Students from Department of English Language and Culture engaged in COIL on Good Health and Wellbeing Practices across Cultures at Constantine the Philosopher University on 25 April 2024. 

They explored various topics like Chinese Tai Chi, Icelandic Hot Springs (Geothermal Baths), Indian Ayurveda, Islamic Fasting (Sawm), Japanese Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku), Maasai Community Gathering, Maori Haka, Mediterranean Diet, Nordic Hygge. Their discussion led to fruitful conversations on experiences and opinions, highlighting benefits of these practices.

Are there common characteristics in these health and wellbeing practices across cultures?

• Trying to promote spiritual and physical health, relief body from stress

• Unity with the group, not individual

• Focuses on getting better

• Some of them you can do alone, more like a style

• Takes more time, focuses more on quality of life

Which one(s) of these health and wellbeing practices have you tried or would like to try? Why?

• Mediterranean diet - but with more meat than fish, health benefits - eczema got better 🐟 🥑🥜🫑🫒

• Nordic Hygge - good therapy for mental issues 🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️🐱🐶🐔🍵🪴

• Would like to try the Japanese forest bathing - relaxing, a good way of healing 🚵‍♂️🌳🌲🐝🐌

Many thanks go to professor Fella Benabed who led the workshop and students who brought their insights into this current topic, especially Alisa Eliovich and Anastasiia Vidiuk. 

We look forward to next COILS!

Diana Židová, Department of English Language and Culture, Faculty of Education, CPU in Nitra