On ‘Blue Monday’, automotive industry charity Ben is sharing how people can benefit from a new focus to enhance their health and wellbeing and the right support to achieve their goals.
Blue Monday falls on the third Monday of each year, and is thought to be the most depressing day. This is likely due to the distance between pay days, and the festive season having passed. However, it can also be an opportunity to reflect, and make positive changes for the rest of the year, and beyond.
These can range from anything, including making career and lifestyle changes. Ben is highlighting how its Coaching Service for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry can support individuals to progress to their career, boost their confidence and improve their lifestyle including eating habits, self-care and work-life balance. Ben’s qualified coaches work with individuals to identify areas of their lives they would like to improve, set goals and achieve them.
Find out more about Ben’s Coaching Service and sign up: www.ben.org.uk/lifecoaching
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “January tends to be a time for self-reflection. We hear a lot about resolutions and setting goals which can be difficult to achieve on your own – so let Ben help you! People can sometimes feel stuck in their personal lives and in their career, but that is why our coaching service is so valuable – our coaches help you work out what you want in life and how to move towards or achieve this. They help give individuals the vision and the motivation they need to make positive, lasting changes.
“We also have some fantastic and fun events happening this year which might tick the box for many of our automotive family in terms of giving back, increasing physical activity levels and enhancing overall wellbeing.”
Be involved with Ben
Research suggests that ‘giving back’ and physical activity are also great ways to enhance wellbeing, so Ben is promoting a range of exciting fundraising and challenge events taking place throughout 2024. The events are aimed at a range of fitness levels and there are options for individuals and teams.
- Race Across Britain (26th-28th February) – Limited spaces are available for this one-of-a-kind event inspired by the popular BBC TV series, ‘Race Across the World’. With no planes, no smartphones and no pre-planning allowed, teams of two can cycle, run, walk or use public transport, navigating from checkpoint to checkpoint. Find out more here.
- Benathlon (1st-31st March) – The next Benathlon is taking place throughout the 31 days of March and individuals can choose how they complete the 100-mile challenge, for example, by walking, cycling, running, swimming, or even by horse riding or skipping! Find out more here.
- Beast of Ben (3rd-5th July) – Back by popular demand, this epic team challenge event is set to be bigger and better than before! Aimed at teams of four, it’s a great team building event which includes hiking, cycling and kayaking. Find out more here.
Editors comment: Make Blue Monday the beginning of the journey
January can be a difficult time for many, and Monday 15th will be regarded as one of its most difficult days. But it need not be, instead, it is an opportunity. Negative feelings can overwhelm, but they come with questions, and if you try to answer those questions, you can gain a better outlook that will serve you well in the coming months.
In fact, Blue Monday originates from a press release issued by Sky Travel in 2005, quoted by a university tutor who wanted to ‘inspire people to make bold decisions’. So while the hype of negativity, mainly associated with mainstream press outlets, has rumbled on to make Blue Monday a big thing, it is, in fact, just another day.
And for those who struggle with their mental health, Blue Monday is just that, another day. If you are feeling low, upset or worried, these thoughts will not just appear and disappear in a 24-hour time window. Accepting these feelings is a step forward, and seeking support is another. Whether it is deciding to change things in your life, or understand yourself better, the journey starts with a decision, and Blue Monday, while not exactly a science, can be the beginning.
Sign up to boost your health and wellbeing!
This New Year, sign up to receive regular tips, advice and tools for your health & wellbeing straight to your inbox at www.ben.org.uk/signup.
Ben is here for all industry people, not just on Blue Monday, but throughout winter and beyond. So, if you work, or have worked, in the automotive industry, we urge you to get in touch now if you are struggling via its free and confidential helpline.
Do not suffer in silence, contact the helpline: 08081 311 333 or use Ben’s webchat at www.ben.org.uk. You can also access Ben’s out of hours text support line by texting BEN to 85258. make Blue Monday the start of the journey.
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