With Mental Health Awareness Month continuing throughout October, co-founders of The Sit, Mike Britton and Jason Partington, are encouraging Coasties to join in a month of daily meditations to help strengthen mental fitness, culminating in a major event, The BIG Sit, at Umina Beach on October 29.
Previously called 28 for Twenty Eight, the event was held on the Coast 2021 and 2020, with one of those being an online event due to COVID-19 restrictions.
It is also held in other locations, with $100,000 so far being raised for Lifeline.
This year funds will go towards the Not-for-Profit Sit Community.
The men say it is time to allow some calm into our busy lifestyles.
“We are keen to provide a proactive measure for mental fitness,” Partington said.
“It is time that people start seeing that mental fitness is equally as important as our physical fitness.
“We acknowledge that many of us are very busy, distracted and functioning on autopilot most of the time.
“The BIG Sit is an opportunity to take some time to focus internally, to quieten the mind and to find some stillness.”
Coasties can ignite their motivation for a month of meditation with the support of like-minded people by joining the regular Sit Saturday Sunrise meditation at 6.30am at Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
To keep up the momentum and improve their mental fitness, people are encouraged to meditate for 10-20 minutes daily up until The BIG Sit on Saturday, October 29.
Partington said Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, has been an “amazing” supporter of the event, which has had two mentions in Parliament.
Tesch, said taking time out of our busy lives is crucial for health and wellbeing.
“Often, we find our day is taken up with getting through our to do list and focussing on the needs of others, and we don’t leave time to nurture ourselves,” she said.
“I understand the demands and pressure of a busy lifestyle and I’ve found that by doing a daily meditation practice, even if it is for 10 minutes, I feel more energised and mind is more focussed for the day ahead.
“I encourage everyone of all ages to take time out for themselves this October and look forward to seeing our community get together and raise awareness for mental health at The BIG Sit.”
The event will comprise a 30-minute guided meditation on the beach.
Participants should arrive from 6.45am for a 7m start at Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Umina.
For more information visit The BIG Sit website.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, contact Lifeline 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
Terry Collins