Programme-Based Lifestyle Counselling in Hungary – Network, Protocol and Training

Several researchers emphasize the importance of individual choices in forming our lifestyle. At the same time they admit, that life chances, indicated for example by the environment of living, level of education or income, exercise a strong influence on the range of possibilities we can choose from. Choices are also influenced by rationality, tradition, social pressure or fashion. Making a choice alone could be very hard. There is a strong need for professionals who can help the individuals make the most healthy choice.

Since January, 2015., approximately 60 such professionals, called Lifestyle Counsellor Programme Assistants were trained in Hódmezővásárhely and Makó in Hungary, financed by grant TÁMOP-6.1.2-11/3-2012-0002, and grant TÁMOP-6.1.2-11/3-2012-0036. The aims of the programme-based lifestyle counselling training are to allow participants to analyse relevant elements of their lifestyle in terms of nutrition, leisure, social relationships and time management as an “umbrella”; to reinforce healthy lifestyle practices through own experience and to make them aware of actual risks; to strengthen their commitment to healthy lifestyle and show the possibilities of moving forward; carrying all this out among a positive group atmosphere. Complete fulfilment of the training aims were reflected by the participants’ feedback.

From among the lifestyle elements discussed, our presentation would focus on the “Leisure and health” module of the training. The module has content and methodology pillars. In content it focuses on the versatility of practiced and desired leisure time activities and the actual and needed experiences these activities can fulfil. Processing the content is carried out by revealing participants’ leisure status, and apply the newly acquired lifestyle elements to their own situation. Content and methodology is then integrated into counselling situations. Group work is promoted with the help of a manual and worksheets prepared by the sociologist and psychologist trainer professionals from the University of Szeged.