Topic
Name
Institution
Introduction2.1. What is leisure?
Leisure is the time when an individual is free from work and can do things that one enjoys; Leisure is an essential part of our lives. Freedom from the demands of work duty, leisure activities enable us gain freedom, control, and creativity. Leisure also plays an integral part in skill development, friendships and self-confidence building. It helps us enjoy new experiences, challenges and new adventures, sometimes people use this period to express themselves and render their existence meaningful. However, failure to understand the real meaning of leisure is the first way of making the wrong choice.
Leisure can be considered in three ways; leisure time-freedom from obligation, workpaid or unpaid and duties required for existence i.e. sleeping and eating. Leisure activities-activities that are not work oriented or that do not involve life maintenance tasks such as housecleaning or sleeping. Leisure as state of mind-this is more subjective in that it considers an individual perception of an activity. Therefore, as it is, individuals have to understand means through which they can beneficial participate in doing activities that matters
to the benefits of their lives rather than engaging in poor lifestyle such drinking too much alcohol, substance abuse as well as prostitution.
2.2. Why is leisure important to individuals and the society?
There is lot of benefits that is associated with leisure activities, as an important part of development, it Enhance Immune system -physical activities such as running can help prevent or maintain control In some chronic illnesses, physical activity can help In general life longevity .flexibility improvement-leisure activities such as stretching, swimming also dancing movements assists in stretching muscles hence improve flexibility.
Leisure activities increase Memory activities which is important in quick problems in everyday activities. Word searches and games will challenge your mental capabilities and improve your problem solving techniques. Improved quality sleep-engaging in more activities during the day, helps create a more restful night’s sleep. In addition, it also Reduces stress-most of the activities I enjoy doing relieve my stress, activities such as cooking and baking, vigorous exercises, singing 6-Improve self-esteem-leisure activities create social opportunities through encounter with other individuals hence improve self-esteem. I my leisure time, I enjoy doing a lot of cooking and baking. Sometimes I try recipes that have been wanting to try making something new and yummy. In addition, sometimes I do engage in my home fitness, physical fitness is important in body development, burning much calories formed in the body-turning my favorite song and dance freely-reorganize rooms in my home-playing card games-attending concerts-dining out.
My Travel behavior changed during the pandemic, going out self-restriction which has made some leisure activities impossible, cancel or postponement of large events. As part of life circumstances, there is a lot to be learn during this COVID-19 pandemic, many people were forced to change the way normal things happened. As many people were told to maintain social distance, avoid public gatherings and while advocating for remote working. Leisure activities shifted from active one to more passive one. Many people have decided to spend their time at home mostly watching televisions rather than engaging athletic activities. As a matter of facts, there was no games in most parts of the world. Therefore, we had to spend more at home to avoid spread of the diseases.
2.3. What forms of leisure exists in today’s, modern, society-there are two forms of leisure.
Active Leisure
Active leisure can be described as those activities which an individual makes themselves to physically participate in activities that needs effort. The whole body of an individual body takes part in doing a particular activities. There is a lot benefits that is associated with active leisure, this include:-Improvement and strengthens relationships. Individuals gather to play as well as in gymnastic events. At such times, people do bond while making friendship.
Socializing and sharing common interests. As indicated earlier while meeting to play and exercising, people share a lot that is sometimes important for co-curriculum activities. This means body exercise is not only important for healthy purpose but also, for normal day activities which include work relationship, as well as personal relationship with others. As matter of facts, there is a lot of relationship that begins in such activities. Other than spending some of their time for, most people do participate in making use of their talents.
Development of an individual body. There is a lot of individual benefits that is brought about by active body exercise. The body develops in a normal and healthy manner. This happens mostly when individual decide to hang out together (Lashua, Johnson, & Parry, 2020). These are some of the times when such individuals are able to discover and Explore new places and we ways of doing things, through travelling one learn and appreciate others cultures. As matter of facts, there is a lot of development in the body that physicians advises. Such activities are beneficial to the body as it helps in improving the level of the body immunity this in turn improves the level of Improve quality of life. As it reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
Passive Leisure.
Passive the time that people spend at home I activities that are relaxing and requires little effort, passive leisure activities includes watching television, listening to the radio, scenery watching like watching tall building in Town, watching the sky among many other idle activities that require very little effort. As much as passive leisure is one of the leisure activities, it is no that recommended. Passive leisure is one of the causes of lifestyle related problems. Many people do spend their time sitting down, doing nothing while at the same time eating. With such kind of leisure, one is likely to develop health problems.
2.4. Why is understanding leisure important?
In today’s world, it is important to understand the many benefits of leisure. Contrary to many believes that leisure time is a waste of time. As discussed earlier, the many benefits of leisure ranges from health benefit, social life, as well as well other general wellness of an individual mind. Therefore, while understanding what the body needs as well as the wellness of close relationship, individual are able to understand the need to plan on what they on their leisure time. As part of doctor’s life, many people are advised to engage in active leisured activities.
- Sample description
While trying to understand what it really means by leisure, I did an interview with Doctor Lee Maa. Doctor Lee A psychologist a profession as well as dealing with those individuals with other related activities. There is a lot of benefits that is associated with leisure rather than just the normal ones that we know. Many people don’t get the idea of making use of their leisure times in right manner, instead, it all turns out to be issues which may relate to lifestyle problems.
- Findings of the interviews
After gathering the interviews, read or listen to them a few times and find the following information: from Doctor Lee perception and advice. There is a lot of ways through which spend their leisure. However, many of them do not understand what it really means by having the right choices of leisure. With consideration of the current world, people especially is the working class fined it difficult in participating with the normal life. The improvement of technology has enabled a lot of people to shift from active leisure activities to a lesser effort activities. “I do a lot of physical press ups, pushups as well as jogging now that there is reduced level interaction and people cannot play games,” Dr, Lee Maa says.
How leisure was defined by those I interviewed (you would need to paraphrase their answers, you are encouraged to use some direct quotes from their answers. An example is:
4.1.The types of leisure activities undertaken by those I interviewed and frequency of it
During the interview, Dr. Lee Maa tells the story about his Leisure time. “Before COVID-19 outbreak, I enjoyed playing football in my neighborhood with some of my friends, but things changed when the government advised people to appreciate social distance lockdown and working from home.” Lee tells us that now, leisure is more achieved through small physical exercise as well as small house chores which acts as the active business. During this time, Dr Lee revealed to me that, he gained a significant weight. As much as there was a negative result due to the outbreak of the pandemic, Dr. Lee assures us that, many people did register worse body gains than him.
4.2.Why leisure is important to those I interviewed
Dr. Lee Maa says that, active leisure is more important to him than passive leisure. Other than making some good times for himself, Lee says that, active leisure mostly works to avoid many lifestyle diseases like blood pressure, lack of appetite, diabetes as well as weak bones among many others (Sivan, 2020). “I do engage in physical exercise, as it helps me to maintain my body weight as well as checking my pressure.” “However, I don’t say that passive leisure in not healthy, for those taking athletics as their career, they need passive leisure o relax their mind, body and soul.”
4.3.How has leisure changed for them before and after the pandemic
Leisure has really changed from being a social affair into a personal matter since the outbreak of COVID19 pandemic. There is also a significant increase in number of lifestyle diseases as many people fails to maintain their self-discipline during this pandemic. As earlier indicated, there is an increase in number in passive leisure as compared to active leisure. However, as a physician, Lee says, “there is nothing good than advising people to change their life styles and engage in active leisure.” This is with the exception of those individual who make their living from participating in athletic activities. Dr. Lee Maa advises that, active leisure promotes of the best Natural body treatment, physical fitness.
- Personal perception of leisure
5.1.General description of yourself (age, gender, race, culture, etc.)
I am an African 25 years of age. Having been brought up in Washington D.C. most of my culture is that which can defined like any other black American. I do enjoy playing football, riding, as well as swimming. With such activities, have never been idle. My life have been some been occupied with these many pleasures. This recreation activities is turning out to be more admired, most of the recreation activities is done as leisure as compared for them being economic activities. Many developing countries do take most of this leisure activities on a serious note (Pang, 2020). The idea of an increase of recreation activities is associated is mostly associated with developed countries. The trend is slowly migrating to other developing and third world countries. It with no doubt that, participating in leisure time results to an increase of happiness, bonding relationship, reduction of stress, wellness in mental health.
5.2 What is leisure?
Leisure refers to the time when one is not occupied with work or other duties and tasks. Therefore we are free to take a rest or chose to do what we love; it’s sometimes considered as a condition, a state of being, or an attitude of the mind, which is notable by a person’s perception about freedom from action, though, not imposed by conditions of the necessity. For example, when one receives a compulsory but a temporal release from other responsibilities, these responsibilities are usually not paid for; they are personal commitments like taking care of a child or cleaning a home.
5.2 Leisure activities
There are various exciting leisurely activities that I engage in to keep my mind active and the body strong. I like swimming, and swimming involves paddling in pools of water, which boosts the circulation of blood and increasing flexibility; it’s also fun swimming with others. Fishing creates room for socialization; the continuous casting and reeling makes the hands flexible and increases strength without straining. Gardening is also a valued leisure activity; it involves planting crops, weeding them, and even watering; this enhances flexibility, coordination, mental health, promotes relaxation, and reduces stress.
5.3 Importance of leisure
Leisure time relieves one from boredom and stress, thereby making one’s emotional and physical health better. Someone can deal with other activities once they are healthy. Leisure makes one improve their communication scope and self-esteem through engaging in clubs and exercise groups because one associates with more people. Leisure activities act as role models to the young generation, helps teach children acceptable behavior in society, improves their communication, and form good relationships with other people. Physical leisure activities stimulate the mind and keep the body active and healthy Cancer Institute Researchers show that physical activities increase lifespan. A long term outcome of leisure is that people gain skills that will eventually create self-employment rather than just depending on white-collar jobs. Leisure helps one escape from personal anxiety and worries of today’s life; it helps one disconnect and takes their mind away from problems that could otherwise interfere with their mental working. Leisure improves one’s moods since one is choosing the activities for themselves, they will choose the activities that give them pleasure and mental rest, this helps in clearing up the mind and relaxation. Indeed leisure time is important, and it has both physical and mental health
- Comparison of interview findings and own perception
6.1.What are some similarities between those you interviewed and your own perceptions of leisure?
From my own definition of leisure I find some many similarities as well as some little differences on definition of leisure. In my own definition, leisure is so important especially the active leisure. Other than refreshing the body for other life activities, active leisure is important in facilitating one’s health. From the interview, I came to understand that majority of the people do agree that active leisure is important for the wellness of one’s body, however, just like me, active leisure is so much demanding while passive leisure is more of lazy people. As much as both forms are good for the body, people, should consider migrating to the active form of leisure just like the way I think. It is pretty open that I do agree with some interviewee definition of leisure, their own perception as well as their advice.
The other similarity is the issue of pandemic and the changes that changed my own spending of my leisure. As the interviewed agreed, they turned into participating in passive leisure just like me. As much as I try to maintain my routine it becomes so difficult for me to go and play outside (Aghapour, Rabi Nattaj, & Mousavi, 2019). The government is still observing strict rules on socialization and making many public functions, as individual who have been active in many athletic events, I have to stay at home, work from home as well as do some little exercise which is not that much as compared during the pandemic time. Therefore, I find many similarities for those interviewed and I as a person. However, the COVID-19 is an eye opener to all of us, in future, I think we all have to discuss on the best to address leisure so as to balance the active leisure and the passive leisure.
6.2.What are some differences between those you interviewed and your own perceptions of leisure?
However, contrary to my own believe leisure, I find some differences on interviewee believe on leisure with my own definition and believe of leisure. The interviewed just seemed to describe what leisure is and what leisure. They do not consider as a significant activity that is essential to people live. As much as they appreciate the weight of active leisure, they do not show the real actions on active leisure. They do discuss more of active leisure but engage more on passive leisure (Espinosa Seguí, Maćkiewicz, & Rosol, 2017). I addition, the interviewed do not consider leisure to be a need in human life, they just do it for fun. It is more of fun to him rather than need according to my own definition and
understanding.
- Conclusion
7.1.What did you discover?
While addressing the issue of leisure, I find the topic more broad and wide. However, it is also interesting if we approach leisure with an inner understanding to find the benefit of the topic leisure. As part of my understanding, the two types of leisure, active leisure has more weight as compared to passive leisure (Demirel, 2019). However, contrary to what is good, human beings like to do the opposite of what is required. In real sense, passive leisure can lead to some body issues like lifestyle diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic has turned individuals to passively impress the passive leisure. This results to more cases of lifestyle related issues such as high blood pressure, gaining of weight as well as stroke issues.
As much as it is not that true that failure to engage in leisure activities results to body issues, but is with no doubt that, participating in active leisure results to good health. This means, leisure is more beneficial as compared to being idle. For this reason, one has to take care of themselves rather than spending much time doing things that doesn’t need any effort. From more interaction of individual’s definition of leisure, people mistake leisure as nothing important. Leisure is that important and necessary to human life. However, it must be addressed and be discussed more.
7.2.Are there any differences in perceptions of leisure based on characteristics of those you interviewed and yourself? Why do you think this is so?
Active leisure is mostly associated with sports. Therefore, as part to appreciate leisure, we have to tie it with sports. There are many definitions of sports which will help others understand the meaning of leisure. According to “part of every man and woman’s heritage and its absence can never be compensated for” Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937). Leisure and sport is very significant in making communities come together and do something constructive. According to “The United Nations has promoted sport worldwide as a means to promote education, health, development and peace.” Active leisure is defined as that part which involves a lot physical activities in an organized manner.
Leisure activities is very important in enriching personal values, goals and need in manner of actualization of one’s abilities. According to the guidance and definition of world health organization, s “individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. It is a broad ranging concept affected in a complex way by the person’s physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and their relationship to salient features of their environment”
References.
Aghapour, R., Rabi Nattaj, S. A. A., & Mousavi, S. M. (2019). Studying Status of Leisure Times and Tourism in Quran and Hadiths with emphasis on Spirituality. International journal of Tourism & Spirituality, 3(2), 106-118.
Demirel, M. (2019). Leisure Involvement and Happiness Levels of Individuals Having Fitness Center Membership. Journal of Education and Learning, 8(6), 140-149.
Espinosa Seguí, A., Maćkiewicz, B., & Rosol, M. (2017). From leisure to necessity: urban allotments in Alicante province, Spain, in times of crisis.
Pang, B. (2020). Beyond hypervisibility and fear: British Chinese communities’ leisure and health-related experiences in the time of coronavirus. Leisure Sciences, 1-7.
Sivan, A. (2020). Leisure in times of COVID-19: reflection on Hong Kong and Israel. World Leisure Journal, 62(4), 322-324.
Lashua, B., Johnson, C. W., & Parry, D. C. (2020). Leisure in the time of coronavirus: A rapid response special issue. Leisure Sciences, 1-6.