guided meditations.
  • Buddhify: Over 80.000 custom on-the-go meditations to create peace of mind in a busy lifestyle.
  • Smiling Mind: Designed to develop a healthy mind, this guided meditation app takes modern meditation to a new level.
  • Evenflow: A mindfulness app that offers guided meditation, inspiring programs and therapeutic insights.

Meditation and Mindfulness Podcasts

Start your day with a motivational boost or tune in to one of these podcasts for a quick pick-me-up during your work commute.

  • Rachael Kable: My go-to site for mindfulness inspiration, Rachael is a mindfulness mentor, award-winning blogger and also host of The Mindful Kind podcast. Her website offers tons of information to help you live a life with purpose. Make sure you become a member as this unlocks access to her mindfulness community with lots of extras, such as workbooks, infographics, checklists and special offers.
  • The Slow Home podcast: Discover the benefits of living with less and learn what it’s like to adapt a slower pace in life.
  • The Minimalists: These guys focus on making space for more quality time, more experiences, personal growth, freedom and contentment. Following a hugely successful blog/website, and several books, the Minimalist podcast was launched.
  • 10 Percent Happier: ABC anchor Dan Harris talks about meditation with mindfulness teachers, celebrities and influencers in the meditation world.
  • Daily Boost: A daily motivational podcast delivering fresh content to help you live a better life.
Meditation and Mindfulness Guide
Mindfulness Magazines

Mindfulness Sites and Magazines

Treat yourself to a mindful escape before bed-time with these gorgeous magazines. Just be mindful (no pun intended..) you don’t read the online version after 7pm.

  • Breathe Magazine: Designed to nourish both body and soul, Breathe Magazine is a bi-monthly lifestyle publication dedicated to help you ‘make more time for yourself’. Every issue is created around 5 key pillars of health: Wellbeing, Mindfulness, Living, Escaping and Creativity.
  • Audrey Daybook: Audrey is a beautiful and elegant lifestyle magazine for the modern-day woman, including travel articles, puzzles and inspiration for a life well lived.
  • Living Now: Australia’s largest holistic magazine – both print and online – inspiring you in your personal journey to happiness.
  • Mindful: This not-for-profit organisation is for anyone wanting to learn more about mindfulness. With a resourceful website and bi-monthly magazine, Mindful offers stories, insights and advice to help you live more mindfully.
  • Greater Good: This online magazine by the University of California offers science-based stories, videos, quizzes and podcasts for a more meaningful life.

I hope my mini guide will inspire you to live more mindfully in your daily life!

About the author: Sab is the founder of Retreat Here and Sabijn Linssen Yoga. She creates Yoga and Wine Events & Retreats to connect like-minded women in Victoria. She’s also a fully certified Yoga Instructor, offering private and corporate yoga classes in Melbourne.


First published on

back to all articles

BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE RETREAT NEWS, WELLNESS TIPS AND TRAVEL INSPIRATION



Marketing by