LEISURE, RECREATION,
AND WELLNESS
“Don’t drop out, drop in.
Don’t cop out, compete.
Don’t exit, excel.”
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Leisure versus
Recreation
Leisure
Free time that can be spent as you see fit
Activities making up your unstructured free time
Many different possibilities
Not necessarily planned use of time,
but not necessarily wasted time
Body’s chance to rejuvenate itself
Leisure is:
“time when one is free to relax and do as one wishes.”
“freedom from time-consuming duties, responsibilities, or activities.”
“the time when you are not working or doing other duties.”
“time spent in or free for relaxation or enjoyment.”
Recreation
Participation in an activity that you enjoy
An activity that will improve us or restore us in some way
E.g., playing sports, watching TV, downloading music, or
playing video games, cooking and baking, gardening
swimming.
Recreation is:
“the refreshment of one’s mind or body after work through activity that amuses or
stimulates.”
Recreation is “refreshment of the strength and spirits after toil; amusement;
diversion; sport; pastime.”
Recreation is “an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates.”
Historical Development
of Recreation: A Brief
Overview
Renaissance Period
(1350–1600)
Upper-class
Painting, music, literature, science, and education
Well-educated man could ride, fence, dance, and paint
Great cultural movement in the arts and education
Reformation Period
(1500s–1600s)
Protestant work ethic introduced to colonial America
Recreation and leisure were earned through daily hard work
“Work before play”
Ample time for recreation and leisure = lazy and a loafer
Industrial Revolution
(1700–1900)
Working-class
No time or energy
Few leisure opportunities
Visiting the taverns or pubs
Middle class
Modeled upper class
Playing the piano, singing, and
drama
Upper class
Enjoyed many forms of recreation
Bird watching, fishing, cricket, polo,
and hunting
Roaring 20s
People began to recognize the need to enjoy leisure time
Hard work followed by deserved recreation and leisure
Touring in the newly invented automobile
The Charleston in illegal after-hours clubs
Jazz
Gambling
Depression Years
(1929–1945)
Recreation became less formal
People came together
Played their musical instruments
Had picnics at the local beaches
Went swimming
Conducted square dances
Made ice cream were the norm
Big bands and swing music were
popular
Attending the movie theatres (with
sound)
Modern Era
(1950–Present)
Fundamental changes in 1950s
+ Middle-class citizens had extra money for fun and leisure
+ Finish work each evening with leisure activities
+ Faster transportation = travel
+ Early retirement and enjoyment
+ Municipal multipurpose recreational facilities
- Technological advancements took over for PA
Present
Although technology can provide hours of recreation, it does not
necessarily promote a healthy and active lifestyle
Recent Developments
Shift in recreation priorities from working long hours
Family recreational activities are on the rise
More family time
Adapted programs and facilities
Parents spend time on children’s recreation
Adult sports leagues, golf, skiing, and
fitness memberships
Do we live to work or do we work to live?
