Overview
As the slow TV trend has already taught us, staring at one gradually moving sight for an extended period can be extremely relaxing. As anyone who has ever visited an aquarium or had their own fish tank knows, watching sea creatures swim around also fits that description. Combine the two, and you have Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium's pandemic-era online resources: a series of calming videos designed to help Melburnians — and everyone, really — cope with everything that the past 14 months or so has thrown at us.
Whether you're a Victorian back in lockdown, or you're located elsewhere throughout the country, we're certain that your day — and your daily routine — could use the kind of splash that only ocean critters can provide. On offer as part of 'Marine Mindfulness' are a range videos split across two sections, spanning guided meditation and slow TV.
With the guided meditation clips, you have two choices: peer at luminous jellyfish for ten minutes, or spend six minutes with the creatures in Melbourne Aquarium's 2.2-million-litre oceanarium. Whichever you opt for, you'll also listen to soothing narration which tells you more about the marine life you're looking at.
Prefer just watching and soaking in some peaceful music? The slow TV lineup has you covered. Spend 20 minutes watching the inhabitants of the aquarium's coral atoll, or 13 minutes peering at penguins, lizards, sharks, rays, fish and eels — and a pumpkin treat — last Halloween. There's also a 20-minute look at life in the oceanarium, as well as a 17-minute clownfish video.
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium's 'Marine Mindfulness' videos are available to view online.
This article was first published on April 22, 2020, and was updated on May 29, 2021 with the most up-to-date information.