YOUTH EXCHANGE KA152YOU
"Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Mentally. Embrace the Unknown." MENTAL COMFORT
Project Name: "Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Mentally: Embrace the Unknown." MENTAL COMFORT
Duration: From 1/03/2025 till 28/02/2026 (12 months)
Activity: Youth Exchange in Cyprus for 36 participants and 12 leaders + 2 stakeholders at Hylatio Tourist Village in Pissouri for learning how to improve your mental health and step out of the comfort zone mentally. www.hylatio.com.cy
Activity dates: 12 to 19 of October 2025 (8 days, including travelling dates)
Applicant Organisation: Active Cypriot Programs and European Learning Into Acceptance, ACPELIA, email: acpeliacy@gmail.com
Coordinator: Nikolas Nikolaou email: nicckolas44@gmail.com;
Facilitators: Aušrinė Jaruševičiūtė, Polyxeni Nikolaou, Boghos Avetikian
Age for participants: 15 - 19 years old
Topics: Mental Health, Comfort Zone, Physical activity importance.
Project topic:
Stepping beyond what feels safe, pushing boundaries, exploring new territories is like figuring out mental challenges and fears. In today's modern world, where convenience often keeps young people stuck. More and more they are realizing how important it's for personal growth to try and learn new things. Studies show that people are curious about what happens when they step into the unknown. Just as physical activity can make them feel better mentally, confronting unfamiliar situations can change the way young people see things and make them stronger internally. If youngsters don't know much about mental health, it's like they are not sure what's outside their comfort zone.
In addition, many people don't recognize the signs of their own problems, just as they may not know what lies beyond their familiar surroundings. But just as moving bodies can help to deal with stress and feel happier, taking on new challenges can make young people be braver and more able to deal with difficult times. When youngsters combine this exploration with other kinds of help, they can make really big changes in how they grow and see themselves.
Main Idea of the Project:
The main idea of the Youth Exchange Project "Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Mentally: Embrace the Unknown." is to encourage young people to challenge themselves and to try new things. The project aims to create a supportive environment where participants can push past their usual boundaries and explore unfamiliar territory. By stepping out of their comfort zones, youngsters will have the opportunity to grow personally and develop important life skills. By participating in a variety of activities, challenges, and exercises such as outdoor adventures, cultural exchanges, and teamwork exercises, participants will learn to embrace their doubts and adapt to new situations.
The Youth Exchange Project aims to empower young people to take risks, overcome fears, and discover their full potential. By stepping out of their comfort zones, participants will develop valuable skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and communication. The project also provides opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery, as youngsters learn more about themselves and what they are capable of achieving.
Key objectives:
- Raise mental health awareness through workshops and discussions.
- Encourage physical activity to enhance well-being.
- Build resilience by teaching coping strategies.
- Strengthen social connections to combat isolation.
- Develop leadership skills for mental health advocacy.
- Provide access to resources for mental health support.
- Promote holistic wellness across physical, emotional, and social health.
- Evaluate impact using feedback and behavior outcomes.
- Ensure diversity and inclusion for all participants.
- Encourage sustainability in mental health and physical activity practices.
Project activities include:
- Methods Used: Icebreakers, discussions, workshops, cultural exchanges, team-building, local visits, and reflection sessions—all aimed at stepping out of the comfort zone.
- Celebratory Events: Recognizing achievements in mental health advocacy.
- Physical Activity: Sports, fitness, and outdoor adventures for well-being.
- Educational Workshops: Mental health awareness, stress management, and resilience.
- Meditation & Breathing: Techniques for relaxation, focus, and stress reduction.
- Creative Expression: Art, music, and storytelling to explore emotions.
- Skill-Building Workshops: Coping strategies, relaxation, and mindfulness for stress management.
- Getting to know each other: Icebreakers and team-building for a comfortable, cross-cultural environment.
