National Wellness Days for All

ended

European Week of Sport is an annual project organized concurrently, allowing interaction between citizens through sports and paving a way to a healthier life. Turkey became a part of this project as a program country for the first time. The citizens participated in these activities regardless of their age, gender or ethnic origin and they were encouraged to be healthier and fitter. In 2021, this project will reveal the power of sports once again by aiming to solve the problems caused by the pandemic through sports. In this year’s concept, outdoor activities will be held in 11 different cities within the 7 regions that were most affected by the pandemic and the citizens will also be encouraged to be active at their homes. Covid-19 pandemic is a major global health problem. This problem severely affected the lives of millions of people around the world and forced many of them to work from home. In a similar way, the schools also resorted to distance learning system. Research shows that people’s physical activity levels decreased and their time spent at home increased by 28% during this period. And this dragged people into a state of concern with regards to remaining at home and the decreased level of physical activity negatively impacts their physical and mental health. A sedentary lifestyle leads to diseases as dangerous as the virus. There are many benefits of physical activity, in addition to increased muscular strength it also provides mental happiness and morale. Engaging in sports also strengthens the immune system. This project is of great importance as it will improve the psychological and physical wellbeing of people through exercise and physical activity. National Wellness Days for All will surely give people physical activity and movement habits for the long term, not just for a week. Especially after the pandemic, this project will provide people with the awareness of being active for the rest of their lives even when they are at home.