1. CHAPTER 4: LEISURE, RECREATION, AND WELLNESS
“Don’t drop out, drop in.
Don’t cop out, compete.
Don’t exit, excel.”
Pierre Elliott Trudeau

2. Contents Leisure versus Recreation
Historical Development of Recreation: A Brief Overview
Benefits of Recreation
Factors Affecting Our Recreational Interests and Pursuits
Barriers to Recreation and Leisure
Health and Wellness

3. Introduction
After reading this chapter, you should have knowledge about the following:
The definition of leisure, recreation, and wellness
The evolution of recreation in society
The benefits of and potential barriers to recreation opportunities
How to become physically active

4. Leisure versus Recreation

5. Leisure Free time that can be spent as you see fit
Activities making up your unstructured free time
Many different possibilities
Not necessarily planned use of time,
but not necessarily wasted time
Body’s chance to rejuvenate itself

6. Leisure is: “time when one is free to relax and do as one wishes.”
“freedom from time-consuming duties, responsibilities, or activities.”
“the time when you are not working or doing other duties.”
“time spent in or free for relaxation or enjoyment.”

7. Recreation Participation in an activity that you enjoy
An activity that will improve us or restore us in some way
E.g., playing sports, watching TV, downloading music, or playing video games, cooking and baking, gardening

8. Recreation is “an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates.”
“the refreshment of one’s mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates.”
Recreation is “refreshment of the strength and spirits after toil; amusement; diversion; sport; pastime.”
Recreation is “an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates.”

9. Historical Development of Recreation: A Brief Overview

10. Renaissance Period (1350–1600)
Upper-class
Painting, music, literature, science, and education
Well-educated man could ride, fence, dance, and paint
Great cultural movement in the arts and education

11. Reformation Period (1500s–1600s)
Protestant work ethic introduced to colonial America
Recreation and leisure were earned through daily hard work
“Work before play”
Ample time for recreation and leisure = lazy and a loafer

12. Industrial Revolution (1700–1900)
Working-class
No time or energy
Few leisure opportunities
Visiting the taverns or pubs
Middle class
Modeled upper class
Playing the piano, singing, and drama
Upper class
Enjoyed many forms of recreation
Bird watching, fishing, cricket, polo, and hunting

13. Roaring 20s People began to recognize the need to enjoy leisure time
Hard work followed by deserved recreation and leisure
Touring in the newly invented automobile
The Charleston in illegal after-hours clubs
Jazz
Gambling

14. Depression Years (1929–1945) Recreation became less formal
People came together
Played their musical instruments
Had picnics at the local beaches
Went swimming
Conducted square dances
Made ice cream were the norm
Big bands and swing music were popular
Attending the movie theatres (with sound)

15. Modern Era (1950–Present) Fundamental changes in 1950s Present
+ Middle-class citizens had extra money for fun and leisure
+ Finish work each evening with leisure activities
+ Faster transportation = travel
+ Early retirement and enjoyment
+ Municipal multipurpose recreational facilities
- Technological advancements took over for PA
Present
Although technology can provide hours of recreation, it does not necessarily promote a healthy and active lifestyle

16. Recent Developments
Shift in recreation priorities from working long hours
Family recreational activities are on the rise
More family time
Adapted programs and facilities
Parents spend time on children’s recreation
Adult sports leagues, golf, skiing, and
fitness memberships
Do we live to work or do we work to live?

17. Benefits of Recreation

18. Beyond the Physical
Physical activity and recreation are embedded in a more holistic perspective on health

19. Personal Benefits Promotes physical fitness and active living
Develops fine and gross motor skills
Improves self-confidence
Gives a more positive outlook on life
Decreases stress
Creates a more positive self-image
Provides the opportunity to learn new skills
Improves problem solving, tolerance of others, and leadership
Promotes spiritual growth
Gives opportunity to take calculated risks
Allows to set short-term and long-term goals

20. Social Benefits Provides opportunities to develop friendships
Improves social skills
Reduces feelings of alienation
Introduces new learning environments
Promotes sharing, nurturing, and understanding of others
Builds strong family ties
Promotes ethnic and cultural harmony
Improves group development

21. Economic Benefits Lowers medical costs Lowers job absenteeism
Increases job stability and productivity
Spurs economic growth
Builds a sense of community
Decreases crime and vandalism
Boosts tourism

22. Environmental Benefits
Protects and preserves environmentally sensitive areas
Results in cleaner, well-maintained facilities
Preserves cultural and historical sites
Increases awareness in environmental issues
Improves community image

23. Factors Affecting Our Recreational Interests and Pursuits

24. Early Educational Experiences
We are introduced to recreation early in our lives
We learn that we can make choices when it comes to our participation
We begin to feel the benefits of recreation

25. Family Influences
Traditional family attitudes and actions send strong messages
Parents that value physical activity introduce their children to sports
From early introductions, we can modify our activities as we grow
We can move on to a more challenging level

26. Social (Peer) Influences
As we continue to grow our recreational pursuits become increasingly influenced by our peers
Important to choose our friends wisely
Social interaction is one of the most
compelling reasons for PA

27. Cultural Influences
Views about recreation are understood differently across cultures
Different cultures can encourage or forbid certain forms of recreation (e.g., dancing)
North America
Much more sedentary culture
Children participate in the sports
that their families can afford
Skiing and golf are expensive activities
Soccer and basketball are affordable

28. Media and Other Influences
Commercialization of sport and PA
Distorted interpretations of what it means to be healthy
(e.g., body image)
Drug abuse, eating disorders, and a host of other
mental and physical problems
It should be more about finding out who you are
Some advertisers and certain forms of media
are slowly realizing this

29. Barriers to Recreation and Leisure Pursuits

30. Economic Factors
High program registration fees, equipment costs, and transportation issues
However, recreation doesn’t need to be expensive
Walking
Skating
Swimming
Public hiking trails
Tennis or basketball at the community courts

31. Perceived Lack of Necessary Physical and Social Skills
If I can’t do something well, then I shouldn’t do it at all – NOT TRUE
Just because you don’t think you are a “natural” at a particular activity doesn’t mean you can’t do it
“Try, try again”
It’s fun to try new things!

32. Time Constraints Issue for families with working parents
Time conflicts
Too much like work and not enough like fun
A popular excuse that the activity will take too long to commit to
You can always make time for things that are important

33. Work and Family Commitments
It is possible to accommodate both job and family
An active workforce is a productive workforce
Family activities
Bike riding
Bowling
Playing Frisbee

34. Other Constraints Lack of motivation, poor self-image Age and gender
Lack of facilities
Lack of participants
Lack of available resources
Physical or mental challenges
User fees
Time of occurrence
Equipment and supplies
Quality of facility maintenance
Overcrowding
Location

35. Health and Wellness

36. Definitions
Health
“The capacity to lead a satisfying life, fulfill ambitions, and accommodate to change”
Ever-changing process of trying to achieve one’s individual potential
Wellness
The combination of health and happiness
Achieving balance in one’s mental, physical, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual life

37. Wellness Is:
“an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence.”
“the personal experience of physical and mental health – measurement is self-reported health status.”
“the concept of practicing all the things which keep one well. It involves maintaining good nutrition, exercise, stress-control and good personal and familial social relationships.”
“a dynamic state of health in which an individual progresses towards a higher level of functioning, achieving an optimum balance between internal and external environments.”

38. Dimensions

39. Get Moving for Better Health
Only 37 percent of Canadians are physically active! Inactive individuals leave themselves at risk for future health problems, including the following:
Did you know that you should participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day? You should try to mix cardio, endurance, flexibility, and strength exercises.
Obesity Heart disease High blood pressure
High cholesterol Diabetes Stroke
Depression Premature death

40. How Can I Become More Active?
Take calculated risks and set reasonable goals for yourself
Find a friend to participate with you
Start out doing just a little each day
Build on your successes
Choose 10-min activities daily
Incorporate:
Taking stairs instead of an elevator or escalator
Get off the bus a few blocks before your destination
Walk to a friend’s house instead of driving