Leisure and Well-being
Leisure activities and unoccupied time and relaxation, free and away from business and work, are foreign to our busy, modern-day families. However, studies show that mutual leisure interests and activities are important to the cohesiveness of the modern family. These activities yield positive results in family communication and overall social interaction. These positive effects create harmony and happiness within our families.
Participation in leisure activities also assists in the following:
Stress reduction and improved mental well-being
Overall well-being with positive effects on the physical and emotional selves.
Help with social and family isolation.
Increased endurance and more energy.
Enhanced skills with physical participation.
Increased feelings of self-confidence, as well as confidence in the family system as a whole.
Therapeutic Recreation
Family members must recognize the need for personal and family leisure activities and schedule these activities into their lives. Therapeutic recreation describes an activity that is designed to promote health and wellness and increase one’s functionality. These same activities can be used to promote health and well-being in your family.
The quality of family relationships increases with group unity. For example, family members communicate more with each other on a short hike or walk than when centered around the television. The intimacy of communication is also enhanced.
Outdoor Recreation
Families turn more to outdoor activities than any other type of activity for total family participation. The natural environment invites families to explore common interests while creating connections between family members and nature. Also, outdoor activities usually include planning and travel, which reinforces the family unit as a whole. Outdoor recreation often removes the family from its normal world which intensifies the interaction. Outdoor recreation sometimes calls for spontaneity. This type of interaction can be refreshing not only for the family, but for the parent who lacks spontaneity.
As the imbalance of work and family increases, we must evaluate the leisure activities we are missing. Laughter has a positive effect on our mental and physical well-being. Encouraging laughter through fun family activities is rewarding. When families spend free time away from work they are rewarded with harmonious family relationships, enjoyment of leisure time, and a sense of renewed energy.
A study by Wylie (1953, p. 24) indicates that outdoor recreation may play a more important role in leisure satisfaction than any other type of leisure activity. He notes that 69 percent of families who participated in his study felt they had achieved greater family unity.
Participation in leisure activities helps with our overall well-being. Leisure activities often reduce stress, help overcome feelings of social isolation within your family, increase confidence, as well as enhance skills and physical endurance.
Leisure activities are found in many forms such as civic clubs, volunteering, fishing, cooking, and dancing. Passive leisure activities include reading, writing, and crafts. Active forms of leisure activities include team sports, gardening, hunting, golf, bowling, and travel. Using leisure activities to bring your family together is not a new concept. However, in order to be effective, you should schedule and make specific plans.
We encourage you to find an activity for your family to enjoy. Adding quality family time will chase away blues and increase family function.
Ref:
Wylie, J. A. 1953. A survey of 504 families.... Research Quarterly. 24 (1953): 229-243.
For more information, please see the FamilyIQ courses, Family Systems and Holding a Family Council, and the FamilyIQ test, Family Closeness Test: Are We Having Fun Yet?
