Meaning of Recreation

Recreation can mean different things to different people, but it is, for sure, a refreshing break from monotony. Recreation refers to the free time that people can spend away from their everyday responsibilities (e.g. work and domestic tasks) that are meant to be a source of joy, provide relaxation to one’s mind and body, and enjoy life. We all need a break from work; we need to break from our mundane routine and refresh ourselves by indulging in recreational activities. Recreation is meant to serve as a relaxing break from our hectic schedule; it is meant to serve as the means to rejuvenate ourselves. Participation in recreation and sports activities can have many benefits for both the individual and community. 

Key Benefits of Recreation

• Sport and recreation can be used as a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance and understanding by bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, religions,  ages and abilities together for enjoyment. This helps develop strong communities and strengthens social bonding. Recreational Activities also aims at providing you with an opportunity to engage with special people in your life. An outing with your family or a picnic with close friends refreshes not only your mind and body, but also your relationship with your dear ones. (SOCIAL BENEFITS);
• Sport and recreational activities can empower people by positively influencing their creative expression, enhance self-esteem, increase personal confidence and self-awareness of their strengths and abilities. (DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY);
• Sport and recreational activities are an enjoyable and effective way to improve health and well-being.   They can relieve stress, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, refresh the senses, help you relax, increase fitness, and improves quality of life (HEALTH AND WELL BEING);
• Participation in recreation and sports activities improve concentration, memory and brain development, motor learning, understanding game directions, along with performing a skill  are some of the many skills that can be developed. (SKILL DEVELOPMENT).
• Allows you to switch off from your daily routine and gives you a chance to do what you like.  A great balance between work and play. Gives u a chance to do what you love to.  A great way to rejuvenate yourself. Engaging in an activity you like (be it gaming, chatting with friends, writing, photography, or any other) helps you fight boredom. (EFFECTIVE TIME UTILIZATION)
• Recreation in the form of group activities or team games helps build teamwork and also develops planning and organizing skills. Such activities help in the enhancement of interpersonal skills as well.  (TEAMWORK – A SENSE OF BELONGING)
• Many recreational activities take you close to nature. The company of nature always proves to be an excellent relaxation to the mind and body. Spending time watching the night sky, lazing around on a beach, walking in the woods, or just being in the proximity of nature in some quiet place in the countryside freshens the mind and is healthy for the body.
• Many life skills can be taught through recreation. For example:
  • RESPECT –  Respect your peers, your leaders, the equipment, and the facility
  • TEAMWORK – Work together and encourage your teammates towards a common goal
  • INCLUSION – We are all different and those differences bring joy to our lives… differences make the world interesting
  • LEADERSHIP – Lead by example with a positive attitude and enthusiasm…value the team
  • SPORTSMANSHIP – Compete against yourself, not others…it’s about the love of the game, not winning.