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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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where to go to clear your head Aug 16, 2017

There is nothing quite like high altitudes and fresh mountain air to help you throw off the cobwebs of everyday life. Free your mind and peruse our list of escapes above the clouds.

st moritz, switzerland //

The Swiss resort is notorious primarily for its snow loving winter crowd. The springs of St Moritz are understated but equally as impressive. Without the frosty bite of snow in the air, visitors are free to breathe the smell of the lush green woods.

Rolling into Summer the region offers a plethora of activities in which to indulge. Alternatively, a spot overlooking the lake to picnic, read or take in the vista is serenely fulfilling.

Not only does the Swiss mountain offer its countryside and peace, but a vibrant lifestyle in which to be immersed. Delelectable restaurants; culturally rich art galleries, museums and motorsport heritage; all woven into an underlying them of wellness.

punakha, bhutan //

Quite far from the shiny, clean hills of the Swiss countryside, is Punakha. The foothills of the Himalayas are rich with life and tradition. Punakha is one of the most stunning of all the valleys. It lies at a junction of two rivers - the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu, literally translated as Mother river and Father river.

Serving as the capital of the country for 250 years, it holds some of the grandest buildings in Bhutan. It's temperate climate, despite averaging 1200m above sea level, combines warm winters with the freshness of altitude.

The landscape is extremely fertile and will likely be dotted with specks of orange and yellow. An abundance of citrus fruit and bananas grow rampantly amongst the flora and fauna, and beautiful endagered birds are often spotted gracing the skies.

lake pehoé, chile //

The Torres del Paine national park in southern Chile is home to glistening Lake Pehoé. Edged by snow capped mountains, in spring the lake looks like a pool of glass. Visitors wonder at how the pink sunrise still glows blue on the surface of the water. This spectacle is not rivalled in size or grandeur by any found in the northern hemisphere.

Chilean Patagonia is scattered with glaciers, waterfalls and mountains ready to summit, but the land of contrasts also features the 8th largest desert in the world. The Torres del Paine bridges the gap between the desert, known as the Patagonian Steppes, and the subpolar forests. From atop the peaks the panoramas include a surreal mixture of landscapes as though from a fairytale.

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images // rickardus, martin jernberg, olga stanska via unsplash
press play. and relax. Aug 11, 2017

We all have our own way of winding down after a long day. For some that may be a glass of wine and a great show, while others might like to sip some tea while escaping into a book. Whatever you choose, taking the time to relax and unwind is good for you both mentally and physically. A few minutes each day to focus on relaxation will not only make you happier daily, but can also provide long-term mental health benefits.

One of the simplest and most positive ways to destress and relax is to listen to music. There are so many options when it comes to genres and you can fit it into any part of your day, from your morning commute to your evening zen. Chances are you probably already spend a decent amount of your day listening to music.

Everyone has their own taste when it comes to tunes, but there are actually certain music genres that are better for relaxation and encourage a more positive mindset than others. A Stanford University study has even compared the effects of music to that of therapy when it comes to treating types of psychological disorders and alleviating stress and anxiety. It is even suggested that music therapy can be just as effective as medication for some disorders.

It all comes down to the beats of a song. Studies on the impact of music and mood indicate that music with 60 beats per minute is the most conducive to relaxation. Our brains are able to synchronize with the beat, which creates the brainwave that induces relaxation. This means that music that carries a rhythmic beat can be more effective and therapeutic for stress.

Instrumental songs are ideal for creating a rhythm making jazz and classical music top genres for relaxation. You may have to venture out of your comfort zone and experiment with new genres like Native American music, Celtic beats or nature tracks, but once you find the genre that resonates with you you’ll be able to reap the benefits.

Next time you’re feeling emotionally drained, anxious or overwhelmed try immersing yourself in music that lifts you. Take a break from your typical hip-hop, pop and rap and experiment with new beats that can help soothe your soul and adjust your mindset.

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three ways to buy time Aug 09, 2017

We all begin on equal ground with 168 hours in a week. We're left with 128 after a 40-hour work week. Maybe trim that down to 120 once you factor in the commute. If you're lucky enough to get eight hours of sleep each night, you're left with 64 hours. 32 of those remaining 64 hours are restrained to the weekend, while the other half are spread among the weekdays. So it's no surprise that we all count down the time until the weekend because we feel the need to cram five days worth of free time into just two days. 32 hours over five weekdays equates to six hours and 24 minutes per day of free time. Yet, when was the last time you felt you had nearly six and a half hours of free time on a workday? Factor in meals, bathing, errands, socializing, or simply watching a television show and you're likely dipping into borrowed time. You shouldn't have to decide between watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones and getting enough sleep.

Despite these approximations of how your week breaks down into hours, life is not this predictable or regimented. Your car breaks down. A friend needs help. You have a doctor's appointment. Life gets in the way and our free time is not always guaranteed. Still, the importance of making time for yourself is invaluable toward improving both mental and physical health. According to 2017 research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America titled "Buying time promotes happiness", time scarcity is a cause of lower life satisfaction, and investing in time-saving purchases is more rewarding than material purchases (PNAS). This study also showed a heightened relationship between a sense of control over one's time and how impactful time stress is on an individual. Essentially, if you feel like you are in control of your time, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed by mounting pressures of how time is apportioned. With the knowledge that control over how we spend our time is key to reducing stress, how do we reclaim control and take back our time? There are three key methods for putting this task into action: optimization, motivation, and expression.

Optimization //

Modern life is no stranger to multi-tasking, but the quality of completing multiple tasks at a time can vary greatly. In order to optimize your time, invest time one day a week to plan ahead. For example, meal planning can save you hours during the week by removing indecision and having pre-made meals ready to go. Invest in some good tupperware, cook in bulk, and you can have meals ready in advance that are likely to be healthier and less expensive. The time it takes to cook chicken, rice, and vegetables is the same for one chicken breast as it is for five. The time saved from having to cook or travel to buy a meal can be better spent on things that give you greater pleasure.

Motivation //

Perhaps the most difficult action you can take to make the most of your time is to self-motivate. Energy and drive are difficult to drum up at the end of the work day, but whether you're stirring up endorphins from a workout or setting aside an hour to work on a pet project, you'll be left feeling glad that you did. Is there something you've been meaning or wanting to do? Keep a "fun to-do list" on your refrigerator or phone of things to do just for yourself. For some people it's practicing with an instrument, or reading the book that has been on your nightstand for months, or exploring the park just outside of town. Ultimately, we can complain about feeling like we don't have enough time and wallowing in that frustration, or we can take advantage of time when it presents itself. Whether you're going for a walk with a friend, having a pamper day at home, or trying the new Lebanese restaurant that opened up near you, use your free time to work your way through your list. Even if the shawarma isn't as good as you had hoped, you'll feel productive for spending your free time doing something on your terms rather than someone else's.

Expression //

Many of us have hobbies and creative outlets that we've had to set aside as we've grown older. The things that made us who we are can drift and get lost in the ether of adulthood. Those outpourings of creativity, activity, and engagement have shpaped us, and still can. Of course you'll be a little rusty, whether you're playing piano or basketball, and it will seem daunting to revisit an old interest in photography or volunteering at a local food bank. Whatever activities you love to do, there is no reason to lose them to the hurdles of age and time. The gratification of expressing yourself in a way that brings you genuine joy will justify the time in a way that work is inherently unable. To work towards something that rewards you in non-financial ways is to tap back into happiness that can't be bought.

Ultimately, the sense of a shortage of time is something that dominates the majority of us. By having more time, and feeling in control of those 168 hours that we have each week, we are able to live a happier life. Reclaiming that time, whether that be through ‘buying’ it back with time saving purchases, or prioritising the time you have to yourself more than we usually do, we can optimise those precious 168 hours to the max, and notice the benefits. So, why not that taxi or grab that ready made coffee, and then enjoy putting your feet up for that little bit longer. We all have the same number of hours in a week, so it’s up to us to shape them into time well spent.

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macro effects of micro-habits Aug 02, 2017

We live in an era of self-improvement – whether it’s the glare of social media or the glow of just wanting to reach our full potential, our time is filled with big ideas, promises to be better, and grandiose designs to change our life. Often, we fail and often we feel terrible. Micro-habits can change that, taking tiny steps each day is far more manageable than running a marathon. In short, small changes can reap big benefits.

Whatever your big goal is, don’t bite off more than you can chew. For example, you declare you want to learn French, commit to ten lessons a month and then realize half way through your first week that you don’t have the time and energy to do this. You feel intimidated by your own declaration, then you feel guilty for not completing it. But, with a micro-habit, you can commit to just learning one or two words a day. It’s easier for your brain to retain information that way, it hasn’t cost you a fortune, and you have used minimal effort. This is the magic of the micro-habit, which in turn leads to behavior momentum.

We all want to read more, learn yoga, get fitter, be more cultured, work less and eat better. Yet, these are all vague sentiments and with vagueness comes no real plan. Working micro-habits into your daily routine gives you a sensible and perfectly achievable direction. It’s one page a day, one stretch in the morning, one ten-minute break from the computer, and one piece of fruit.

When you make a commitment to repeating one small change a day, before you know it – you have changed your life without even realizing it. The hardest part is getting started and remembering that you should read a page or eat more fruit, yet this is so much easier than implementing a whole new cooking regime or reading all of War and Peace in a weekend.

With minimal effort and just a small tweak in your routine, we can achieve so much without even realising it – all without the fog of failure hanging over your head. Micro-habits also encourage healthy thinking; they remind us that it doesn’t always take grand gestures to get us where we are going, but one tiny step can kickstart the difference.

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