We challenge every single one of you to get up and get out through these challenging times, we encourage you to join our Strava exercise club ([url=www.strava.com/clubs/820309]www.strava.com/clubs/820309)[/url] and enter our league table for a chance to win a prize at the end of the 4 weeks. All you need to do is walk, run or cycle and record your result on the app and you will automatically go into our leaderboard.

Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our wellbeing. Even a short 10 minute brisk walk increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood. Participation in regular physical activity can increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety. So we have decided to challenge and support anybody that wants to join.

We feel that we can all create a buzz around the town and surrounding areas and alongside this we are supporting our official away kit sponsor, K Mind and Brightlingsea event, Winter Fest

KMind

Please take a minute to learn about their services and the importance of NLP from Kirstie's Story:

I am Kirstie Morrison aged 32. I live in Essex with my husband Cathal, our son Charlie and our shih-tzu dog Zane who is very much a part of our family team.

I have experienced anxiety and depression for most of my child and adult life, I have been to the doctors and seen many counsellors which all helped to an extent. But I would feel OK and practice my ‘positive thinking ‘for 6 months or so then I would fall back under that dark, lonely cloud.

I always knew I wanted to help people and I loved learning about how our brains work but I always felt like a fraud, how could I help others? when I still wasn’t ‘fixed’.

Then I discovered NLP.

There is no such thing as failure, only feedback.

NLP has taught me so much, but the main thing is that I am normal (whatever normal may be) it’s OK to have bad days and I have so much strength that I never knew I had.

I have also learnt that from my pain I have a deep empathy for others going through these emotions and from that people don’t feel judged, instead they feel heard and I believe everyone deserves to be listened to.

NLP is about noticing your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and then shifting them to a better state. Yes, this isn’t always easy, and I resisted a lot at first BUT with a practitioner to lead you and support you along the way, you can do great things.

So, what exactly is NLP?

NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming it provides practical ways in which you can change the way that you think, view events differently and approach your life in a more proactive positive way.

NLP can help you take back that control of your life and really move forward. We work with your desired outcome rather than focusing on the past and what we don’t want, we really take action and work on what you do want. I will ask you questions that may feel challenging, but these will help lead you to your desired outcome.

NLP can help with many things, here are few:

● Anxiety
● Confidence
● Building relationships
● Work/interview presentation nerves
● Phobias
● Insomnia
● Weight management

For more information about their services, please contact Kirstie on: Kmind20@yahoo.com

Brightlingsea WinterFest

WinterFest helps to fight depression by raising spirits and developing a sense of community during the darkest time of the year. It’s a serious subject, but we have a lot of fun with a host of music, arts and other events taking place in February.

We support North and Mid Essex Mind and our own Wellbeing Fund

Our aims are simple:

● To bring people of all ages and cultures together to build community cohesion and resilience…
● To promote the arts as a pathway to better mental wellbeing and raise awareness of mental health issues
● To showcase local talent, encourage more people to take up a new hobby and join the local clubs and music groups
● To support local businesses, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry, helping to boost income

For More info: https://brightlingseawinterfest.co.uk/

Please join Brightlingsea Regent in walking, running or cycling to raise self esteem and awareness during these challenging times and donate using our Go Fund Me Page to these two unbelievable causes. All donations will be split between both organisations, so please donate if you can

Donation Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/regent-4-week-fitness-challenge