CHAPTER 4:

LEISURE, RECREATION, AND WELLNESS

“Don’t drop out, drop in.Don’t cop out, compete.

Don’t exit, excel.”

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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

Introduction After reading this chapter, you should have knowledge about the

following:

1. The definition of leisure, recreation, and wellness

2. The evolution of recreation in society

3. The benefits of and potential barriers to recreation opportunities

4. How to become physically active

Leisure versus Recreation

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

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.”

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

Recreation is:

“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.”

Historical Development of Recreation: A Brief

Overview

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

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

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

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

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)

Modern Era (1950–Present) Fundamental changes in 1950s

+ 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

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?