The Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership have joined forces with the team at Beat Blue Monday to dispel all the doom and gloom surrounding Monday 19th January � the most depressing day of the year. According to Cliff Arnall formerly of Cardiff University, it�s when foul weather, debt, fading Christmas memories, failed resolutions and lack of motivation all conspire to depress. Anyone feeling low is challenged to Beat Blue Monday and overcome winter blues by following ten top tips - in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast area. Find out more on www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/blues One of the key ways to Beat Blue Monday involves getting in touch with friends and relatives and inviting them to spend a little quality time together. The Yorkshire Moors and Coast have come up with the perfect guide to uplifting and refreshing breaks with details of luxurious hotels, fabulous beaches and a choice of great eateries where visitors will definitely get an opportunity to speak to strangers! �We decided that it was time to try and dispel all the doom and gloom in this country by teaming up with Beat Blue Monday to tell people how easy it is to re-invigorate themselves in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast.� says David Shields, Development Director for the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership. Andy Green, Beat Blue Monday said �A visit to the beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast should certainly help to overcome those winter blues. Especially if it involves getting some physical exercise, pampering yourself and perhaps even trying something new.� The guide also suggests that visitors get physical with a range of adventurous activities and try something new such as becoming a falconer for the day! Most importantly the guide encourages visitors to get out in the countryside and re-find their sense of well-being by having some good honest fun. The top ten tips for Beating Blue Monday are as follows: 1. Try something new - Take your mind off your troubles by immersing yourself in something completely new. Do you fancy becoming a falconer for the day or even a train driver? Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/beatbluemonday for further information. 2. Get physical � Take advantage of championship golf courses, rugged off- roading or �Go Ape� across a thrilling network of rope bridges, trapezes and zip slides. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/do 3. Contact a friend or relative - Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com now to invite them with an e postcard. 4. Take a break � Take an opportunity to get away from it all in one of the many luxurious hotels in the area. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/accommodation for further information 5. Be nice to a stranger � Rub shoulders with the locals and catch up on village gossip in one of the many gastro pubs, restaurants or cafes in the area. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/food-and-drink for further information. 6. Help the planet � Reduce your carbon footprint. The Yorkshire Moors and Coast is very accessible so let the train take the strain and use the Moors Bus once you get there. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/travel-and-transport for further information. 7. Pamper yourself � For a truly uplifting break you need to stimulate all the senses. Indulge in a little �me� time at the Verbena spa or stimulate your mind at one of the areas many museums. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/do 8. Plan something new � Now that you�ve planned your first re-invigorating break in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast make sure that keep up the good work by continuing to look after yourself and spend more time with family and friends. 9. Go to the beach � Explore the rock pools at Filey Brigg or take a leisurely stroll along the sandy beach at Sandsend. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/discover-us for further information. 10. Share your thoughts � Share your new found knowledge about re-invigorating breaks in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast. Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com to send an e card today. These activities and much more in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast can be found at www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/beatbluemonday

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www.yorkshiretreasures.com/moorsandcoast - media site www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com � consumer site

Note to editors �Blue Monday� is the most depressing day of the year according to happiness and motivation expert, Cliff Arnall, formerly of Cardiff University. To help people beat the blues on Blue Monday, GREEN Communications have teamed up with the Samaritans and the Mental Health Foundation to raise a smile and valuable funds. The Mental Health Foundation (www.mentalhealth.org.uk) uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. Registered Charity No: (England & Wales) 801130: (Scotland) SC 039714. The Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership was established on April 1 2006 to provide services to the local tourism industry and to visitors to the area. Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, is investing �666,666 over four years to support the setting-up, management and project development of the partnership, which has been developed as part of the restructuring of the management of tourism in the region. The partners - Hambleton District Council, Ryedale District Council, Scarborough Borough Council, the North York Moors National Park Authority and North Yorkshire County Council - are working together to strengthen the services offered to visitors to the region, raise awareness of the region�s cultural and environmental assets and ensure that the Moors and Coast plays its part in increasing the level of tourism in this area of the region. The Partnership is managed by a Board made up of both Local Authority councillors and representatives from the local tourism sector. This will give local businesses an equal say in how services are provided.

The aims of the partnership are to: � Maximise economic impact through increasing the value of each visit, and encouraging additional visits particularly at shoulder and off-peak times � Maximise visitor satisfaction, before, during and after their visit � Increase business profitability through improvements to quality, skills and innovation � Ensure tourism is managed in a sustainable way that safeguards and enhances the environment and benefits the local communities

The Partnership�s website is www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com

More information:- Jo Skinner The Tourism Network The Old Mill, Millgate, Masham, HG4 4EZ Tel: 01765 688178/07908 200160