Leisure_and_Recreation_and_Its_Impact_on_Mental_Health

Have Leisure and Recreation any Impact on Mental Health' Leisure is difficult to accurately define as it can mean something to each individual. It can generally be defined as “some measure of time from which a person is released from those responsibilities which normally or routinely pertain to the duties they are compelled to perform.” ‘Leisure’ is often used as an expression referring to the periods of time in which a person is freed from paid work at a job. However, leisure can also include the times an individual is free from other compulsory, but unpaid duties, such as child care, home or other maintenance, or personal obligations and matters. It is therefore important to note that leisure definitions can really only be established once the element of choice is applied. This means either an activity or non activity differing from a person’s normal, structured routine. An element of satisfaction is also vital to include when defining leisure and recreation, by way of some attribute that the individual finds enjoyable. ‘Recreation’ is usually used to describe more active leisure pursuits. In essence, leisure and recreation involve making choices about personal free time activities. McDonnell and Hardman [2010] recognise that ‘leisure and recreation is not only difficult to define as it varies according to the individual, it is also difficult to assign to a certain ‘category’ as the definitions change over time.’ They state that, for example, ‘the current rampant technological pastimes of web surfing, interactive gaming, and internet chat were non-existent in past decades and were preceded by other forms of entertainment’. Different generations will have differing views of leisure and recreation due to the resources and services that were available to them at the time. This essay will focus on leisure and recreation and its impact on and individual’s mental health. The National Community Advisory Group on Mental Health [1994] defined mental health care problems as: "Problems associated with mental illness which if not addressed result in severe disadvantage, continued dependence on mental health treatment and crisis services, and which severely curtail the ability of the individual to live independently in the community to their fullest potential. The problem and the need associated with the problem are understood by reference not only to diagnosis, but also to diagnosis in the context of impact on life circumstances. Problems associated with behavioural and/or personality disorders fall within this definition [p.10]". In contrast, within a clinical context, mental illness can be defined as a clinically recognisable set of symptoms [relating to mood, thought, or cognition] or behaviour that is associated with distress and interference with functions [that is, impairments leading to activity limitations or participation restrictions]. The influence of leisure on an individual’s physical and mental health is a relationship that is of greatest importance to leisure scholars. Some leisure activities e.g. jogging, swimming, dance, are undertaken purely for health reason. Certain leisure aspects experienced in these activities e.g. self determination and relaxation, are believed to have the capacity to enhance health. The contribution of leisure based physical activity to health has been clearly demonstrated. While regular participation in sessions of aerobically stimulating physical leisure activities of sufficient duration has been demonstrated to enhance physical health, many leisure activities also involve mental processes primarily e.g. social interactions and reading. The mental activities include perceptiveness, recall, problem-solving and creativity. Most leisure activities also involve social interaction. Social and mental processes required for these activities are believed to maintain a healthy mind. When we hear the words ‘leisure’ and ‘recreation’, all of us have different images in our minds. Torkildsen [2005] notes that some of these might include holidaying by ourselves, with friends or with family, watching the kids bucket and spade in hand making sandcastles, sitting by the pool sipping on cocktails, picnicking in the park or out in the country side, reading a newspaper or a novel, feet up, domestic chores completed, cosy and warm, or just meditating and day dreaming. These are images of freedom from constraints and obligations, away from the unrelenting pressures life presents. Leisure and recreation is not limited to just these activities, it can also include: being entertained at a rock concert or rock festival, meeting up with friends, participating in hobbies e.g. gardening, playing sports, coaching sports, line dancing, singing in the choir, doing voluntary work and raising money for a charity. Recreation and leisure are important to overall individual quality of life. The recreation literature is filled with acknowledgments of this reality. The ‘quality of life’ approach to recreation and leisure has been used since the 1950s. This approach ‘sees recreation as an experience that contributes to human development and to community well-being in various ways, such as: improving physical and mental health, enriching cultural life, reducing antisocial uses of leisure, and strengthening community ties’. The quality of life approach emphasises concepts such as self choice, freedom, and pleasure as the most meaningful benefits of recreation and leisure. Using the quality of life framework, recreation should be engaged in for its own sake, because of the value it brings to the individual. McLean, Hurd and Rogers [2008] state that millions of people who function within a presumable normal range of behaviour tend to suffer from tension, boredom, stress, frustration and an inability to use their leisure in satisfying ways. The feeling of engagement and control over one’s life that may be achieved in leisure is critical to sound mental health. Iso-Ahola and Weissinger state that ‘many psychologists base their treatment on this principle – seeking to help patients develop freedom and control in their lives, as well as the kind of engagement with others in leisure that contributes to psychological well-being’. Leisure activity can provide strong feelings of pleasure and satisfaction and can serve as an outlet for discharging certain emotional drives that if repressed, might produce emotional distress or even mental illness [McLean, Hurd, Rogers, 2008]. The role of pleasure is increasingly recognised as a vital factor in emotional well being. Some researchers have begun to analyse the simple concept of fun, defined as intense pleasure and enjoyment and an important dimension of social interactional leisure. In a review of studies on the ‘Anatomy of Joy’, Angier reports that ‘scientists are finding that sensations such as optimism, curiosity and rapture not only make life worth living, but also make life last longer’. Recreation therapists are involved in planning and implementing recreational and leisure time activities and education for patients. These activities might include organised sports such as basketball and softball, or independent projects, such as hobbies and crafts. McDonnell and Hardman [2010] note that ‘these activities are designed to develop, restore, or maintain the emotional, cognitive, and physical behaviours that are necessary for leisure and social involvement. Comprehensive leisure and recreation programs allow educators to provide their participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in healthy living, proper nutrition and regular exercise.’ Effective leisure programs also provide students with opportunities to gain awareness of a variety of leisure activities, develop leisure skills, develop and improve social skills, increase self determination and improve mental and physical health [McDonnell and Hardman, 2010] Torkildsen [2005] recognises that we have more knowledge, more resources and more opportunity than before, in which to have a fullness of living. Leisure and recreation continues to grow and develop all around the world. Today, people of all ages demand choice and have higher expectations for healthier lifestyles, quality services, more facilities and better customer service and management. Holland [2002] emphasises that recreation and leisure is vital for improving and maintaining an individual’s positive mental health. Participating in activities [or non activities] that have an element of pleasure and satisfaction has been proven to a positive impact on the mental health of humans. Angier states that ‘euphoria unrelated to any ingested substance is good for the body, that laughter is protective against the corrosive impact of stress and that joyful people outlived their bilious, whining counterparts’. Reference List Brightbill, C.K. [1973] Man and Leisure: A Philosophy of Recreation. Greenwood Publishing Group. Department of Health and Ageing [2005] Homelessness and Mental Health Linkages: Review of National and International Literature. 1.3 Definition of mental illness. Retrieved on the 27th April, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental- homeless-toc~mental-homel ess-1~mental-homeless-1-3. Fagan, T. J., Ax, R. K. [2003] Correctional Mental Health Handbook. Sage Publications, Inc: Thousand Oaks: California Holland, J. W. [2002] Black Recreation: A Historical Paper. Burnham Inc, Publishers: Chicago, Illinois, United states of America. Jenkins, J., Pigram, J. [2003] Encyclopaedia of Leisure and Outdoor Recreation. Routledge: London, England. McDonnell, J., Hardman, M. [2010]. Successful Transition Programs: Pathways for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, California, United states of America. McLean, D., Hurd, A., Rogers, N. [2008]. Kraus’ Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society. Jones and Bartlett Publishers: Sudbury, Massachusetts, United states of America. Torkildsen, G. [2005] Leisure and Recreation Management. Routledge: New York, New York, United States of America.