WORK! APPOINTMENTS! MEETINGS! DEADLINES! ERRANDS! This is basically what most of our mental to-do lists sound like; an endless cycle of duties and stresses reverberating around our minds making sure they are heard and acted on. Not to mention our desire to maintain active social lives and pursue our favourite hobbies, all of which also requires time. The ever-increasing pace of life in today’s digital, networked world, where everyone expects instant responses and validation, has led to a rapid rise in issues such as anxiety and depression. In many cases, it’s because people feel they simply cannot keep up with the various pressures they face on a daily basis.

So it’s no wonder ancient Eastern practices like yoga and meditation are becoming more and more popular. While some may dismiss them as nothing more than hipster fads commercialising the notion of ‘mindfulness’ (and in some cases this is a fair call), their true essence runs deeper than that. The research which has been conducted in relation to their benefits on the human psyche and health are endless. A recent study published in the Psychological Bulletin, combining the findings of 163 different studies, found that meditation practices had a substantial positive effect overall on improving psychological factors like anxiety and stress. Another conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School saw mindfulness taught to a group of people with clinical levels of anxiety, 90% of whom ended up noticing significant reductions in their anxiety and even depression. The facts and figures are endless, and you can choose whether or not you want to believe them. But taking a few minutes every day to centre yourself and, ideally, connect with nature never hurt anyone. For many, this is all that’s needed to make them feel better.

Cottesloe Beach

Here in Perth, we are blessed with a great location, climate and overall quality of life. Having travelled all over the world, I have come across very few places which can boast pristine ocean coastlines, a river running right through the city centre, abundant sunshine, pleasant year-round temperatures, clean air, wide open (uncrowded) spaces, and lush parks with their own unique ecosystems. Let’s just take a moment to be grateful for all that right there. Wow, Perth is amazing. And guess what? These basic ingredients are all that’s really required to take the first step towards leading a calmer existence. It doesn’t involve becoming a full-blown yogi or mindfulness guru. All we need is right on our doorsteps – it’s just a question of fully appreciating it.

Let’s start with the beaches. Whether you’re a NOR or SOR native, it doesn’t matter. Our coast-hugging city offers salty air & awe-inspiring sunsets from Mindarie to Rockingham and beyond. You know all those “ocean wave” relaxation CDs? We’ve got the real thing. Make the effort to go and listen to it. Soak it up. I recently went to Cottesloe to watch the sunset and overheard an English tourist next to me practically freaking out at the sight. He just could not get over how amazing it was. It was pure delight at something many of us probably take for granted. It was great to see.

See Also: Mindfulness is living in the now

Queens Gardens

When it comes to parks, you don’t need me to tell you the merits of our iconic Kings Park. It’s all been said before. But our city is actually dotted with green spaces perfect for quiet contemplation and chilling out. Take Queens Gardens, for example. A tranquil oasis in the CBD – close enough for many people to spend their lunch break there during the week. Complete with weeping willows, lily ponds and birdlife. But any park will do, and most suburbs have them. Take five minutes to sit on a bench and take in the environment – breathing in (comparatively) clean air and enjoying the open spaces Perth offers even in many of its most densely urbanised locations.

Swan River

And if oceans and ponds aren’t enough to nourish your water feng shui element, we’ve also got the beautiful Swan River running right through the city, complete with dolphins. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have seen pods of them in Claisebrook Cove. Some people pay big bucks to go on cruises to see dolphins. We’ve got them swimming in an inner-city suburb like East Perth. It’s actually quite mind-blowing when you think about it. But meditation and centring don’t have to be stationary activities. Exercising alongside nature is just as beneficial. Much of the river is lined with walking paths and bike tracks. You might like to make it part of your fitness regime to get outdoors amongst it all. Switch off the thoughts about the past and future in your mind for just a few precious moments, and focus simply on your own body and the running water beside you in the present. With our fantastic climate, we can do this virtually all year round, so any time is a great time to start!

Mindfulness and meditation are not necessarily about sitting cross-legged and repeating Om mantras. You don’t have to reach some perfect state of enlightenment. We all tend to get caught up in our hectic day-to-day lives, and sometimes we just need to remember to take a step back, breathe and appreciate nature and our surroundings more. It often helps us put things in perspective. So next time your mental to-do list starts shouting at you, think about some of the great natural chill-out options Perth offers. They’re at your disposal whenever you like, and cost nothing apart from a bit of time and motivation. It’s meditation Perth-style.