A quality spa experience will help you clear your mind, relax your body and make you feel completely pampered. There are few places in the city that you'll find more calming or tranquil. Book a remedial massage to relieve tension or revitalise your skin with a body scrub.
Nature's Energy Spa in Balmain, Glebe and Newtown is one spa you will definitely relax in. They boast a bathhouse area where you can take a sauna, a steam and soak in hydrotherapy spa pools. Visiting the bathhouse is a great pre-treatment to help you enjoy your experience more deeply.
Endota Spa also offers incredibly soothing massages and serene surroundings. It has fourteen locations in Sydney so you can easily find a convenient time to get your pampering on.
Pro Tip: Nature's Energy occasionally offers bathhouse access at no charge when booked with a spa treatment. Subscribe to their newsletter to find out about current offers.
Another tranquil space to visit is a yoga studio. And in a hot yoga class, you have the added bonus of being in a warm, toasty room away from the chilly air. Hot yoga will help you to slow down, breathe mindfully and stretch more deeply.
Yoga is also ideal for increasing your range of motion and unlocking parts of your body that may be neglected, particularly if you sit at a desk or drive for long periods of time.
You can find local yoga studios on the Mindbody website. There are hot yoga classes available at studios like Yoga Hotspot in Chatswood or Be One Yoga in Wetherill Park.
Pro Tip: If yoga is new to you or you prefer to take it slow, join a yin yoga class that has a restorative focus.
Tea drinking can be a nourishing, aromatic ritual that enhances your appreciation for the quiet moments. Find new ways to enjoy the versatile beverage by experimenting with teas from different regions, adding extra elements (e.g. fresh herbs or cinnamon) and incorporating ceremonial practices to mindfully prepare and savour tea.
As tempting as it is to stay inside, immersing yourself in natural surroundings can help boost your mental health and remind you of earth's simple beauties. The morning is the best time to get outside and bask in the sun before the day's distractions take over.
Explore the beautiful landscapes, wildlife and gardens at Centennial Park in the city or head to the east for a quick dip at Clovelly beach to feel refreshed and energised on your weekends.
Plants can also have a positive effect on your wellbeing and adds a natural element to your space. Growing Grounds Australia has a unique collection of plants that will suit just about any area. The Indoor Plant Shed in Caringbah and North Parramatta also has a great range, including commonly known varieties such as the Peace Lilly and Birds of Paradise.
It is easy to find yourself trapped in unhelpful thought loops when the cold weather gets you down. And let's not discuss the news...Instead, follow what makes you curious and dedicate your longer evenings to exploring new interests. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
Visit a book shop or attend a book reading - Kinokuniya in the CBD and Better Read than Dead in Newtown run regular book readings and launch events.
Take advantage of free, online micro-courses. Learn about philosophy, astronomy, social impact and even canine emotions. The University of Technology Sydney offer free micro-credentials and the online platform Coursera has free courses from Stanford University, Yale University and others.
Pro Tip: Use the search filter to find free courses on offer. Some courses advertised may incur a fee.
