The dawn of a new challenge

LOCAL performance psychologist and author Richard Bennett has set himself a challenge designed to help the millions of Australians affected by depression and anxiety.

Bennett said he promotes the value of taking care of mental health on a daily basis.

“We create time each day to feed, bathe and rest our body and it’s also vital to create time each day to cultivate our mental wellbeing and potential.

“We can achieve this through daily practices that develop our innate gifts of mindfulness and heartfulness, committing to a goal or purpose and connecting with community and Mother Nature.”

As part of this, Bennett has set himself the “100 Dawns” challenge, in which he will meditate on the beach before dawn then enter the ocean in time for sunrise for 100 dawns in a row.

“Just as every dawn is a new day, every moment is a new opportunity to improve the quality of our thoughts, feelings and actions and our relationship with self and the world around,” he said.

The challenge, part of Bennett’s new book project The Surfer’s Soul, will raise funds for beyondblue who have been working to reduce the impacts of depression, anxiety and suicide since 2000.

“As surfers we’re always looking beyond the blue to the horizon for the next wave and it’s a pleasure to combine passion with purpose to support the wonderful work of beyondblue,” Bennett said.

For more information, phone Richard Bennett on 0407 304 845 or head to give.everydayhero.com/au/100-dawns.