Leisure Benefits and Barriers

Leisure's Roles

• Family: Facilitates cohesion, learning environment, family satisfaction, traditions, cultural values.

• Individual: Provides enjoyment, fosters identity, develops sense of self.

• Society: Creates sense of belonging, reinforces shared values, forms system of social organization, promotes inter-dependency, contributes to economy, builds group solidarity, encourages inclusion.

Types of Leisure Benefits

• Personal, Social, Economic, Environmental, Social welfare.

• Benefits manifest at personal, community, societal, economic, environmental, and global levels.

Domains of Health (SPECS)

• Social

• Physical

• Emotional

• Cognitive

• Spiritual

Benefits of Leisure: Individual Level

• Short-term (Immediate): Boosts energy levels, increases motivation, lowers stress, elevates mood.

• Long-term (Over time): Reduces depression, builds social connectedness, improves sleep, increases feelings of well-being.

Benefits of Leisure: Community & Societal Level

• Reduces crime.

• Encourages volunteerism.

• Promotes a sense of belonging.

• Develops pride in the community.

Benefits of Leisure: Economic & Global Level

• Drives global movements.

• Contributes to one of the largest industries.

• Promotes stewardship.

• Decreases medical costs.

Importance of Evidence-Based Benefits

• Educates service providers (e.g., in TR) and clients.

• Advances the therapeutic recreation field.

• Ensures accountability.

• Improves patient outcomes.

Crafting Benefit Statements

• Statements should use a verb and a noun (e.g., "Increases energy level").

• Examples include: Develops decision-making skills, Builds confidence, Promotes feelings of enjoyment, Builds friendships, Improves ability to problem solve, Maintains cardiovascular fitness.

• Statements can align with the SPECS domains.