Recreation, Leisure and Play Essay Example for Free

Recreation, Leisure and put-on EssayThe idea of untenanted has been in existence for many a nonher(prenominal) centuries and has come to encounter many different meanings depending on the period in history or the purification that it originated from. From as early as Ancient Greece, Rome or Babylonia, the term we now know as unoccupied has existed in some form or another. As has been widely noted in preliminary recreation texts, schole was both the ancient Greek word for leisure meaning, knock expose bodily function without the pressure of extremity and is the root of the English word for school (Godbey, 2003). To the ancient Greeks, leisure, education, and culture were intertwined. In other words, learning was visible(prenominal) only for the productive, good deal with the wealth to afford free season. Leisure, as we know it forthwith, has changed from the original meaning of the word. From what I brace read and found in various(a) books and articles, Leisure o uthouse be delineate in 3 different ways leisure defined as a secernate of cosmos or a convey of mind, leisure defined as an practise, and leisure defined as time. I get out discuss the various definitions of leisure today and then discuss my issues with each definition.Leisure define as a State of Mind Leisure defined as a state of mind is, in my mind, the least often use definition of the word. The way to understand this concept would be use it in the context such as some unmatched who is at leisure meaning freedom from anxiety, obligation, or bashfulness or having an subjective locus of control. Locus of Control refers to an individuals perception of main causes of instances in life-time. More simply, having an internal locus of control means that you believe that you atomic number 18 the master of your consume destiny. John Neulinger (1974) statesLeisure has one and only one essential criterion, and that is the condition of perceived freedom. Any practise carried out freely, without constraint or compulsion, may be considered to be leisure. To leisure implies being engaged in any military pull through as a free agent and of ones own choice. (p. 12) Now I want you to glide by in mind this idea of leisure as any employment of ones own free leaveed stopping point because I am going to touch on it again during the leisure defined as time. Leisure Defined as an Activity Leisure defined as an activity is used widely as well.Most people would agree that leisure activity is something that is fun and enjoyable during a non-working time. This idea obligates it difficult to pinpoint a leisure activity though. Understanding if the activity is f bed for essential or extrinsic purposes may be the deciding factor whether the activity is leisure or not. The distinction amongst intrinsic and extrinsic properties run intos an essential role in stating several interesting philosophical problems. Why am I performing this action? If you ar doing t he activity because you enjoy it, then you are performing it for its intrinsic value.If you do not want to participate in an activity, scarcely you know that you willing benefit from the activity, you are performing it for its extrinsic value. An example would be a soul who practices on the piano because they uniform to lean, versus a person who practices piano because they want to win a music contest. Who of the ii is experiencing leisure as an activity? Most people would agree that the first person is definitely experiencing leisure as an activity. The second person is where the debate lays. It is the same exact activity as the first person, still the motivation for performing the activity is different.I ascertain that as long as you, as a free willed individual, choose to perform any activity then you are experiencing leisure as an activity because you are fulfilling your desires. I line up that the only time when you are may not experience leisure is when you are dying. If you have lived a long life and eventu all(prenominal)y die from old age, I do not believe that you do the decision out of free will to pass away. Although, if a person commits suicide, does that persons free willed decision make the act of dying a leisure activity? Some good questions to take aim If your career is your passion, are you always at leisure?Conversely, is a person without a job always at leisure? Musicians, professional athletes, and the homeless are all specific examples of situations that may help answer these questions. Leisure Defined as Time Leisure defined as time may be the most commonly unders in any cased meaning of the word today because of its positive connotations (Martin, 1975). People often use the word leisure and the term free time interchangeably. On the surface this definition seems fine, but as you delve deeper and ask difficult questions, it produces to become less clear. What is free time? abandon time is defined as time free of obligations or responsibilities, or time to do with what you please. As Neulinger stated his definition of leisure, performing the activity out of free will is the deciding factor for whether it is leisure or not. This idea brings this thought to mind. totally human beings have been blessed with the gift of free will a thought of who we are and of the decisions we make. Without consciousness we would still be apprised of what is going on around us, but we would react to it in a reflexive, instinctive way. With consciousness, we can deliberately weigh what the senses tell us, and respond accordingly.If this definition holds true, shouldnt all of life be considered leisure? Every decision, either action, comes from our decisions of our own free will. If we continue with this thought, some questions arise argon there any instances in life that would prevent you from experiencing free will? Do we always make decisions based on our desires? Do having priorities that are not in sync with our d esires negate our free will? These questions came after having a conversation with my friend. She told me that when you are a parent, you have obligations to your children that may interfere with your free time.This is where the mend breaks open and it is up to the individual to decide. Her question was, What if my needs as a parent cannot be carry out because I have work to make sure my kids are fed and clothed? I feel that even though you have the responsibility as a parent to provide for your children, you made the decision to have a child knowing full well the obligations and responsibilities that would ultimately come with that decision. Free time, who would have thought two little words, would bring up so many questions? My Definition of Leisure aft(prenominal) contemplating on the various definitions of the term leisure I tender the followingLeisure is the phenomenon experience by all self aware beings whose decisions are based out of free will, whether those decisions are made in the conscious or subconscious mind mind of the individual. Recreation Recreation is any activity which is relaxing to manhood or provides diversions from their normal routine, and in many ways is also a therapeutic refreshment of ones tree t take to the woodsk or mind. Any activity can potentially be a recreational one. Vacations to exotic islands, gaudy events, meditation, watching television, or playing monopoly are all forms of recreation.A key factor to the activity being considered a recreational activity is whether or not it is pleasurable. If the activity is not pleasurable then the activity cannot be considered recreational because it is not rejuvenating to the body or mind. For example, a couple travels to the Caribbean for a second honeymoon. They have planned the vacation far in advance and the tickets and reservations are non-refundable. Upon arriving, the weather is awful and the couple is unable to participate in any of the activities they had planned for the trip.Even though the fact they were engaging in a commercial recreational activity, the weather prevented them from having an enjoyable time and therefore the vacation was not recreating to oneself or another. With the randomness provided, this vacation would not be classified as recreation. Fairchild defined recreation as any activity pursued during leisure, either individual or collective, that is free and pleasurable, having its own immediate appeal, not impelled by a delayed reward beyond itself (Fairchild, 1944).Another aspect of recreation was presented by Gray and Greben (1974) as an emotional condition at heart an individual human being that flows from a feeling of well-being and self-satisfaction. It is characterized by feeling of mastery, achievement, exhilaration, acceptance, success, personal worthy, and pleasure. It reinforces positive self-image. Recreation is a response to aesthetic experience, achievement of personal goals, or positive feedback from others . It is independent of activity, leisure, or personal acceptance. (p. 23) This definition is not focused on the activity itself, but on the individuals answer to the activity the individuals state of mind.I would agree that this definition touches the intent of the subject much reveal. I stated earlier that any activity has the potential of being a recreational activity. This is true because it depends on how the individual feels about the activity. Most people experience pleasure during activities like exercise, sports, relaxing, and vacationing. If you deliberate along these lines then it is easy to understand why some activities are generalized as recreational and why some are not. Although some people consider work pleasurable, most people do not love their job.This is why I believe that work is not universally true as recreational. My Definition of Recreation After contemplating on the various definitions of the term recreation I propose the following Recreation is a posit ive state of mind achieved during any physical or non-physical activities characterized by feelings which are rejuvenating and recreating to the body and spirit. gaming Leisure and recreation as I discussed them are states of mind go through by an individual. Play, although cerebrate to these concepts, is different in the fact that it is a means to achieve this positive state of mind which all living beings desire.Play has existed since the beginning of time. Johan Huizinga (1950) described the characteristics of play as Voluntary mien Stepping outside of ordinary life Secluded and limited in time and space Not serious but absorbs the player intensely Bounded by rules Promoting formation of social groups that surround themselves with secrecy As you read the characteristics, you realize that they appear in all forms of play. Although play is a common occurrence at heart all ages of life, it is a concept that it liked to immaturity in todays society. The Instinctual Aspect of Play.Play is a puzzle to scientists. Why do animals spend so much time and energy doing such silly things that seem to have no purpose? The struggle for survival in nature is devilish serious. What place is there for activities that dont help animals eat, grow, and reproduce? Play is also very risky. Animals can break bones, get away muscles, or get bitten too hard. In a poll of 14 Siberian ibexes (wild goats), to a smashinger extent than trio were hurt badly enough during play to cause limps-a serious absorb in the race for survival. And animals can become so wrapped up in play that they are unaware of danger. whiz discipline showed that 80 percent of the deaths among young fur seals occurred because the playing pups didnt see predators coming (Braaf 2003, 4) Why is play worth the risk? Many scientists believe its essential for survival-as important as food or sleep. Why Play? Most scientists believe that when animals play, they are practicing skills theyll need later in life. This is why different kinds of animals play in different ways. Young predators, such as wolves, lions, and bears, play by stalking, pouncing, biting, and shaking their heads from side to side. Theyre honing their skills for when they will run down, catch, and kill prey.When a wolf pup chases its own tail, bites it, and yanks it back and forth, the pup is rehearsing skills itll need one day as a hunter. Research shows that smarter animals spend to a greater extent time playing. Elephants play more than horses. Chimps play more than macaques. Wolves play more than rabbits. And parrots play more than either ducks or sparrows. Smarter animals also play in more creative and complex ways. Not surprisingly, humans and chimpanzees are among the most playful species. (Braaf 2003, 9) Here are troika questions to scratch line with Why do humans play? Is play something that is learned, or is it instinctual?And what purpose does it serve in humans? To answer the first question, Godbey (2003) presents the following If you put a person in a shadower tank of water heated to same temperature as their body in a dark fashion devoid of sound, their need for stimulation will be so great that they will usually start to hallucinate. If you are walking down the street with nothing much absorbing your attention, you may start to take note cracks in the sidewalk and make up a game in which you have to avoid stepping on them. (p. 46) In conclusion, humans need stimulation. If the mind is idle then the person will seek out the stimulation in his or her surroundings.Whether or play is instinctual or learned, I believe that it is both. Most games that we play are learned, such as baseball, hide and seek, or even make believe games such as house. Obviously, not all forms of play are taught though. As in the example from Godbey, a person will make up a form of play if there are no other options for stimulation. eventually to understand the purpose of play in humans we must fir st discuss the four forms of play developed by Caillois (1958). The pursuit of vertigo in which one tries to momentarily destroy the stability of perception, escaping pragmatism for the moment. Games of chance Make Believe Contests which require appropriate training, the application of skill, and the desire to win As in animals in the wild, play is used to hone a persons skill for later in life. Some examples of this are interacting with other children on the playground, which will increase social skills, hitting rocks with a stick, which will increase hand-eye coordination, and cloud watching, which will develop a persons imagination. My Definition of Play After contemplating on the various definitions of the term play I propose the followingPlay is voluntary behavior, bounded by rules, experienced by both human and non-human beings, which stimulates the mind and body, prepares an individual for similar future situations, and allows for personal maturation within the individua l. How Leisure, Recreation, and Play Relate Now that I have discussed my definitions of leisure, recreation, and play, I will explain how my definitions are related to one another. As I stated earlier, Leisure is the phenomenon experienced by all self aware beings whose decisions are based out of free will, whether those decisions are made in the conscious or subconscious mind of the individual.Life, to me, is leisure because of our ability to act out of free will. The question should not be, Is this activity a leisure activity? , but rather, Is this activity considered good or bad leisure? Recreation, I feel, is a subset of leisure. All of recreation can be considered leisure, but not the converse. Recreation is a positive state of mind achieved during any physical or non-physical activities characterized by feelings which are rejuvenating and recreating to the body and spirit. The reason that not all of leisure can be considered recreation is because not all of life is recreating to the mind and spirit.Play is a subset of recreation. Similar to leisure and Recreation, all of play is recreation, but not the converse. Play is voluntary behavior, bounded by rules, experienced by both human and non-human beings, which stimulates the mind and body, prepares an individual for similar future situations, and allows for personal growth within the individual. The main difference is that play is bounded by rules where recreation is not. Some examples of recreation that are not considered play would be meditation, reading, or watching TV.If you look at the following diagram, I think it makes it easier to understand the relationship between all three of the concepts. pic Leisure is all encompassing. Within it lays recreation and play. Although they are both within leisure there are still some aspects of leisure that are not considered recreation. This blue arrow points to this area. The red arrow points to the area that is recreational but does not classify as play. Qua lity of Life The well-being or gauge of life of a person is an important concern when driveing to understand leisure, recreation, and play in an individuals life.Understanding type of life is today particularly important in health care, where monetary measures do not readily apply. Decisions on what search or treatments to invest the most in are closely related to their effect of a patients quality of life. There are many components to well-being. A large part is standard of living, the amount of money and coming to goods and services that a person has these numbers are fairly easily measured. Others components like freedom, happiness, art, environmental health, and mental home are far harder to measure and are generally considered to be more important.There are two main strategies we can adopt to improve the quality of life in our everyday lives. The first is to try making external conditions match our goals. The second is to change how we experience external conditions to ma ke them fit our goals infract. neither of the strategies is effective when used alone. Changing external conditions might seem to work at first, but if a person is not in control of his or her consciousness, the old fears or desires will soon return, bring around previous anxieties. (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990, p. 89) For instance, feeling secure is an important component of happiness.The sense of security can be change by purchasing a gun for home protection, placing security locks on the front door, having an alarm unit of measurement installed, or moving to a safer neighborhood. All of these actions would fall under making our external conditions fit our goals better. One also has to understand that perfect safety is, in all reality, not possible and risks are inevitable. formerly a person understands this then the threat of insecurity will not have as great of a chance of having a person live in fear ultimately ruining ones quality of life.In society today, wealth, status and p ower have become symbols of happiness. People often assume that the rich and famous have very rewarding lives just because of their status. We often assume that life would be better if we were in other peoples shoes. The reality of the situation is that quality of life does not depend directly on what others think about us or what we own, but rather how we feel about ourselves and what happens to us in our everyday lives. Some people today suffer from affluenza, the bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses.It is an epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. In laymans terms, affluenza is experienced when people have the mentality that their possessions is what defines them as an individual. This is not to say that having nice things, being famous, or being is peak physical condition are irrelevant to happiness. These things can be genuine blessings but only if they make u s feel better without having to sacrifice other important aspects of our life. Research on happiness suggests that in general, there is a mild correlation between wealth and well-being.Given these observations, quite of worrying about how to make a million dollars or how to win friends and influence people, it seems more full to find out how everyday life can be made more harmonious and more satisfying, and thus achieve by a direct route what cannot be reached through the pursuit of emblematical goals (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990, p. 91). How Leisure, Recreation and Play Affect Quality of Life Everyone is familiar with stress. We experience it in varying forms and degrees every day. In small doses, stress can actually be beneficial to us.It is only when the stress becomes too great, affecting our physical or mental functioning, that it becomes a problem. The stress response of the body is meant to protect and keep us. To maintain stability or homeostasis, the body is constantly adjus ting to its surroundings. When a physical or mental event threatens this equilibrium, we react to it. This process is often referred to as the fight or flight response. We prepare for physical action in order to confront or flee a threat. When it is part of a natural reaction to challenge or danger, the bodys response is called positive stress.However, when you feel out of control or under intense pressure, you may experience the physical, emotional, or relational symptoms brought on by negative stress. distort can cause both physical and emotional in an individuals life. Stress adversely affects reproduction, sexual behavior, and growth. Stress inhibits the immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds, flu, fatigue and infections. Leisure, recreation and play are natural ways to reduce negative stress that builds up in the body therefore meliorate ones quality of life.The human body is like any other system in nature. If we dont have ways to vent our stress from everyday l ife through activities that are pleasurable, we will start to experience the negative side effects of stress. Final Thoughts My thoughts on the subject of leisure, recreation, and play before this story could not be further from where my thoughts are now. I feel that too much emphasis is set on unimportant things today. Society, more so than ever, has gotten into the habit of treating the symptoms of people, instead of treating the individual.I feel that having a better understanding of the concepts of recreation, leisure, and play and the role they play in your life will ultimately lead to a happier and hopefully longer life. Refrences Braaf, E. (2003). Why animals love to play. Retrieved September 20, 2006, from Find Articles Website http//www. findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_qa4128/ is_200311/ai_n9307508/pg_1 Caillois, R. (1958). Man, play and games. Glencoe, IL The Free press. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York, NY. Harper and Row . Fairchild, H. (1944).Dictionary of sociology (pp. 251-252). New York, NY Philosophical Library. Godbey, G. (2003). Leisure in your life An exploration. State College, PA Venture Publishing. Gray, D. and Greben, S. (1974, July). Future Perspectives. Parks and recreation, 61, 49 Hiuzinga, J. (1950). Homo ludens A study of the play element in culture. Boston, MA Beacon Press Martin, A. (1975, March). Leisure and our inner resources. Parks and Recreation, 69. 1-16 Neulinger, J. (1974). The psychological science of leisure Research approaches to the study of leisure. Springfield, IL Charles Thomas Publishers.