Bounce away the blues this month – as Oxygen York are opening its doors for free on Blue Monday.
Indoor trampoline and activity park Oxygen York are hosting free bouncing sessions on the ‘most depressing day of the year’, aka Blue Monday on 20 January.
It follows research that adventurous play has a positive impact on mental health – generating those much-needed endorphins to chase away the doom and gloom.
The third Monday of the year is in its 20th anniversary of being known as ‘Blue Monday’ – a day associated with feeling down thanks to the endless hours of darkness, dreary weather and post-Christmas deflation.
However, Oxygen are on a mission to turn frowns upside down and help people energise their minds, bodies and souls for free.
Oxygen York will host nine, hour-long sessions throughout the day, all completely free of charge. Families will be able to bounce, climb, leap and play to their heart’s content – with the interconnected trampolines, parkour area, inflatable park, interactive sports pitch with AirTrack, airbag jump and trapeze, baby and toddler soft play, and more.
There will also be extra special dances, activities, and games to take part in.
Recent studies led by Helen Dodd, Professor of Child Psychology at the University of Exeter, has revealed that adventurous play has a positive effect on children’s mental health, as well as benefit your mood and decrease signs of anxiety or depression.
Professor Helen Dodd said, “Our research shows that the more time children spend playing adventurously the fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression they have, and the happier they are.
“Our national survey data shows that for both school-aged children and for preschool-aged children, the most adventurous play happens in indoor play centres, such as trampoline and activity parks like Oxygen, as well as in green outdoor spaces.
“It is brilliant to see that Oxygen centres are offering free sessions, open to all, at a time of year when children and their parents might be feeling low and children might be in need of some adventurous play.”
To be in with the chance of securing tickets to the free sessions, parents must be signed up to the Oxygen mailing list prior to Sunday 12 January.
Exclusive booking links will be sent out on Monday 13 January, with all slots available to book on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit here to sign up to Oxygen’s mailing list and to find out more.