RECREATIONAL THERAPY

INTRODUCTION
Recreational programmes will be developed by therapeutic team specifically by recreational

therapist with the help of community resources to encourage the clients by participating in

socializing activities

DEFINITION
It is a form of activity therapy, where an individual enjoys pleasurably, the leisure time

through recreating and renewing the body and mind by relieving emotional tensions or

internal conflicts and there by releases monotonous life of mentally sick or ill persons

INDICATIONS

• Clients who have difficulty in relating to others, e.g. Regressed, withdrawn, immobilized

persons in psychiatric unit

• Schizophrenia
• Excitement
• Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• Organic brain syndrome
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Substance abuse
PURPOSES

• To relieve from stress, anxiety, boredom, tension, emotional internal conflicts, loneliness
• To assist the client for self-expression of their thoughts, feelings freely and openly
• Identifies own creative ability
• Provides socially acceptance outlet for fantasy and wish fulfilment
• Increases self-esteem
• To develop and enhance social skills
• To promote the clients to engage in healthy and competitive interaction
• To use leisure time in a constructive manner
• To divert the mind from stressful situations
• To change moods
• To ensures attention, concentration, memory and goal attainment need
• It is a mode of entertainment, enjoyment opportunity for the clients to express fun,

feeling good, tends to have balance in their busy or daily schedule

• Modifies life style

• Enhances interest
• Promotes growth and development of an individual
• Pleasurable way of passing leisure time
• Client experiences predictability, security, order, success (they can see, feel, accepted
by the group)
• Achievement of healthy behaviour by having a sense of humour in life
• Client will develop a sense of accomplishment and exhibits a positive participation
• To channelise the clients energy in a constructive way in a specified framework
• Re-education of the client (physically, mentally and socially) is possible
• Modifies the behaviour by bringing change in their personality
• To create self confidence
• To substitute discouragement with encouragement
• Improves appetite, circulation, respiration and muscle tone
• It maintains good posture
• To develop sense of rhythm
• To utilize community resources
• To identify the socialization activities, e.g. dance, music therapy
• To integrate the muscular and cognitive expression of patients feelings and thoughts.

TYPES OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Indoor Activities

For example, Ludo, crafts, weight lifting cards, chess, Chinese checker, puppet shows, carom

board, singing, dances, painting, gardening, participating in birthday or family functions, table

tennis, snookers

Outdoor Activities

For example, Picnic trips, visits (friendly visits or visit to interested places, e.g. Zoo, garden,
flower show, etc.) shopping, swimming

Activities for Intellectual Expression

For example, Reading books, magazines, news papers of their interest; painting, drawing,

participating in debates, competitions, recitation, celebrating the days of Global importance,

e.g. World health day, enjoying the festivals, eves like Christmas, new years day; writing

stories, poems, jokes, humour, puzzle, quiz participation, competitions.

Activities for Psychosexual Expression

For example, Singing, dancing, painting, drawing,etc.

Activities for Expression of Love and Tenderness

For example, taking care of kids with play material: pets, gardening, etc.

Activities for Expression of Muscular Strength

For example, Sports and Games

Motor form

1. Fundamental form, e.g. table tennis, bad minton, basket bal

2. Accessory form, e.g. dancing.

Activities increasing Sensory Power

For example, visual, e.g. watching pictures ovies; moving objects Auditory form, e.g. listening to
slow, sound music, radio
Kinaesthetic, e.g. painting, art, drawing, taking care of pet

Types of Games

• Goal games, e.g. hide and seek; chess, foot ball

• Team games, e.g. cricket, hockey, co-co; football, throw ball, volley ball, basketball.
• Country sport, e.g. shooting, fishing, polo horse ride, camel ride, in Rajasthan and
Manipur; Boat race in Kerala; Bullock cart race in Andhra and Karnataka on Gokulastami
festival
• Combats eg.wrestling, boxing
• Curiosity play-drama enhancement
• Vicarious play-Viewing motion pictures
• Initiative play, e.g. dance, music
• Social play, e.g. participating in family gatherings, parties
• Aesthetic play, e.g. painting, clay modelling Acquisition play, e.g. collecting stamps,
currency of national and international, flowers, feathers, leafs, statues, books, etc

SELECTION OF TYPES OF ACTIVITIES FOR MENTALLY ILL CLIENTS

For schizophrenic clients-They need human contacts, enjoy in group activities, outdoor

activities like shopping, visiting, picnic, indoor activities like dancing, singing, painting,

gardening etc.

For excited clients- Indoor activities like function hall arrangements, punching, outdoor

activities like visiting natural scenes, flower shoes, botanical gardens, etc.

For clients with anxiety-Indoor activities like listening melodious music, painting, gardening,

watching movies, outdoor activities like visiting interested and significant places, walking,

attending like-minded gatherings, etc.

For the clients with organic brain syndrome-Indoor activities like watching TV, listening to

music, drawing, art, celebrating auspicious days like birthday, anniversary, etc.

For the clients with obsessive compulsive disorders-Indoor activities like prayer activities,

decoration of rooms and wards, dancing, drama, etc.

For the clients with substance abuse-Indoor activities like weekly entertainments, participating

in handicraft session, enactment in dramas.

ROLE OF NURSE IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY

• Plan the recreational activities based on abilities or strengths, talents, needs, age, sex,
illness.
• Encourage the client to participate in recreational activities actively
• Teach the necessary skills for each activity
•Avid competitive games in the beginning eg.depressive clients if they fail to perform

effectively ,they will go further depressive

• Encourage the client to express self

• Supervise the activities and note the behaviour change

Eg. Task initiativeness, decision making, interest in games, passive, needs frequent persuasion,

enjoys the activity, feels comfortable, remains isolated, wants to work with group,

communicates with others, makes non-verbal communications, depressive, unable to enjoy

• If any problems arise , nurse has to analyse the situation and intervenes the action

• Nurses have to appreciate the effective performance of clients

• Provide a non-threatening and non demanding environment

• She must provide activities that are relaxing and without rigid guidelines

• She must provide activities that are enjoyable and self satisfying

• Nurse must help the clients to develop skills, talents and abilities

• Nurse must provide socially acceptable behaviour in the client

• The nurse must help the client to discuss specific situations in the life that produces

the most distress and describe his or her response towards these situations

CASE STUDY
Patient Information:
- Name: Shameen
- Age: 35
- Diagnosis: Schizophrenia (paranoid type)
- Symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, social withdrawal
- Goals: Improve social skills, increase self-esteem, manage symptoms
Recreational Therapy Plan:
- Activity: Group art therapy (painting, drawing)
- Frequency: 2 times a week, 1 hour per session
- Objectives:
- Improve social skills through group interaction
- Enhance self-expression and creativity
- Manage symptoms through relaxation and stress reduction
Session 1:
- Shameen is introduced to the art therapy group and is encouraged to participate
- He is hesitant at first but eventually starts drawing with prompts from the therapist
- He creates a picture of a tree, symbolizing growth and stability
Session 2:
- Shameen continues to participate in the art therapy group, engaging in conversations with
peers
- He starts to open up about his feelings and experiences, using art as a medium
- He creates a painting of a sun, representing hope and positivity
Progress:
- Shameen social skills improve, and he becomes more comfortable interacting with peers
- His self-esteem increases, and he starts to take pride in his artwork
- His symptoms are managed, and he reports reduced hallucinations and delusions
Outcome:
- Shameen’s participation in recreational therapy helps him achieve his goals and improve his
overall well-being
- He continues to attend art therapy sessions, using creative expression as a coping
mechanism for managing his schizophrenia symptoms.
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