Healthy Habits Project – Day 3: Mental Health, Creativity, and Cultural Exchange

The third day of the Healthy Habits project in Gijón, Spain, was dedicated to exploring the importance of mental health as a key component of a healthy lifestyle. Participants attended an interactive seminar led by the Hungarian team, where they discussed positive thinking, self-confidence, emotional well-being, and practical strategies for maintaining good mental health. Through discussions and group activities, participants reflected on how healthy habits, personal motivation, and supportive relationships contribute to a balanced and fulfilling life.

Building on the theoretical knowledge gained during the seminar, participants took part in a creative drama workshop coordinated by the Turkish team. The activity encouraged self-expression, imagination, and emotional awareness. Participants created fictional characters and imaginary animals that reflected aspects of their own personalities, helping them better understand themselves while developing their creativity and communication skills.

The second part of the drama activity focused on emotions and empathy. Working in international groups, participants transformed emotions such as happiness, stress, sadness, and anger into theatrical characters and short scenarios. Through role-playing and performance, they explored different emotional experiences, learned to express feelings in a constructive way, and strengthened their teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

Later in the day, participants collaborated on the creation of a digital video guide dedicated to mental health awareness. Led by the Latvian team, the activity encouraged participants to use photos, videos, and experiences gathered throughout the day to produce educational content. The videos highlighted practical recommendations for maintaining good mental health and promoted positive habits that young people can incorporate into their daily lives.

The day concluded with a reflection and evaluation session organized by the Belgian team. Through digital feedback forms and the interactive “Hot Chair” activity, participants shared their thoughts, learning outcomes, and personal experiences from the project. These activities encouraged open communication, self-reflection, and active participation while helping the organizers evaluate the impact of the project activities.

In the evening, participants celebrated cultural diversity through presentations and cultural stands coordinated by the Turkish team. Representatives from Spain, Latvia, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, and Hungary introduced their traditions, food, music, customs, and cultural heritage. This vibrant intercultural exchange strengthened mutual understanding, respect, and solidarity among participants, making the third day a meaningful combination of mental health education, creativity, reflection, and cultural learning.