LEISURE / RECREATIONAL AND OUTDOOR

ACTIVITIESlecture

BY:

JOCELYN M. GALLEGOS

The Nature of LeisureLeisure is difficult to define because it means something different to each person, yet scholars have always been interested in the study of leisure. The first attempt to understand leisure probably took place about 300 B.C. The ancient Greeks were intrigued by leisure, and the philosopher Aristotle suggested a paradigm, or model, by which leisure could be categorized. Aristotle proposed that leisure occurs at three levels:

1. Amusement2. recreation3. contemplation (more on that

later).

The Nature of Leisure1. Khaldun was a historian who is also considered to be the father of

sociology. Khaldun ranked these five desires in ascending order, with

leisure at the pinnacle of the pyramid.

2. Maslow - American psychologist emphasized the importance of certain activities in human life

which is similar to Khaldun’s. Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs begins with basic physiological needs, which appear at the bottom of the figure, and culminates with self-actualization, which makes up its highest level.

Maslow suggested that the human need for aesthetics1. (appreciation of beauty and order) and cognition2. (knowledge and understanding) precedes the need for 3. self-actualization.

The Nature of LeisureAristotle’s three level of leisure

Contemplation

Recreation

Amusement

A Comparison of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs with Khaldun’s

Hierarchy of Desires

WHAT IS LEISURE?The word leisure is derived from the Latin word licer, which means “to

permit or allow.” Licer is also the Latin root of the word permission. This is an important clue, and in this text leisure is defined as permission to do as one pleases at one’s own pace, to participate in an activity of one’s choice, and to abandon the activity at will. The leisure experience has three essential elements:1. Perceived freedom. One embarks on the experience at will and is also able to leave it at will.For example : You have the freedom to drive to the beach on a Sunday, stay as long as you like, and leave when you’re tired. If you’re employed, realistically you don’t have the freedom to make these choices during the workweek.2. Autotelic activity - means having a purpose in and not apart from itself. An autotelic activity, therefore, is one that is done through self-motivation and not because of some external factor. For example: A dedicated amateur plays soccer out of love of the game, not for monetary gain.3. Beneficial outcome. One undertakes the activity on the assumption that doing so will yield some benefit. For example, you may work out at the gym to lose weight, increase strength, or improve endurance.

WHAT IS LEISURE?According to Geoffrey Godbey, “leisure is…

freedom from the environment to act from compelling love in ways which are personally pleasing, intuitively worthwhile and provide a basis for faith.” (Godbey, 1985).

Leisure is often defined by time and activity:1. Time: free time for enjoyment2. Activity: recreation activities.

(DeGraff, D., Debra, J., and DeGraaf, K., 1999)

WHAT IS LEISURE?Leisure is often viewed as freely choosing to

do activities after responsibilities are completed.

These activities are enjoyable, pleasing, and relaxing that are done during time that is not meant for other jobs. (McGuire, F., Boyd, R., and Raymond, T., 1996).

Three distinct approaches to defining the leisure experience are outlined in the next

sections.Leisure as Residual Time

British sociologist Parker defined leisure as residual time, to be calculated in the following way. Beginning with a 24-hour day, subtract the hours that are not devoted to leisure: working, sleeping, eating, attending to physical needs, and so forth Residual time means, quite simply, time left over—in the case of leisure, time left over after one has performed the tasks necessary to exist (continue to be) and to subsist (have or acquire the necessities of life, such as food and clothing).

In 1953, Nash, one of the pioneers of recreation and leisure studies in America, supplied a paradigm explaining the levels of participation in experiences in which one takes part during free time. Nash indicated that the abuse of free time is

possible.Free time should be differentiated from

existence timethe time to fulfil one’s physical and

psychological needs and from subsistence timethe time to do work and conduct work related

activities

Three Sets of Time

Time for existence

Free time

Time for the subsistence

According to Nash’s lists of Free Time

1. Creativity2. Active Participation3. Emotional Participation4. Killing Time5. Injury to Self

6. Injury to Society

Leisure as ActivitiesActivity is commonly defined as the performance of a specific deed or act. Although there is an almost endless variety of human acts, they all have certain characteristics in common. For example, many human acts begin with a

condition of disequilibrium.

Shibutani - a Japanese American social psychologist in the 1960s, suggested that one can analyze a human act by breaking it down into functional units, or phases, as outlined below:

Leisure as ActivitiesI. The impulsive phasethe condition of disequilibrium sets an organism

into motion.The act normally continues until equilibrium is

restored.The simplest impulses are physiological: hunger, fatigue, adverse environmental conditions, and assault by a predator or an enemy. Disequilibrium also can be of a social or

psychological nature, such as the feeling that you are not dressed appropriately.

Boredom may also ignite a feeling of disequilibrium

Leisure as ActivitiesII. The perception phaseOnce set in motion by a condition of disequilibrium,

the organism seeks to perceive in its environment some means of achieving equilibrium. In the case of boredom, you may perceive reaching equilibrium by engaging in drawing.

III. The manipulation phase. After perceiving a means of achieving equilibrium,

you next must manipulate yourself, others, or objects in the environment. For example, in the case of boredom, you think of what, where, and when to draw.

Leisure as ActivitiesIV. The consummation phase. In this final stage of the act, equilibrium is restored—in the case of hunger, by eating. Except in cases of physiological disequilibrium (hunger, fatigue, adverse environmental conditions, assault), it is not always easy to determine when consummation of an act has occurred. The key is that striving has ceased and that the organism is once more in balance.

V. Expressive and instrumental acts. For purposes of this discussion, two types of acts are identified: expressive and instrumental. An expressive act begins with an impulsive phase and emphasizes the processes of perception and manipulation rather than consummation. An instrumental act also begins with an impulsive phase but focuses on consummation rather than perception and manipulation. In the drawing example, is the emphasis on drawing itself (expressive act) or on producing a portrait to be sold (instrumental act)?

What are the different types of leisure activities?

1. Social: Activities done with other people2. Creative: Activities, where a person makes or

creates something3. Physical: Activities that require body

movement4. Cognitive: Activities that require a person to

think5. Relaxation: Activities, where a person does to

feel calm6. Spiritual: Activities, where a person submits

to a higher power

What can leisure do for a person?

Leisure offers many benefits to participants. The primary benefits include:Improved healthImproved social relationships Improved physical fitnessImproved mental health Increased life satisfaction and enjoyment

(and)Personal development and growth.

What can leisure do for a person?

1. Reduce the risks of premature death.2. Reduce the risk of developing heart disease.3. Reduce the risk high blood pressure.4. Reduce the risk high cholesterol.5. Reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.6. Reduce the risk developing diabetes.7. Reduce or maintain healthy muscles and joints.8. Build and maintain body weight.9. Reduce depression and anxiety.10. Improve psychological well being.11. Enhance work, reaction, and sports performance.

Leisure Skills ChecklistDirections: Place a checkmark in the column to identify your answer. Please be honest.Statement about Leisure Always Some Never

1. Leisure helps me to stay well

2. Leisure helps me to cope with stress

3. Leisure helps me to cope with anger

4. Leisure helps me to feel positive

5. Leisure helps me cope with anxiety

6. Leisure makes me feel confident

7. Leisure makes me feel in control of my life.

8. Leisure improves my thinking skills

9. Leisure requires me to be responsible

10. Leisure helps me to appreciate nature

11. Leisure helps me to be a leader

Leisure Skills ChecklistStatement about Leisure Always Some Never

12. Leisure helps me to be creative

13. Leisure helps me to have adventure

14. Leisure helps me to be spiritual

15. Leisure makes me feel free

16. Leisure probably prevents diseases

17. Leisure probably improves my health

18. Leisure improves my physical strength

19. Leisure probably could prevent a stroke

20. Leisure probably improves my breathing

21. Leisure helps me cope with pain

22. Leisure helps me to lose weight

Leisure Skills Checklist Statement about Leisure Always Some Never

23. Leisure improves my relationships

24. Leisure helps me to bond with my family.

25. Leisure helps me to have friendships

26. Leisure helps me to get along with others

27. Leisure helps me to appreciate life

28. Leisure helps me to feel important

29. Leisure helps me to have fun

30. Leisure helps me to stay occupied

31. Leisure keeps me off streets/ out of gangs

32. Leisure helps me to feel peace

33. Leisure provides entertainment for me

34. Leisure increases my time spent outdoors

35. Leisure is beneficial to my overall life

Interpretation: Leisure Skills ChecklistTOTAL SCORE:

Under 13 You strongly do not believe that leisure is helping you or you do not participate in many leisure activities.

14 – 27 You think leisure is not helping you or you are not actively participating in many leisure activities.

28 – 41 You are undecided about leisure in your life. 42 – 55 You believe you receive benefits from your leisure 56 – 70 You strongly believe that you receive many benefits from your leisure.

If you checked “Always” on statements 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 then you view leisure as being social. You probably participate in activities with other people.

If you checked “Always” on statements 2, 3, and 5 then you view leisure as relaxation. You probably participate in activities that help you to relax.

If you checked “Always” on statements 1, 16, 17, 19, and 20 then you view your leisure to be a way to keep you healthy. You probably participate in activities that help to keep you fit and well.

If you checked “Always” on statements 4, 6, 28, and 29 then you view your leisure as being a positive experience. You probably participate in activities that make you feel good about life and living.

If you checked “Always” on statement 13 then your leisure helps you to be free and adventurous. You probably participate in activities that require an element of risk.

If you checked “Always” on statement 8 then you view your leisure as being intellectual. You probably participate in activities that require concentration.

If you checked “Always” on statements 10 and 34 then you view leisure as a way to appreciate nature and the outdoors.

Leisure Skills: JUMBLE Word

Directions: Find all the jumble or scrabble words listed below.

1. SEISTIIVCTA2. TNEMYOJNE3. IESOBBH4. MATLEN

5. TERS6. FITSENEB7. TIME FEER8. ANCETOPRIM9. RAKPS10. WRADINGRE

Leisure Skills: JUMBLE Word Directions: Find all the jumble or scrabble words listed below.

1. TING COECTL2. DOM EERF3. TERESTIN4. PYHISCAL5. KILLSS6. IESULER7. UNF8. LAXATIREON9. RECTIONREA10.HELATH

RECREATION is a term for which there is no universally agreed-on

definition.defined as voluntary participation in leisure activities

that are meaningful and enjoyable to the person involved. The term embraces both indoor and outdoor activities and refers to sports and exercise as well as to less physically active pursuits.

one aspect of the broader term leisure, which encompasses not only vigorous activities such as softball and hiking but also sedentary hobbies such as coin and stamp collecting as well as more passive pastimes such as dozing in a hammock or getting a relaxing facial.

RECREATIONThe link between leisure and recreation

was probed by Aristotle. He suggested that leisure can be classified into three overlapping categories: contemplation, recreation, and amusement1. Contemplation - is the act of considering

something with attention. 2. Recreation is the active, participatory

aspect of leisure. 3. Amusement is passive reception on the

part of an audience or spectators.

the term recreation is used to describeactivities in a variety of structured settings.

1. Public Recreation - Programs may be conducted indoors or outdoors and may involve sports and fitness activities as well as nature study and crafts.

2. Commercial Recreation - describes programs and activities that are offered for profit on a fee basis.

3. Corporate Recreation - refers to activities sponsored by companies and organizations for the benefit of their employees.

4. Therapeutic Recreation - consists of programs offered by both public and private agencies for the benefit of specific populations.

5. Other Recreational Settings - Other recreational settings are provided on an individual basis, as in playing golf at a private club or participating in military recreation.