Leisure and Health

Mental, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual health refers to overall psychological well-being. It includes the way we feel about ourselves, the quality of our relationships, and our ability to manage our feelings and deal with difficulties. Efforts to help people feel a part of their communities and have a good quality of life usually focus on helping them get decent housing, meaningful employment, education, and health care, as well as fostering self-determination and social support. However, recreational and leisure activities may also be central to feeling connected to community life. Diminished participation in leisure and recreation severely hampers a person's opportunity to acquire a positive self- concept and important social and interpersonal skills. Further, limited, or negative leisure experiences decrease chances for the formation of meaningful relationships. Leisure time plays an integral role in young people’s individual development and the development of their communities. Improving our emotional health can be a rewarding experience, benefiting all aspects of our life, including boosting our mood, building resilience, and adding to our overall enjoyment of life.