Psychological Balance with the Rhythm of Nature: Cyclical Living Workshop Held at Üsküdar University Spot

The Üsküdar University Positive Psychology Club successfully held a training and workshop titled “Cyclical Living and Psychological Balance,” aimed at helping young people build a stronger connection both with nature and with their own inner worlds. Grounded in ecopsychology and positive psychology, the program centered on the parallels between nature’s cycles of renewal, balance and change and human emotional processes.

Throughout the event, participants experienced the healing effect of nature and took part in hands-on exercises on coping with stress, building emotional resilience and maintaining inner balance. In line with scientific ecopsychology approaches, it was emphasized that contact with nature reduces anxiety levels, increases emotional awareness and strengthens psychological resilience.

The “Recognizing Cycles,” “Emotion Cycle Map,” “Starting Over” and especially “Terrarium Experience” workshops held as part of the program offered participants a learning space that was both symbolic and experiential. By making balance and sustainability in nature tangible, the terrarium activity contributed to the development of patience, attention and self-awareness skills.

Along with the academic contributions of Asst. Prof. Dr. Fatma Turan, the event featured Hatice Gökağaç, İrfan Önder and Mehmet Yıldırım Gündüz from the Lets Do It Türkiye Association, as well as Specialist Psychologist Şevin Çoğaç and Specialist Psychologist Sümeyye Saroğlu from the Haydi Tut Elimi Association, who shared their knowledge and experience with participants. The guests’ presentations offered a strong perspective that carried theoretical knowledge into the field.

Planned in line with the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ “Youth, Health and Sports” policy area, the event addressed young people’s physical, mental and social well-being with a holistic approach. By the end of the event, participants had experienced firsthand the psychological effects of their connection with nature, while gaining lasting benefits in sustainable living, environmental awareness and emotional awareness. With the terrariums and emotion cycle maps created, the project outputs took on the character of an awareness-sharing initiative.