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 latest online resources: a series of calming videos designed to help Australians — and everyone, really — cope with everything that 2020 has thrown at us.
Whether you're an Aucklander in Alert Level 3 lockdown or a Wellingtonian just coming to terms with newly reimplemented social gathering limits, 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 the 'Marine Mindfulness' range are 12 videos split across three sections, spanning guided meditation, slow TV and yoga under the sea.
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. Although the seahorses clip only runs for 15 seconds, there are plenty of lengthier options — including a 40-minute clownfish video, 17 minutes of turtles and almost half an hour of moon jellyfish.
For those who'd like to get active while they enjoy a feast watery sights, four yoga clips — spanning four–eight minutes in length — will get you bending and stretching. They're all filmed in the ocean tunnel at Sea Life Sunshine Coast, rather than in Melbourne. Either way, though, they take place in quite the stunning surroundings.
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium's 'Marine Mindfulness' videos are available to view online.