PEH

• Recreation

  An activity of leisure which is a vital element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, pleasure, or health benefits and are considered to be fun.
• Recreational activities

  Activities that one loves to engage in, with an intent to feel reinvigorated. It is a break from monotony and a diversion from the daily routine. It is a positive change from the stereotypical lifestyle.
• Types of recreational activities

  • Indoor activities
  • Outdoor activities
• Outdoor recreational activities

  • Recreation engaged in out of doors, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environmental they are being carried out in.
• Outdoor recreational activities

  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Backpacking
  • Horseback riding
• Active recreation

  An activity that requires a lot of energy and movement.
• Passive recreation

  An activity that involves limited physical exertion.
• Kinds of outdoor recreational activities

  • Trekking
  • Mountain biking
  • Canyoning
• Trekking

  • Enjoying a great walk, can be day hikes, overnight or extended hikes.
• Mountain biking

  • The activity of mountain biking involves steering a mountain cycle over rocky tracks and around boulder-strewn paths.
• Canyoning

  • An activity which involves walking, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and trekking through canyons.
• Health benefits of outdoor recreation

  • Improves mental wellbeing
  • Best way to get Vitamin D
  • Boost self-esteem
  • Promotes memory
  • Stress-reduction effects
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Improves the quality of sleep
  • Boost immunity
  • Helps burn some unwanted fats
• "Leave No Trace" Seven Principles

  • Get to know the area you're visiting
  • Prepare well for your trip
  • Familiarize yourself with the proper technical know-how
  • Do not walk and travel on places that have not been made for human transit
  • "Pack it in, pack it out"
  • Refrain from creating a campfire
  • Refrain from being that person and that group
• Kinds of indoor recreational activities

  • Playing chess, playing board games and cards
  • Table Tennis, Snooker, Bowling
  • Playing Video Games
  • Yoga, Floor Exercises, Planks, Weightlifting
  • Surfing the Internet/Social Media
• Other ways of classifying recreational activities

  • Social activities
  • Physical activities
  • Arts and crafts activities
  • Dramatic activities
  • Musical activities
  • Cultural activities
  • Service activities
• The Role of Recreation in Stress Management
• Stress

  Is an inescapable fact of life. We're bombarded daily with challenges ranging from traffic to bills -- from deadlines to last minute changes.
• Stress

  Is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether they're real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury.
• Stress response

  Also known as "fight-or-flight". During stress response, your heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten and blood pressure rises.
• Symptoms of Stress

  • Emotional symptoms
  • Physical symptoms
  • Cognitive symptoms
  • Behavioral symptoms
• Emotional symptoms of stress

  • Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
  • Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
  • Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
  • Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed
  • Avoiding others
• Physical symptoms of stress

  • Low energy
  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
  • Aches, pains, and tense muscles
  • Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
  • Insomnia
  • Frequent colds and infections
  • Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
  • Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet
  • Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
  • Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
• Cognitive symptoms of stress

  • Constant worrying
  • Racing thoughts
  • Forgetfulness and disorganization
  • Inability to focus
  • Poor judgment
  • Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side
• Behavioral symptoms of stress

  • Changes in appetite -- either not eating or eating too much
  • Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
  • Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
  • Exhibiting more nervous behaviors, such as nail biting, fidgeting, and pacing
• Consequences of Long-Term Stress

  • Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders
  • Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and stroke
  • Obesity and other eating disorders
  • Menstrual problems
  • Sexual dysfunction, such as impotence and premature ejaculation in men and loss of sexual desire in both men and women
  • Skin and hair problems, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and permanent hair loss
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as GERD, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable colon
• Importance of Recreational Activities to Health

  Physical Benefits of Recreation: Taking part in recreational activities, especially outdoors, can greatly improve physical health. People who take part in park activities such as walking, hiking, or skiing, schedule fewer office visits, maintain lower body fat percentages, and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Importance of Recreational Activities to Health

  Mental Health Improvements: Mental wellness is critical to overall physical health. Participating in recreational activities helps manage stress. Taking time to nurture oneself provides a sense of balance and self-esteem, which can directly reduce anxiety and depression.
• Output for Week 4: Have FUN! Bring materials for board games.
• The Role of Recreation in Stress Management
• Stress

  Is an inescapable fact of life. We're bombarded daily with challenges ranging from traffic to bills -- from deadlines to last minute changes.
• Stress

  Is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether they're real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury.
• Stress response

  Also known as "fight-or-flight". During stress response, your heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten and blood pressure rises.
• Symptoms of Stress

  • Emotional symptoms
  • Physical symptoms
  • Cognitive symptoms
  • Behavioral symptoms
• Emotional symptoms of stress

  • Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
  • Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
  • Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
  • Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed
  • Avoiding others
• Physical symptoms of stress

  • Low energy
  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
  • Aches, pains, and tense muscles
  • Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
  • Insomnia
  • Frequent colds and infections
  • Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
  • Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet
  • Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
  • Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
• Cognitive symptoms of stress

  • Constant worrying
  • Racing thoughts
  • Forgetfulness and disorganization
  • Inability to focus
  • Poor judgment
  • Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side
• Behavioral symptoms of stress

  • Changes in appetite -- either not eating or eating too much
  • Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
  • Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
  • Exhibiting more nervous behaviors, such as nail biting, fidgeting, and pacing
• Consequences of Long-Term Stress

  • Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders
  • Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and stroke
  • Obesity and other eating disorders
  • Menstrual problems
  • Sexual dysfunction, such as impotence and premature ejaculation in men and loss of sexual desire in both men and women
  • Skin and hair problems, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and permanent hair loss
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as GERD, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable colon
• Importance of Recreational Activities to Health

  Physical Benefits of Recreation: Taking part in recreational activities, especially outdoors, can greatly improve physical health. People who take part in park activities such as walking, hiking, or skiing, schedule fewer office visits, maintain lower body fat percentages, and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Importance of Recreational Activities to Health

  Mental Health Improvements: Mental wellness is critical to overall physical health. Participating in recreational activities helps manage stress. Taking time to nurture oneself provides a sense of balance and self-esteem, which can directly reduce anxiety and depression.