Melbourne’s Best Spots for When You Need a Proper Reset

There’s so much emphasis on the hustle, the grind or whatever you call being productive these days. Even outside work, social media is all about optimising your five-to-nine after your nine-to-five. But that means burnout is a bigger possibility, and finding a moment to switch off seems harder than ever.

Thankfully, Melbourne’s the kind of city with plenty of options for when you need to slow down, reset and take a break – whether that’s sitting in a coffee shop away from your screens, walking through a leafy garden, or just sinking into your cosy bedsheets at the end of a long day

After all, our wellbeing doesn’t just hinge on exercising and eating well – we also need to get enough sleep. And for Sheet Society, the bedroom is the most important spot where you can rest and recharge. After all, you can’t be truly rested without a comfortable night’s sleep.

When a nap’s not on the cards, here’s our guide to the best spots to slow down in Melbourne.

A tranquil head spa

Entering the quiet, low-lit space of Tokyo Head Spa after the bustle of High Street in Armadale is a restorative experience. When a staff member asks you to choose your favourite kimono and pop on a pair of slippers, you know you’re in for a premium slice of me-time. Japanese and Korean head spas have been all the rage in Melbourne this past year, with most entailing the treatment’s trademark series of steps to wash the hair and scrub the scalp, leaving it healthy and refreshed, and Tokyo Head Spa is one of the best. Lie in a plush sofa chair while the waterfall jets flow over your hair, and you’ll emerge feeling renewed.

A green prescription

You don’t have to go far for a nature escape. Melbourne’s got plenty of parks and gardens for you to find calm in, and the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the best to visit. And for when you want some guidance, this forest therapy session takes inspiration from Japan’s practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”. It’s believed fostering a deep connection with nature delivers preventative health benefits – if nothing else, it’s a great way to chill out. And by attending this workshop, you’ll learn more about how to calm your mind via what practitioners call a “green prescription”. Bookings are essential for the weekly Sunday sessions.

An unhurried cafe

The sparse confines of Acoffee in Collingwood are the perfect escape from the overwhelming parade of screens, emails, news and doomscrolling. All white and wood, this roastery serves boutique, seasonal blends within a warehouse that feels so typical of this cool Melbourne suburb. Catch up with a mate, read a book or just stretch out your stunted attention span over a cuppa – even the tiny breaks from everyday stress can have a big impact.

A premium urban stay

When it comes to a staycation for realigning your mind and body, you don’t want a hotel chain delivering a sad club sandwich to your sparse room overlooking a car park. Head to The Lyall for a luxury, Michelin Keys-awarded design stay instead. Billed as “the hotel for people who hate hotels”, it gives off a strong pied-à-terre vibe: a private apartment feel with personalised service and premium touches. We won’t blame you for holing up in here the entire time, but if you feel rejuvenated enough to explore, the best of South Yarra (like Bar Carolina, Nora Thai and Gracie’s Wine Room) is right on your doorstep.

Transform your own space

There are plenty of spots in Melbourne to find rest and relaxation, but there’s nothing better than coming home to a cosy bedroom. Sheet Society makes the case for turning your bed into the best rest destination in the city. Soft cotton sheets, luxurious quilt covers, and silky pillowcases are all ingredients for a great night’s sleep.Visit Sheet Society in Armadale, Fitzroy or Doncaster, or shop online.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Sheet Society.