Workshop for young people: Healthy lifestyle in the digital age

We communicate, learn, have fun and connect with them. But the digital world is often the reason why we spend less time in a lively society, move less often and find it more difficult to find a balance between free time, learning and rest. The purpose of our workshop is to delve into the issues of digital addiction together with young people and find practical ways to fill our free time with healthier and more fulfilling activities.

What will we start with?

The workshop is designed to be interactive, as our guideline is that young people actively co-create the process. In three hours we will:

• open a discussion about digital technologies – what advantages they bring us and where the disadvantages begin to appear (addiction, lack of concentration, sleep disturbances, a feeling of comparison with others, less live contact with peers),
• recognize our own habits – with the help of short exercises and reflections we will analyze how much time we spend on our phones each day and which applications take the most energy from us,
• explore healthy alternatives – sports, creativity, socializing in person, volunteering and other activities that strengthen us physically and mentally,
• try practical exercises for balance – relaxation techniques, planning time, setting boundaries when using technology.

Why join?

The workshop offers young people a space for a sincere exchange of experiences and feelings. Together we will seek answers to questions that concern almost everyone:

• How to find the right measure when using social networks?
• How to exit the digital world without feeling like we are missing out on something?
• What activities can help us reduce stress and improve our well-being?

Our goal is for young people to leave the workshop with the feeling that they have concrete tools in their hands that can help them in their everyday lives.

Working methods

The meeting will be held in a combination of group discussions, interactive exercises and practical challenges. We will place special emphasis on the experiences of the participants – everyone will have the opportunity to contribute their ideas and suggestions. At the end, we will prepare a personal action plan together, in which each participant will set at least one real change that they want to introduce into their everyday life (e.g. “I turn off my phone an hour before going to bed”, “I go to a sports activity with friends twice a week”, etc.).

What do you gain?

• a better understanding of your own digital habits,
• ideas for healthy and quality spending of your free time,
• practical tips on how to reduce addiction to social networks,
• new acquaintances and connections with peers who are facing similar challenges.

Digital technology in itself is not negative – problems arise when we give it too much space in our lives. With a few changes and awareness, we can achieve a balance in which technology serves us as a tool, not as a limitation. If you want to discover how to use your time in a healthier, more fun and creative way, join us at the workshop.

The EPEKA youth program is co-financed by: the Youth Office of the Republic of Slovenia, the Municipality of Maribor and Erasmus+.