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mahabis visuals // breathtaking views of the universe
Dec 09, 2016
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In light of the announcement of this years winners of Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016 competition, a fascinating exhibition held at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, we thought we'd share some of our favourite images from this years winners and runners-up.

From China to Norway, the exhibition features work by photographers from all over the world, all capturing the incredible nature of the universe that we live in but do not see.

Sit back, relax and take in these stunning images of the moon, galaxies, aurorae, and more.

mahabis guide // astronomy photography

photo: Black and White Aurora - Kolbein Svensson

photo: Twilight Aurora - György Soponyai

mahabis guide // astronomy photography

photo - The Rainbow Star - Steve Brown

photo: M94 Deep Space Halo - Nicolas Outters

photo: Binary Haze - Ainsley Bennett

mahabis guide // astronomy photography

photo: Baily's Beads - Yu Jun

photo: Maurolycus to Moretus - Jordi Delpeix Borrell

mahabis guide // insight astronomy photography

photo: Man on the Moon - Dani Caxete

mahabis guide // insight astronomy photography

photo: Antlia Galaxy Cluster Extreme Deep Field, 152 Hours - Rolf Wahl Olsen

The exhibition runs until June 2017 so why not head to the Astronomy Centre to see more breathtaking photography, or, if you're interested in entering next years competition, find out more here.

If you enjoyed reading our post, feel free to share via our ready-to-go tweet link.

Dec 09, 2016

mahabis visuals // breathtaking views of the universe

From China to Norway, the exhibition features work by photographers from all over the world, all capturing the incredible nature of the universe that we live in but do not see.

Sit back, relax and take in these stunning images of the moon, galaxies, aurorae, and more.

mahabis guide // astronomy photography

photo: Black and White Aurora - Kolbein Svensson

photo: Twilight Aurora - György Soponyai

mahabis guide // astronomy photography

photo - The Rainbow Star - Steve Brown

photo: M94 Deep Space Halo - Nicolas Outters

photo: Binary Haze - Ainsley Bennett

mahabis guide // astronomy photography

photo: Baily's Beads - Yu Jun

photo: Maurolycus to Moretus - Jordi Delpeix Borrell

mahabis guide // insight astronomy photography

photo: Man on the Moon - Dani Caxete

mahabis guide // insight astronomy photography

photo: Antlia Galaxy Cluster Extreme Deep Field, 152 Hours - Rolf Wahl Olsen

The exhibition runs until June 2017 so why not head to the Astronomy Centre to see more breathtaking photography, or, if you're interested in entering next years competition, find out more here.

If you enjoyed reading our post, feel free to share via our ready-to-go tweet link.

Written by Sarah Lopeman
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mahabis chill // five apps to help you unwind Jul 04, 2019

The world's obsession with productivity is being catered to by productivity apps designed to help you achieve more, in less time.

In the face of this, we want to bring you apps that help you relax, unwind, and switch off. Mindsets that are perhaps even more important in this fast-paced world.

Here's our download on the best apps to aid you in your downtime.

1. Calm

Best for: meditation and mindfulness

If you're new to mindfulness, Calm is said to be a great beginners app.

With Calm you get access to over 100 guided meditation sessions which can help you lower stress and anxiety.

Emma, our product manager, uses Calm regularly. "I use it to drift off to sleep at night. It helps me switch off and relax by getting me to focus on my breathing and the story I am listening to".

2. White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds

Best for: blocking out unwanted noise and forming sleep associations

Say goodbye to sleepless nights, this app claims to lull you (and your baby) off to sleep with calming and relaxing sounds.

On top of that, much like a baby you'll learn sleep associations that will help cue your brain for sleep time.

There are 26 professionally recorded and customizable soothing sounds to help you drift off.

We especially love "roaring fire".

3. Pause

Best for: giving yourself a time-out

If you find a task is giving you stress, Pause can help you stop, step back, and reset.

The app simply shows a small ink blob floating across your screen amongst multiple smaller dots. The aim is to use your finger to slowly guide the ink around the screen collecting the smaller dots and subsequently growing your blob.

If you deviate away from your selected speed, the app will pause and remind you to allocate your full attention to it. The theory behind the app is that stress levels will decrease if you devote your attention to an entirely different task.



4. Breathe2relax

Best for: simple breathing techniques to manage stress

Focusing on teaching deep-breathing techniques, Breathe2Relax is an ideal solution for quick relaxation.

We love this app for its simplicity. It displays instructions that teach the individual a variety of breathing exercises with a handy on-screen chart that shows how long you should hold each breath.

These techniques can help with mood stabilisation, anger management, and anxiety. Not a bad app to have on hand if your days starts to get a bit too much.

5. Audible

best for: helping you switch off without zapping too much energy

While the Audible app's main purpose isn't de-stressing, it does a great job at helping you switch off with little energy expenditure and limited screen time.

When you need a distraction from your own thoughts, but you're too tired or wound up to read, an audiobook is a great tool.

We recommend listening to the comforting, dulcet tones of Stephen Fry as he reads aloud Harry Potter. You'll switch off quicker than you can say alohomora.

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mahabis // national relaxation day Aug 14, 2018

In light of National Relaxation Day, we thought we'd take some time to reflect on the importance of taking time out to relax, no matter how busy we are. We now live in a world that is always on the go, which makes it all the more important that we take the time to step back from it all. So why not start today. Put your mahabis on, feet up, and relax.

photo: carl cerstrand

We say this often, but that's because it is true for many people: we don't spend enough time relaxing. Work, family and social commitments are all essential and fulfilling, but tend to fill up our days meaning that we barely get any time to indulge in ourselves and our own needs. And whilst it seems like there's a dedicated 'day' for everything, sometimes it takes that extra bit of encouragement to remind ourselves that me-time is a necessity, not a luxury.

photo: evencki x mahabis

National Relaxation Day is a day that everyone can participate in. Even if you only manage to take fifteen minutes to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee without any distractions, you should be able to find time in your day to simply enjoy relaxing.

But it isn't just about indulging in a little relaxation on this one day, however. It also serves to remind those of us with busy lifestyles that taking time to unwind shouldn’t be seen as a failure, or a break in productivity. Instead, it's essential, and helps us to recharge.

Little things can make all of the difference. Whether it's taking inspiration from the Swedes and taking your coffee break away from your desk in a cosy café, or walking the last section of your commute to give yourself some headspace on a morning stroll... You may not be able to indulge in hours of me-time every single day, but National Relaxation Day is a great opportunity to try out some of these small changes to your everyday routine.

In need of a little inspiration for how to take time to relax on National Relaxation Day? We spoke to a few of inspirational creatives about their downtime. Check out these snippets below, and continue reading our 'notes on downtime' series for more...

Jessica Wright // editor of Bon Traveler

“Relaxation for me is found in the smaller moments. I have a hard time sitting still, so I try to find 15 minutes a few times a day just to be calm. These moments help me find balance and put the day in perspective. I’ll grab a cup of coffee, or just sit on the carpet and read a book. Being intentional during these times in the day helps me to relax.”

photos: instagram // @bontraveler

Rob Jones // photographer, traveller

"Often photography is my downtime, because it provides a creative outlet outside of my work and gives me a fun way to explore new parts of a city too. Apart from that I love sitting in a cafe where the background noise and music all blends together, and I can get into the zone with a good book and a coffee."

photos: instagram // @robmuch

Jessica Jungbauer // writer and photographer

“In striving for a slower lifestyle, cherishing downtime is a crucial part of my everyday life. Whether it’s unplugging an hour before bedtime or taking time off during the week after finishing a deadline – to know when your body is at its best and when it needs to rest was one of the key elements from the very first moment when setting up my freelance business.”

photos: instagram // @jessicajungbauer

Want more? Head to our first instalment of "notes on downtime" for the full post...
mahabis photography // silence series, by claire droppert Mar 14, 2018

Claire Droppert’s intriguing photo series explores the tranquillity and absence of sound in the places that she visits. By photographing peaceful scenery with the lack of any human interaction, her images conjure up visions of a land where humans have never stepped foot.

Silence [ˈsaɪləns]

1. the state or quality of being silent

2. the absence of sound or noise; stillness

3. refusal or failure to speak and communicate.

4. a period of time without noise

5. oblivion or obscurity

This dictionary entry accompanies the series of images on Claire’s own website, perfectly describing the aesthetic of her work. Through forgotten landscapes, isolated plateaus and still waters, her photographs convey the visualisation of time stood still. There are no people, no noises, no distractions. The focus of the photographs is very much on the scenery.

The tones, colours and light used in the images helps to convey this message of silence. A predominant palette of blue and white appears calm and peaceful, the absence of bright colours creating a relaxing aesthetic. Likewise, the use of natural light helps to convey a soothing ambience.

Claire states that she chose to keep her images in a simplistic style to keep the focus on the features of her chosen destinations and the absence of any sort of noise, straying away from any sort of distraction to focus on a profound peacefulness. These images make you wonder where the people, nature and weather are. They are frozen moments in time, captured to preserve fleeting moments of silence.

photos: claire droppert via behance

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mahabis travel // best european squares Mar 12, 2018

All across Europe, towns and cities boast squares or piazzas where locals flock to sit al fresco and relax, whilst tourists swarm to admire the architecture. This culture of lounging in chairs outside cafes watching the world go by is quintessentially continental, associated with a slower pace of life.

When visiting cities across Europe, why not visit the local squares to soak in the architecture and culture, but also to sit with a cup of espresso and spend some time simply watching the world go by.

Wondering where to visit? We’ve curated a list of seven of the best European squares, selected for their atmosphere, architecture and culture.

Piazza Navona, Rome

Although St Peter’s Square in Vatican City may be Rome’s most famous square (and we do recommend paying a visit), Piazza Navona is our favourite Roman destination for soaking up the local culture. Originally built as a stadium for chariot races, the Piazza is now used as a meeting place for locals, lined with dozens of cafes whose alfresco seats are always filled.

Street performers, painters and musicians fill the Piazza with life, tempting visitors to stroll around before settling down into a seat to enjoy a cup of coffee. Spectacular architecture lurks behind every corner in Rome, but Piazza Navona is particularly special with its fountains, Baroque buildings and surrounding palazzos creating the feeling of an outdoor museum.

Red Square, Moscow

One of the most iconic city squares in the entire world, Moscow’s Red Square is a pilgrimage for architecture lovers who seek to admire the iconic domes of the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral. Lacking the cosy cafes and street performers of other European squares, Red Square can seem quite forbidding on first glance, but its awe-inspiring structures rarely fail to impress.

The Kremlin and the Cathedral (best viewed when lit up at night) aren’t the only important buildings on the square. Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Kazan Cathedral and various bronze statues all tempt history buffs to visit the site of many of Russia’s key historical moments unfolded.

Piazza del Campo, Sienna

One of the most enchanting medieval cities in Italy, Siena is home to a delightful square which still fulfils its original function as the heart of the city. Locals gather here to eat brunch and catch up with friends, but also for the Palio di Siena horse race which takes place in the square twice a year.

A casual, relaxing atmosphere flows through the square, encouraging visitors, but the grand buildings that surround it also draw in the crowds. Gothic houses, medieval structures and the Fountain of Joy attract interest from tourists seeking the historical buildings that Siena is famed for.

Rynek Glowny, Krakow

Krakow’s Main Square sits in the heart of the city’s Old Town, surrounded by a melting pot of striking architecture from different eras of the city’s history. Colourful and decorative buildings, including the 13^th Century Town Hall Tower and Gothic churches tower above an array of cafes and restaurants that spill out onto the square.

During celebrations such as Easter, the Rynek becomes a bustling hive of activity with festive markets and outdoor concerts hosted in the centre of the square. An enchanting destination all year round, the square thrives during the lead up to Christmas as with one of the most vibrant Christmas markets in Europe.

Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

Spanish cities are famed for their plaza mayors, similar to Italian piazzas where locals meet to catch up over a few drinks. Salamanca’s plaza mayor is renowned throughout the country as one of the most beautiful public squares in Spain, even gained UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to the Baroque architecture that surrounds it.

In the past, the square may have been used for bullfighting but that is now a distant memory, with locals and tourists filling the space with laughter, conversation and a party atmosphere. Merry-makers linger here until the early hours of the morning; in summer simply perching on the pavement with a group of friends and bottles of beer.

Grand Place, Brussels

Brussel’s Grand Place is perhaps most renowned for its bi-annual Flower Carpet event, where over 700,000 blooms are crafted into a statement carpet design that covers the floor leading up to the Town Hall, tempting crowds of tourists to descend on the city.

Even if you don’t manage to coincide your visit with the flower festivities, the Grand Place is a favourite location with visitors thanks to the fusion of Baroque, Gothic and Louis XIV architecture that surrounds the square. Another city square that boasts UNESCO World Heritage recognition, the Grand Place is the perfect destination to soak up the culture of the city by visiting the cafes, shops and important buildings that surround it.

Old Town Square, Prague

Filled with character and culture, Prague’s Old Town Square demonstrates the diverse array of beautiful architecture in the city’s Old Town. Gothic and Baroque churches sit side by side, nestled below the iconic Prague Astronomical Clock that delights tourists and locals alike.

The pavements are filled with friendly little cafes, their tables spilling out onto the streets to allow the perfect setting to simply sit and people watch whilst enjoying local delicacies and a refreshing drink.

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photos: via wikimedia