The Influence of Lifestyle and Leisure on Standard of Living - Assignment Example

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. INTRODUCTION Activities of daily living such as work and leisure plays an important role in promoting health and quality of life. Leisure and recreation are often viewed as time people spent away from work but it is not clear how they are related to people’s lifestyle, culture, quality of life. The following section discusses the influence of lifestyle, leisure, and recreation to people’s lives, how it can help the members of special populations, and its impact to people’s quality of life. 2. REVIEW QUESTIONS 2.1 LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, and RECREATION Q. How Lifestyle, Leisure, and Recreation affect people’s lives? In the 1960s and the 1970s people began to have an understanding of leisure, recreation, and lifestyle. According to Kirk et al. (2004), initially, the notion of recreation became prominent when people began to do activities that are alternative to their works. Next is leisure, when people learned to use all their available time when they are not working. It is like a state of being where people undertakes activities for the purpose of pleasure, entertainment, knowledge-improvement, relaxation, and typically identified with recreation (Johnston, 2000). Finally, the notion of lifestyle is when people think that they have some amount of freedom from work, family, and other commitments. Generally, leisure and recreation are considered “fundamental shapers of a personal lifestyle” (Schalock, 1997, p.118). Similarly, lifestyles are being defined by the interests in leisure and recreation (Broadhurst, 2001) that provides the opportunity for better quality social interaction (Leitner, 2004). A person’s involvement in leisure and recreation is influenced by the individual’s perception on whether time spent on non-work activities is worth their time (Bliezner & Bedford, 1996). However, as an important element of an individual’s life, most people valued their free time and the activities they are doing during that time (Burks & Johnson, 2000, p.556). According to Robertson & Long (2007), significant declines in physical and mental health are commonly attributed to the stress brought about by work and domestic problems. Therefore, inappropriate leisure and poor lifestyle can have an effect on people’s lives. Ideally, a person needs a lifestyle that could give him the maximum opportunity for quality leisure, balanced and meaningful life, and one that offers opportunity to be what he or she wants to be (Lahey, 1993). However, not all people are really serious about leisure since there are many people, like workaholics, who turn leisure into work (Torkildsen 2005). In addition, other people’s leisure choices may be unique and simple like solitarily spending at least an hour in a quiet room (Havitz et al., 2004) or sedentarily in their homes as the England Leisure Visits Survey in 2005 suggest (Bonn et al., 2009). Leisure and recreation may also provide the opportunity to criticise people’s everyday life as it invoke opposing images and practises (Wheaton, 2004). It provides a critical and alternative rubric for the contemporary living whereby people increasingly find in leisure what were missing from the work and family environment (Wheaton, 2004). Moreover, attractions of leisure and recreation also have a physical impact as people coming to large and popular tourist attractions are bringing with them forces that are felt in the social, environmental, and economic spheres (Jenkins & Pigram, 2003). 2.2 LEISURE and RECREATION for SPECIAL POPULATIONS Q. How leisure and recreation can help people with special needs? Initially, special populations are those people with “physical, mental, emotional, or social limitations” (Sivan & Ruskin, 2000, p.7), which includes the ageing members of the community. Although there may be noticeable difference with the level of income, personality, interest, health condition, and other, the extent and nature of people’s participation in leisure and recreation according to Pigram & Jenkins (2006) change or decline with age. Disability and fatigue can prevent or make continued participation in leisure interest too frustrating and impact leisure pursuits and other important life activities for special populations (Burks & Johnson, 2000). However, although members of the special populations are typically having physical, mental, or social limitations does not necessarily mean they cannot partake in leisure activities (Leitner, 2004). In fact, Pigram & Jenkins reported that many researchers have focused on leisure and recreation behaviour of the elderly to safeguard their physical and psychological well-being. Government and non-government organisations are also working hand-in hand to ensure the continuous flow of service delivery for community recreation that will address the needs of its aging members (p.66). Therapeutic Recreation was designed for special populations to help them participate in leisure and recreation activities. It offers outdoor activities, dance, outing activities, sports, and others specifically designed for special populations (Leitner, 2004). It values recreation as a significant life experiences for people with limitations and seek to deliver positive physical, social, and emotional outcomes (McLean et al., 2007). According to Daly & Kunstler (2006), one way to appreciate the power of recreation is to think about that “people seek optimal experiences... or leisure experiences” (p.179). This is because people who are experiencing these kind of activities also experience their “true identify, a sense of control over their actions, a heightened sense of awareness, and feelings of competence and mastery” (Daly & Kunstler 2006, p.179). Leisure and recreation for special populations can improve functioning and independence as well as lessening the impact of illness or disability (Robetson & Long, 2007). It is the primary means for experiencing personal freedom thus inclusion of individual with disabilities into the mainstream fabric of society is always considered (Schalock, 1997). According to Shalock (1997), one of the many challenges that people with limitations confront is their need to discover and nurture their self-identity which are often times closely tied to work and family roles (p.120). For this reason, all people must understand the value of leisure and recreation, and maintain a healthy lifestyle (Capezuti et al. 2007). 2.3 Culture, Recreation, and Leisure Q. How culture influences how people perceive leisure and recreation? “The uniqueness and worth of each individual is the cornerstone of our culture” (Torkildsen, 1999, p.26). According to Jenkins & Pigram (2003), culture has an impact on the concept of leisure which provides different views on how people are engage in work and non-work pursuits. Culture is meaningful in the context of recreation and leisure in modern society and many in this field of study believes that changes related to time and subtle shifts in workplaces, leisure activities, communities, and people’s everyday lives are developing creative class economies (Human Kinetics 2006). The popular culture, which according to Jenkins & Pigram (2003) is the freely chose common culture of the people, determines if a leisure is good or bad. For instance, almost everyone shares that popular culture of television. Leisure such cinema and radio were the catalyst for great social change of the 21st century, democratising and levelling popular culture in a context of shortening working hours and lengthening holidays (Devine & Finlay, 1996). In contrast, some believed that leisure should be spent in ways that were edifying and that had moral and social utility. This is because of the rapid growth of new middles-class and working-class people who had time and money to spend on leisure and contributing to new ideas and values to our society (McLean et al., 2007). According to Lahey (1993) a life that welcomes true leisure is like living in relative freedom from the external compulsive forces of one’s culture and physical environment (p.36). The way culture is conceptualized affects the notion of leisure (Zeleza & Veney, 2003). For instance, according to Zeleza & Veney (2003), culture as development, discourse, a popular practice, or as a recreation was reported to have implications on the way people perceive leisure. Leisure is a person’s free time which he can do as he wishes. However, his choices depend on his culture and upbringing, his friends, and how much money he is willing to spend (Gallagher et al, 1997). In contrast, “leisure is an important ingredient of culture” (Torkildsen 2005, p.22) and probably more so than work and other activities in life. According to Torkildsen (2005), leisure and recreation is vital as it can open up opportunities for people in divided communities to work and have fun together. Leisure and recreation activities can bridge class, race, and income variation in a community and help bring people together around something they can enjoy (Environmental Protection Agency 2002). 2.4 Leisure, Recreation, and Quality of Life Q. What is the relationship between leisure and recreation to quality of life? The quality of people’s lives is somewhat related to the lifestyle of each individual thus leisure and recreation is an important aspect of one’s life (Schalock, 1997). To most people, leisure time, sufficient recreational opportunities, and strong social relationship are indispensable. This is because participation in leisure according to Schalock (1997) is associated with feelings of pleasure, fulfilment, satisfaction, creativity, joy or happiness, and self-actualisation. Recreation, however, is one important ways to fulfil an individual’s leisure. Similarly, leisure activities are considered an important quality of life factors for elders (Leitner 2004). This is because, Leitner (2004) explains, research found a positive relationship between activity participation and healthy psychological well-being and contentment among the elderly. In the same way, satisfaction with reaction can considerably predict the quality of life of an individual in his old age. Therefore, leisure and recreation provides individuals with quality of life beyond the stresses of work and other exhaustive activities (Steadward, 2003). Quality of life is being attained if living in a community is good and in terms of recreation, activities may include social opportunities, cultural activities, special events, and facilities that can offer adequate recreation programs. According to McLean et al. (2007), the most obvious value of recreation is the opportunity for fun, relaxation, and pleasure through active participation in leisure activities (2007, p.171). Moreover, recreation is more than just providing fun or pleasure as it can also make significant contribution to an individual’s growth and development at every stage of his or her life. In one study to assess and quantify quality of life, Murphy & Williams (1999) reported that leisure and recreation were identified as key elements of a person’s quality of life. Leisure and recreation was seen as a necessary component of objective and subjective indicators of people’s quality of life (p.112). Leisure and recreation opportunities provide for the experiences that people from all walks of life need since such experience can enhance quality of life (Torkildsen, 2005). Balancing work and leisure is important for mental and physical health as excessive time spent in work at the expense of leisure or vice versa may lead to occupational imbalance that may aggravate health and quality of life resulting to injury or illness (Radomski & Latham 2007). Leisure may be perceived as “both means and ends” (Eyles & Williams, 2008, p.106). For instance, the time and activities spent in leisure may be profound expressions of culture and many are the most essential part of life for finding entertainment, contentment, and self-fulfilment. At the same time, leisure may be seen as a way to accomplish other goals at both individual and communal levels including physical and mental health, financial, survival, human development and health, and environmental quality (Eyles & Williams, 2008). 3. CONCLUSION Leisure and recreation plays a very important in people’s lives. A person’s involvement in leisure and recreation is determined by individual perception. Physical and mental health problems are commonly attributed to stress at work and other domestic problems thus poor leisure and lifestyle can greatly affect the quality of people’s lives. A person needs lifestyles that can give him or her balance and meaningful life. Leisure and recreation can help special populations by improving functioning and independence, and lessening the impact of illness and disability. It can give personal freedom and opportunity to discover and nurture self-identity. Culture is meaningful in the context of recreation and leisure as it can affect the way people perceive good or bad leisure. Leisure and recreation is an important aspect of one’ life as participation in these activities is associated with pleasure, fulfilment, satisfaction, and quality of life. 4. REFERENCE LIST Blieszner R. & Hilkevitch B. (1996). Aging and the family: theory and research. US: Greenwood Publishing Group Bonn A., Allott T., Hubacek K., & Stewart J. (2009). Drivers of Environmental Change in Uplands. US: Taylor & Francis Broadhurst R. (2001). Managing Environments for Leisure and Recreation. US: Routledge Burks J. & Johnson K. (2000). Multiple sclerosis: diagnosis, medical management, and rehabilitation. US: Demos Medical Publishing Capezuti E., Siegler E. & Meazey D. (2007). The encyclopedia of elder care: the comprehensive resource on geriatric and social care. US: Springer Publishing Company Devine T. & Finlay R. (1996). Scotland in the twentieth century. UK: Edinburgh University Press Enviromental Protection Agency. (2002). Community culture and the environment: a guide to understanding a sense of place. US: DIANE Publishing Eyles J. & Williams A. (2008). Sense of Place, Health and Quality of Life. UK: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Gallagher R., Fountain S., & Gee L. (1997).Physical education through diagrams. US: Oxford University Press Havitz M., Samdahl D., & Morden P. (2004). The diverse worlds of unemployed adults: consequences for leisure, lifestyle, and well-being. Canada: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press Daly R. & Kunstler G... (2006). Introduction to recreation and leisure. US: Human Kinetics Jenkins J. & Pigram J. (2003). Encyclopedia of leisure and outdoor recreation. UK: Taylor & Francis Johnston R. (2000). The dictionary of human geography. Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Kirk D., Kiss M., & Limerick R. (2004). Senior physical education: an integrated approach. US: Human Kinetics, US Lahey M. (1993). Recreation, leisure, and chronic illness: therapeutic rehabilitation as intervention in health care. US: Routledge Leitner S. (2004). Leisure enhancement. US: Routledge McLean D., Hurd A., & Rogers N. (2007). Kraus' recreation and leisure in modern society. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, US Murphy P. & Williams J. (1999). Assessment of rehabilitative and quality of life issues in litigation. US: CRC Press Pigram J. & Jenkins J. (2006). Outdoor recreation management. UK: Taylor & Francis Radomski M. & Latham C. (2007). Occupational therapy for physical dysfunction. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Robertson T. & Long T. (2007). Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation. US: Human Kinetics Schalock R. (1997). Quality of Life: Application to persons with disabilities. US: AAMR Silvan A. & Rusking H. (2000). Leisure education, community development, and populations with special needs. UK: CABI Steadward R., Watkinson J., & Wheeler G. (2003). Adapted physical activity. Canada: University of Alberta Torkildsen G. (1999). Leisure and recreation management. UK: Taylor & Francis Torkildsen G. (2005). Leisure and recreation management. UK: Routledge Wheaton B. (2004). Understanding lifestyle sports: consumption, identity, and difference. UK: Routledge Zeleza T. & Veney C. (2003). Leisure in urban Africa. Iretria: Africa World Press Read More

In addition, other people’s leisure choices may be unique and simple like solitarily spending at least an hour in a quiet room (Havitz et al., 2004) or sedentarily in their homes as the England Leisure Visits Survey in 2005 suggest (Bonn et al., 2009). Leisure and recreation may also provide the opportunity to criticise people’s everyday life as it invoke opposing images and practises (Wheaton, 2004). It provides a critical and alternative rubric for the contemporary living whereby people increasingly find in leisure what were missing from the work and family environment (Wheaton, 2004).

Moreover, attractions of leisure and recreation also have a physical impact as people coming to large and popular tourist attractions are bringing with them forces that are felt in the social, environmental, and economic spheres (Jenkins & Pigram, 2003). 2.2 LEISURE and RECREATION for SPECIAL POPULATIONS Q. How leisure and recreation can help people with special needs? Initially, special populations are those people with “physical, mental, emotional, or social limitations” (Sivan & Ruskin, 2000, p.7), which includes the ageing members of the community.

Although there may be noticeable difference with the level of income, personality, interest, health condition, and other, the extent and nature of people’s participation in leisure and recreation according to Pigram & Jenkins (2006) change or decline with age. Disability and fatigue can prevent or make continued participation in leisure interest too frustrating and impact leisure pursuits and other important life activities for special populations (Burks & Johnson, 2000). However, although members of the special populations are typically having physical, mental, or social limitations does not necessarily mean they cannot partake in leisure activities (Leitner, 2004).

In fact, Pigram & Jenkins reported that many researchers have focused on leisure and recreation behaviour of the elderly to safeguard their physical and psychological well-being. Government and non-government organisations are also working hand-in hand to ensure the continuous flow of service delivery for community recreation that will address the needs of its aging members (p.66). Therapeutic Recreation was designed for special populations to help them participate in leisure and recreation activities.

It offers outdoor activities, dance, outing activities, sports, and others specifically designed for special populations (Leitner, 2004). It values recreation as a significant life experiences for people with limitations and seek to deliver positive physical, social, and emotional outcomes (McLean et al., 2007). According to Daly & Kunstler (2006), one way to appreciate the power of recreation is to think about that “people seek optimal experiences. or leisure experiences” (p.179). This is because people who are experiencing these kind of activities also experience their “true identify, a sense of control over their actions, a heightened sense of awareness, and feelings of competence and mastery” (Daly & Kunstler 2006, p.179). Leisure and recreation for special populations can improve functioning and independence as well as lessening the impact of illness or disability (Robetson & Long, 2007).

It is the primary means for experiencing personal freedom thus inclusion of individual with disabilities into the mainstream fabric of society is always considered (Schalock, 1997). According to Shalock (1997), one of the many challenges that people with limitations confront is their need to discover and nurture their self-identity which are often times closely tied to work and family roles (p.120). For this reason, all people must understand the value of leisure and recreation, and maintain a healthy lifestyle (Capezuti et al. 2007). 2.

3 Culture, Recreation, and Leisure Q. How culture influences how people perceive leisure and recreation? “The uniqueness and worth of each individual is the cornerstone of our culture” (Torkildsen, 1999, p.26).

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