Living Well: The Benefits of Leisure
Congratulations to the many cruise winners who are right now enjoying their week-long luxury cruise to three beautiful islands in the Western Caribbean! While they are enjoying some much-deserved R&R , I thought it would be a good time for all of us to remember how important leisure is in our lives. Yes, leisure—as in playtime, fun, relaxation. You probably feel better just thinking about it, don’t you?
Numerous studies suggest that leisure contributes to overall health and well-being. Coleman (1993) contends that leisure assists in maintaining physical and mental health by helping people resist stress induced illness, which can lead to enhanced well-being. Another study found that individuals who participated in leisure activities experienced higher work satisfaction and self-esteem, less burnout, fewer somatic complaints, and less anxiety (Melamed and Meir 1995) .
So what are your favorite types of leisure activities? Let us know by taking our poll.
Comments
I really ejoy traveling, camping, and reading. I love to learn, so all three of these provide fun, relaxation, and education. What could be better??!!
MaryAnn Gibson
February 19th, 2010
Give me a garden with lavender and bees, chooks scratching around under fruit laden trees.Roses to smell and vege to pick, doterra EOs to prevent me being sick. A nice cup of coffee a good book to read, these are some of the things that I need.
Sue Morgan
February 20th, 2010
Just love to garden.From the seed to the soil, The produce and the flowers.Also love to read and take in knowledge,particularly about my essential oils.Just cant seem to get enough of it!!!
Kathryn Godfrey
February 21st, 2010
Leisure fun in the mountains of Utah means skiing, hiking, snoeshoeing, or just hanging out on the couch with a good read and the diffuser running!
Marty Harger
February 21st, 2010
Skiing, bike riding, sea kayaking, swimming, and traveling to foreign countries
Kate
February 21st, 2010
I love hanging out with my animals, riding horses, taking the dog for a walk, reading a book with a kitty on my lap. Animals have such a healing energy and they are full of love!
Arin Ingraham
February 22nd, 2010
There’s nothing better than being anywhere quiet with my family. We love to take walks in the woods in Northern Michigan. There’s not a more beautiful place in the world!
Lorelei Bailey
February 22nd, 2010
I love to crochet or read curled up under blankets with a nice essential oil in the air. I also love to bike and run in nature, camp and relax in the sun on the beach.
Sherie Christensen
February 24th, 2010
This probably sounds crazy, but relaxation to me is Sunday afternoon when our five children, their spouses, and collectively their 20 children (yes, my grandbabies) show up for dinner. Summer, winter, fall, or spring, it doesn’t matter, we have a wonderful time chatting, playing, laughing, and of course eating. Can life get any better?!?!?!
Lil Shepherd
February 28th, 2010