Benefits of Recreation

According to a recent ADAA online poll

(14 percent-regular exercise ) (18 percent-talking to friends or family) (17 percent-sleeping) (14 percent-watching movies or TV) (14 percent- eating ) (13 percent-listening to music).

ADAA poll takers who exercise

(29 percent-Walking) (20 percent- running ) (11 percent-yoga )

Mental Benefits of Outdoor Activities

A 2015 paper published in the journal _Cognitive Behavioral Therapy _explained that exercise is a good treatment for mental health because it does not come with side effects, as medication can, and also does not carry the stigma that attending therapy or taking medication still does in many communities. According to the paper's authors, exercise as a standalone treatment or augmenting other forms of mental health treatment can help people dealing with anxiety, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While you should not attempt to treat serious mental illness on your own, if you are anxious or have a mental illness it may be worth speaking to your doctor about exercising as part of your recommended treatment plan.

MEET FRIENDS - CREATE MEMORIES!

A child develops social skills, problem solving and creativity through early play experiences. The best opportunities are those that are planned and supervised. Physical activity is intellectually stimulating and enhances the learning process and the development of cognitive skills.

BUILD FAMILY UNITY.

Family bonds are improved by the sharing of leisure time. Families that recreate together tend to be closer, more cohesive and improve their chances of staying together. This is true with both parent-child relationships and married couples. Families are the cornerstone in promoting well-being and healthy development in children.

CURB EMPLOYEE ABSENTEEISM - BOOST EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY.

General Electric found that employees who exercised were absent from work 45% fewer days than those who didn't. Union Pacific Railroad found that their exercise programs helped employees to be more productive at work and achieve higher levels of concentration. Firms that provide for employee fitness and health programs experience decreased employee turnover.

Importance and Impact of Recreational Activities in the Educational Curriculum

Importance and Impact of Recreational Activities in the Educational Curriculum

ELIMINATE LONELINESS - CONQUER BOREDOM!

Land and water parks enhance the quality of life and contribute positively to the mental health of its citizens. Both mild and clinical depression can be reduced with activities such as water aerobics and swimming. "Active Living" is a concept that connects the mind, body and spirit in physical activity.

Physical Health

Maintaining lower body fat percentages, lowering blood and cholesterol levels, increasing muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, body composition and cardiovascular endurance. Overall it increases one's stamina and energy level resulting in more focus for academic activities besides also having an impact on one's class attendance and attention thus leading to more learning. And as we all know "health is wealth".

PROVIDE SPACE TO ENJOY NATURE - CLEAN AIR AND WATER.

Membership in environmental groups is soaring and a trend toward natural environment based recreation activities indicates strong emphasis and learning. Gardening is at an all-time high in popularity. Working with living plants, and seeing them grow and mature brings personal satisfaction and relaxation. Without increased amounts of natural habitat, forest lands, wetlands, cultural sites and recreation lands, the continued degradation of habitat will continue and undoubtedly lead to additional Endangered Species listings.

American Psychological Association

More people reported physical and emotional symptoms due to stress than they did in 2007, and nearly half reported that their stress has increased in the past year.

PROMOTE SENSITIVITY TO CULTURAL DIVERSITY.

Social interaction through recreation breaks down unfamiliarity, fear and isolation, factors associated with racism; and promotes positive contact between different ethnic groups and the broader community. The strength of a community is increased through recreation activities that allow people to share cultural and ethnic differences.

CONTROL WEIGHT, LOOK BETTER, AND BUILD STRONG BODIES.

Sports participants had significantly lower body mass index values, lower blood pressures, and lower resting pulse rates. The physically fit person is less prone to injury, and is less likely to experience depression.

Rituparna Devi

The Importance and Impact of Recreational Activities in the Educational Curriculum

OFFER PLACE FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION.

The social need for recreation has been identified as a men's for community involvement and an expression of citizenship. A sense of community and social contact is fostered in order to combat urban social problems like loneliness and isolation.

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

Trees help deal with the serious pollution problem caused by the use of fossil fuels. Clean water is essential for the protection of humans and animals.

INCREASE TOURISM.

Two of the fastest growing segments of tourism are festival and event driven tourism. A recent study indicates the fondest memories people have of their past tend to involve family outings and vacations.

BOOST ECONOMY - REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT!

When choosing business sites, employers strongly consider the quality of life provided by an area's Parks, Recreation and Cultural programs.

BUILD SELF-ESTEEM.

When young people feel good about themselves they operate more effectively and productively in our communities, families and schools. Adventure programs teach the importance of trust, appropriate risk taking, supportive social interaction and personal challenge while creating valuable life long memories. Leaders are trained, developed and nurtured through leisure organizations such as teen clubs, camps and programs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests

adults perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of intense activity every week, ideally spread out over the course of the week rather than all at once

five minutes of aerobic exercise

Can stimulate anti-anxiety effects

DIMINISH CHANCE OF DISEASE - DECREASE INSURANCE PREMIUMS - LIVE LONGER!

Childhood participation in organized fitness and sports programs helps attain higher bone density establishing a strong health base to combat osteoporosis in later life.

INCREASE COMMUNITY PRIDE - STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT.

Community pride is generated through leisure and park facilities. When communities compare themselves to one another, eager to improve, they almost always evaluate their levels of open space, recreation facilities, and leisure program development.

Regular participation in aerobic exercise

Decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem.

Social Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Participating in sports and recreation provides everyone from young kids to seniors with an opportunity to meet and build relationships with others. Participating on a team will help you to form lasting friendships with people who share your passion for outdoor recreation.

Improved Quality of Life

People who make recreation a priority are more likely to feel satisfied with their lives overall, according to an American Recreation Coalition Study, 2000. Recreational activities help create a balance between academic pressures with physical and mental well-being.

According to Harvard Health Publishing

Physical activity helps reduce stress and prevents some cases of depression. Exercise reduces anxiety, and consistent activity provides more relief for anxiety and depression. Better self-esteem often results from consistent recreation, partially due to a decrease in stress and to the overall feeling of well-being that occurs from regular aerobic exercise.

Tina Pashley

Physical, Social, Emotional and Intellectual Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS.

Physically active older people typically benefit from lower blood pressure, increased muscle strength, joint flexibility, and lower total cholesterol levels than do less active people. Leisure activities can provide for the creation of new social relationships for seniors after the loss of a loved one.

REDUCE STRESS - RELAX!

Positive and enjoyable recreation experiences can decrease stress and psychological tensions. Leisure activities provide people with the opportunity to expel energy and emotion not being released in other aspects of their lives. Psychologists found that activities such as a walk in the woods gave a boost to the immune system that lasted two or three days. Each additional mile walked or run by a sedentary person would give him or her an extra 21 minutes of life. According to the Gallup Poll for American Health, Americans who exercised regularly were 2.5 times more likely to report that they were happier than Americans who didn't exercise at all.

ENHANCE RELATIONSHIP SKILLS - TEACH VITAL LIFE SKILLS.

Positive conflict resolution is a skill which can be applied all lifelong. Appropriate risk taking, and a healthy sense of competition and sportsmanship can substitute for violent confrontation related to gang activity.

BE HAPPIER - FEEL GREAT!

Practiced in clinical, residential and community settings, the profession of therapeutic recreation uses treatment, education, and recreation services to help people with illnesses, disabilities and other conditions to develop and use their leisure to enhance their health, independence and well-being.

REDUCE CRIME, DIMINISH GANG VIOLENCE, PROVIDE SAFE PLACES TO PLAY

REDUCE CRIME, DIMINISH GANG VIOLENCE, PROVIDE SAFE PLACES TO PLAY

TAKE CARE OF LATCH KEY CHILDREN - EDUCATE CHILDREN AND ADULTS - PROVIDE CHILD CARE.

Recent studies show disturbing trends about children who regularly come home to an empty house: higher than average dropout rate, drug abuse, truancy and depression.

Mental Health

Recreational activities help manage stress. It provides a chance to nurture oneself and provides a sense of balance and self-esteem, which can directly reduce anxiety and depression.

Sleep Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Research shows that people who exercise regularly experience longer, deeper, more restful sleep.

Students that engage in outdoor activities are

• More enthusiastic to learn • It helps in building communication skills and team building • It also helps in boosting memory • It also helps in moral development • Enhances peer relationships and interpersonal skills.