WellBeing Being

Joy is such an ephemeral state of being that if we’re not being mindful of the feeling when it arises, then we may not even recognise the fleeting moment. Rather than a measure of how good you feel over time, which is the definition of happiness, joy

Contentment often arises when you are at peace with who you are and where you are, right now. Similar to mindfulness, it is a way of being that helps you appreciate the fleeting nature of the present moment, which is also a lesson in impermanence. “T

It’s often only when we carve out the space to slow down that we can truly bear witness to, and appreciate, the present moment. Once we start paying attention — even to the most ordinary things — everyday moments can become remarkable. My most recent

Do you have a pal that never leaves an op shop without an amazing, unique outfit, while you’re left sorting through piles of musty T-shirts? You too can learn how to thrift like a pro, saving you time and money in your quest for an inimitable collect

The internet, computers and smart devices dominate the way we live, work, communicate, access and store information, shop, entertain ourselves and more. But, as any 21st-century human knows, there’s a downside to tech’s everpresent stranglehold over

Know the difference between what you can’t change and what you can. It may not be possible to go back in time to the days before the information age or buy a new device, but we can make changes that matter. The solution to our tech stress isn’t easy.

People have always complimented me on my knack for making a house feel like a home. My pokey apartments in Sydney, sardine-packed share houses in Byron Bay and, more recently, humble abodes with my man and pets have invited people to feel relaxed, co

Have you ever left a lovely catch-up with a family member, feeling full with joy and gratitude, only to find yourself imagining something terrible happening to them? Perhaps you’ve noticed yourself feeling excited about a new romantic relationship, b

To be at ease is to feel free yet grounded. When you’re at ease, you’re able to welcome the moment with attention and care, regardless of whether the experience is positive, negative or neutral. When you connect with the feeling of ease, how do you s

There are only a few sure things in life: birth, death and change. Change is a natural part of the human experience and yet something most of us are extremely resistant to. It’s said that the human race has survived this long due to our ability to ad

As restrictions lift, borders reopen and we learn to live with Covid-19, we are still faced with a great deal of uncertainty. Many of us are returning to the workplace or back on campus to study, and there is a level of anxiety around what this will

It’s ironic that, as I sit here typing these words, I desire to paint the page with eloquence. I want to find the most articulate and creative way of sharing this message with you. I can feel the memory of “better” writers humming in the background o

I learned to read perched on my grandmother’s knee. She was chair-bound, I was about four years old. I remember the shimmering scales on the book The Rainbow Fish and my nanna’s finger skating beneath each word as she read out loud. As a child, readi

Annie Carter, host of the Yes You podcast, remembers her first inkling that there was something cyclical about her experiences: “I was feeling really stressed and really anxious one day and, as I was writing in my journal, I felt like I’d written thi

While the past couple of years have brought an abundance of novel challenges, they’ve also shaken us awake and made us more keenly aware of life and its contents than we ever were before. We’ve been presented with the opportunity to rethink, reimagin

Being magazine asked me to contribute an article for this autumn issue — but, first, I need a coffee. This is a habit, but also a reliable creative-writing technique. The ritual of turning on the machine, warming up my cup and grinding my beans — all

You, like all humans beings, are innately whole. Being whole is something worth regularly acknowledging within yourself as it acts as a reminder that you have enough, you know enough and you are enough — just as you are. What does the feeling of whol

When Matthew Evans hiked in a forest, he would focus on the beauty above ground. He would search for platypus in rivers, identify bird calls and breathe in the silence of the trees. “But, these days,” says the celebrity chef and farmer, “I’m entrance

Every day, we have countless opportunities to impact the people around us. Sometimes, we hold back due to inhibition or uncertainty around what is appropriate or how our actions will be received. However, in today’s world, being kind is more importan

Recently, while perusing the mission statement of an organisation, insight hit me. In contrast to my scattered passions and unfinished projects, its purpose was singular and clear. Excited to apply the same framework to my rambling goals, I grabbed a

It is well known that regular exercise, nourishing eating habits and self-care rituals are essential for wellbeing, but when new advice comes from every direction, and daily to-do lists are squashed between morning and evening routines, freedom and p

Text and images from The Plant Clinic: Healing with Plant Medicine by Erin Lovell Verinder, photography by Georgia Blackie, published by Thames & Hudson, $39.99 The restorative power of the plants syncs with a deeper state of received healing when th

This journal is designed to support your journey with mindfulness by offering everyday tools, insights and prompts for you to draw on throughout the course of a year. You might be called to write in this journal daily, or it may only be something tha

I’ve noticed that when I talk about food, I repeatedly contradict myself. One day I hear myself saying that lemon desserts are my favourite, then I go and order a chocolate brownie. Yesterday I was rhapsodising with a friend about the pleasure of eat

Shakshuka, the North African dish of eggs baked in spicy tomato sauce, has become an essential item on brunch menus everywhere. In this version, the eggs are cooked within a bed of mixed green vegetables instead of tomatoes, making it extremely healt

Q: What are Bach flowers? A: Bach flower remedies were discovered and developed in Britain in the 1920s and 1930s by Dr Edward Bach. Dr Bach was a renowned English doctor, bacteriologist, pathologist and medical researcher who also studied the work o

Q: What does a mindful ritual mean to you? A: For me, rituals are part of my daily routine. A ritual is a process where you follow certain movements and tasks while being mindful of the practice — being aware of your space, your thoughts and your bod

Q: Why should people embark on a career in natural health? A: There’s never been a better time to study natural medicine. Australia’s complementary medicine health sector has seen considerable growth in the past five years and is now a $5.6 billion i

Give a gift to grow this Mother’s Day with a lush plant from Gro-Urban Oasis. Lasting long after the petals have fallen, a living plant gift will grow — just like your love — for years to come. Head to #gromoregreen, #grolivinggift or @gro_urban_oasi

If you’ve ever felt like your mood or stress levels have been impacted by changes in the weather, you’re not alone. While some of us thrive during the colder months, research shows that up to 20 per cent of the population are likely to face “winter b

Q: I feel most calm when… A: I am swimming in the ocean, which is not something I’ve always done a lot of. We live really close to the ocean — we’re in the north-west of Tasmania — and the water is really cold. But I’m just so invigorated and jolted

Organic Merchant is an award-winning Australian premium loose-leaf tea brand. Founded by naturopath Chalimah Jeanne in 2011, all blends are formulated using 100 per cent certified organic ingredients carefully selected for their rich nutrient value,