Recreation Therapy Services
Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury
During the week of Feb. 1 – 7 recreation therapists across Canada will be recognizing and celebrating National Therapeutic Recreation Week. This years’ provincial theme is “Optimal Health and Well Being”, which seems particularly relevant as people face turmoil on many levels. It is when times become increasingly tough and stress levels become higher that the role of recreation and leisure in one’s life becomes even more important. Recreation Therapists work with individuals to recognize how a more satisfying leisure lifestyle can impact positive changes in their life, help individuals decrease and manage stress more effectively and help teach new skills in order to obtain optimal health and well being. Enjoying your leisure time does not necessarily mean you have to spend money, just some thought and planning – do a potluck with friends, walking or hiking, playing cards or a pick up baseball game. Here are some simple things that you can do to make a change in your leisure lifestyle:
*develop a list of those activities that give you enjoyment and consider any new activities that you may want to begin or learn
* engage in leisure and recreation pursuits on a regular basis
* spend a portion of your time everyday to take care of yourself
* learn to delegate tasks and establish a list of supports that you can access as needed
*determine priorities in your life and examine if you have a balance between leisure and recreation and other obligations such as work, family, chores etc.
*have a variety of relaxation techniques that work for you - and practice them.
Remember, keeping yourself in “Optimal Health and Well Being” not only benefits you, but everyone around you.