Channel the power of ‘blue mind’ and combat the January blues with the help of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
Today (17 January 2022) is ‘Blue Monday’, the most depressing day of the year according to some, due to the combination of January weather and the distance from Christmas.
Blue mind refers to restorative powers of being in, on, under or next to the sea, and the powerfully positive impact this can have on our mental health. With Plymouth Sound on our doorstep, we can channel the effects of blue mind to improve our mood.
Plymouth City Council is calling on the people of Plymouth to get involved today and share how you get your regular dose of ‘vitamin sea’, whether you’re a wild swimmer, sailor, kayaker or simply a lover of waterfront walks.
Share your photos, tips and stories using the hashtag #PlymouthBlueMind and tagging the new Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (@PlymSoundNMP) accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “This year we want to reclaim Blue Monday and spread the power of ‘blue mind’ instead – we know that the sea brings so many benefits for our mental and physical health and in Britain’s Ocean City, we’re lucky to have access to the incredible waterfront on our doorstep.
“By creating the UK’s first National Marine Park, we’re working to protect and enhance this precious natural environment and safeguard it for generations to come. Our first step is to learn how our local residents engage with, access and appreciate the water which we will be doing with a full engagement programme over the next year.”
Thanks to National Lottery players, 2022 marks the start of a ‘year of listening and co-design’ for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, which has recently appointed an interim chief executive, Elaine Hayes. Over the next 12 months, the Council will be engaging with the local community to find out more about how they access the water, what Plymouth Sound means to them and how the National Marine Park can improve both quality of life and quality of our natural environment and marine heritage.
The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is a partnership project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund led by Plymouth City Council with the Ocean Conservation Trust, Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre, Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park.