Blue Skies Challenge: Beat the Workplace Blues This January

Could a fresh mindset transform your workdays?

Blue Monday, often branded as the “most depressing day of the year,” is about to get a makeover. The Agile Communications Agency is challenging this gloomy narrative with the Blue Skies Challenge, a free three-day event designed to bring positivity and productivity into workplaces across the UK.

Launching on Monday 20th January, this unique challenge invites professionals in PR, marketing, and communications to step away from stress and embrace fresh perspectives.

What to Expect from the Blue Skies Challenge

Running from 20th to 22nd January, participants can join live sessions each day from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, with time for a Q&A afterwards with Rachel Foster, founder of The Agile Communications Agency. The challenge promises practical support, including:

• Exclusive tools like the Task Sorbet to simplify workloads and boost productivity
• A chance to connect with like-minded professionals committed to positive change
• Strategies designed to create a ripple effect of workplace positivity, benefiting whole teams

Rachel Foster highlighted the importance of tackling workplace stress head-on, saying:

“Blue Monday might be a marketing myth, but the stress and pressure we all feel at work are very real. That’s why I’m so excited to host the Blue Skies Challenge – it’s a chance to let go of the overwhelm and start the year with a fresh mindset. Together, we’ll find practical, joyful ways to boost productivity and make workdays feel lighter and brighter – without the toxic positivity we see on social media at this time of year.”

The Rise of Workplace Stress

The Blue Skies Challenge comes at a crucial time, with recent reports showing worrying trends in workplace mental health:

• 91% of PR professionals experienced poor mental health last year
• Diagnosed mental health conditions have risen from 25% to 33%
• 29% rated their stress levels at 8-10 on a 10-point scale
• 58% identified overwhelming workloads as their top source of stress

These statistics, sourced from the latest CIPR and PRCA Mental Health Audit, highlight the growing pressures many professionals face.

How to Join the Challenge

The Blue Skies Challenge is open to everyone and completely free. If you can’t join the live sessions, on-demand access will be available so you can catch up at your convenience.

To sign up, visit the Agile Communications Academy’s website.

This initiative is part of the Agile Communications Academy and is supported by Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub Grants Programme, funded by the Good Growth Programme, which delivers the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

By taking part, you can turn Blue Monday into an opportunity for a fresh, productive start to the year.