Leisure and recreational activities are pastime engagements freely chosen in order to add value to one’s life (Palen, 2008). In general, involvement in leisure and recreation has a great positive impact on the overall quality of the life of a person. In a study by McLean, Hurd, and Rogers (2007), they established that being involved in the leisure and recreational activities gives a person a great feeling of control over his or her life. In order to live a balanced life, therefore, it is absolutely necessary for people to be actively involved in the leisure and recreational activities. Leisure and recreational activities are also very useful in helping people with mental disorders cope with the challenges they encounter in life. Common leisure activities include walking in the park, playing golf, swimming, or cycling. Although there are numerous rewards that are associated with leisure and recreational activities, it is alleged that most people are not actively involved. This paper discusses the impact of leisure and recreational activities on the mental health of people.
Research findings indicate that mental illness problems are a common occurrence in all cultures across the world. It is estimated that mental disorders will account for about 15% of the total number of diseases in the world by 2020 (Iwasaki, Coyle & Shank, 2010). Although efforts have been made to deal with illnesses related to mental disorders, not much has been achieved. Just like any other person, people with mental disorders wish for a fulfilling life. To a very large extent, efforts to ensure the well-being of individuals have mainly focused on providing decent housing and elaborate social support. While this is important and makes people with mental illness problems feel a part of the community to which they belong, it is not sufficient. According to Morgan (2013), encouraging individuals with mental disorders to be actively involved in leisure and recreation activities is extremely essential in ensuring a quick recovery. Arguably, involvement in leisure and recreational activities provides a strong feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that can serve as a good outlet for discharging emotional drives that, if introverted, might lead to mental disorders. Even though active participation in leisure and recreational activities can also be fun and enjoyable, it is advisable for individuals to focus on the health advantages of the activities (Gartner & Lime, 2000).
People with serious mental illnesses can take advantage of leisure and recreation activities to improve their health and enjoy a balanced life. In general, most leisure and recreational activities compel individuals to exercise their bodies and this ensures that their muscles are active (Morgan & Goldston, 2013). This in turn leads to improved cardiovascular health and the general well-being of a person. As reported in some research studies, leisure and recreational activities are especially integral to the mental health of elderly people. They play an important role in ensuring that elderly people enjoy a meaningful life (Lahey, 2013). Popular leisure and recreational activities include swimming, taking a walk in a park, cycling, and dancing. To draw maximum benefit from taking part in these activities, they should be done regularly. It is not prudent to take extended breaks in between activities. Research also indicates that active involvement in leisure and recreation helps to reduce stress levels and to create a balanced lifestyle.
The ability of leisure and recreation activities to promote quality life among individuals with mental illnesses can not be undervalued. Research findings indicate that a very significant connection exists between recreational activities and the recovery of people with mental disorders (Iwasaki, Coyle & Shank, 2010). Usually, individuals with mental illnesses who actively involve themselves in leisure and recreational activities make better progress during the recovery process unlike those not involved in such activities. Arguably, leisure and recreational activities are necessary elements for satisfying the highest levels of need in Maslow’s hierarchy (Freire, 2012). In his writing, Maslow stressed the need for individuals to be more spontaneous and creative and to find fulfillment in a variety of expressive activities. Ostensibly, people with serious mental illnesses have a problem selecting appropriate leisure or recreational activities and may need assistance time and again to do so. This is particularly useful if the person being helped is used to having such choices made for him or her. Without a doubt, this ensures that interested individuals can find an appropriate activity without struggling.
Investing in healthy relationships also plays an important role in promoting good mental health. According to some researchers, social recreation is vital when dealing with mental disorders (Morgan, 2013). There is a very high possibility that long life is a result of having healthy relationships with other people. Certainly, recreational activities provide a great opportunity for people to meet and interact. Recreational activities such as playing golf and watching movies typically involve more than one person and this presents a good environment for building and maintaining friendships. Through social leisure and recreational activities, it is possible for people with serious mental illness problems to meet with others who may be suffering from similar conditions (Broadhurst, 2002). By interacting with those going through similar challenges, people with mental illnesses get convinced that they are not alone. In the process of intermingling with one another, people with mental illness problems get to exchange ideas on how they can overcome their health problems. Undoubtedly, this serves to improve their self-confidence. Palen (2008) discovered that outdoor leisure and recreation activities such as walking and cycling play a big role in promoting quality life among individuals with mental disorders. Social leisure and recreational activities also give families a reason to socialize outside their homes and to possibly meet and interact with members of other families. A study by Iwasaki, Coyle, and Shank (2010) also revealed that individuals with mental illnesses who took part in charity activities organized by members of their respective communities enjoyed a healthy and well-balanced life. It is thus advisable to include such activities as part of what should be done by people with mental disorders as they work toward their recovery.
According to Jenkins and Pigram (2004), social and mental processes required for both leisure and recreational activities are believed to help individuals with mental illnesses to maintain a healthy mind. It is, however, important to counsel individuals with mental illnesses on how to take advantage of leisure and recreation activities to improve the overall quality of their lives. Drawing on the ideas of Sivan and Ruskin (2000), leisure counseling has a great potential to have a positive impact on mental health. In the same way, service providers whose goal is to contribute to the well-being of individuals with mental illnesses should be advised on the best strategies to follow while assisting their clients (Lahey, 2013). Considering that offering counseling on how to benefit from leisure and recreational activities has an impact on mental health, deliberate efforts should be made to provide counseling sessions as a means of promoting successful adjustment for individuals with mental disorders on their way to recovery. As pointed out earlier, leisure and recreational activities also aid in dealing with stress and depression and this is helpful in promoting good mental health (Morgan, 2013). Consequently, participating in leisure and recreation creates a sense of fulfillment that is very vital for maintaining a balanced life.
Clearly, leisure and recreational activities are a central part of our lives and should not be ignored. Considering the accompanying benefits, efforts must be made to encourage people with mental illnesses to be actively involved in order to improve their well-being. For maximum benefits, however, it is imperative for individuals with serious mental disorders as well as their caregivers to be well educated on the subject. Ostensibly, few people recognize the role of leisure and recreation in helping individuals deal with stress and the different challenges that life presents. It is thus very important to educate people with mental disorders and everyone else on the importance of leisure and recreational activities. Every person should be made to understand how to be involved in a way that leads to maximum rewards. If used properly, leisure and recreational activities can lead to faster recovery for individuals with mental illnesses. Efforts should also be made to provide guidance on how people can benefit from taking part in leisure and recreational activities.
References
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Freire, T. (2012). Positive Leisure Science: From Subjective Experience to Social Contexts. New York: Springer.
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Iwasaki, Y., Coyle, C. P. & Shank, J. W. (2010). Leisure as a Context for Active Living, Recovery, Health and Life Quality for Persons with Mental Illness in a Global Context. Health Promotion International, 25(4), 483 – 494.
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