Introduction:
Recreational therapy uses leisure activities to help people with specific health conditions improve their skills, abilities, overall health, and emotional well-being. Recreational therapists work with you and your healthcare team to set health goals and develop a plan to meet your needs.
Recreational therapy can take place in a variety of settings, including:
- hospitals
- schools
- inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities and programs
- skilled nursing facilities
- assisted living facilities
- sports programs
- substance use programs
- correctional facilities
- community centers
Some of the activities that may be part of a recreational therapy program include:
- art
- music
- sports games
- video games
- board games
- animal interactions
- dance and movement
- gardening
- storytelling
- creative writing
- drama
- cooking classes
- community and cultural outings
Recreational therapy benefits people of all ages. It’s often used to help people who are:
- recovering from a stroke
- rehabilitating from an injury, illness, or surgery
- working to improve motor skills
- learning to carry out the activities of daily living independently
- being treated for cancer
- experiencing anxiety or worry in a hospital setting
- feeling isolated or depressed
- developing the ability to express their thoughts and emotions
- Recovering from a substance use disorder.
Uses of Recreational therapy:
Recreational therapy has wide-ranging positive impacts on your physical and mental health. This is especially the case when the therapy is designed around your individual interests and needs.
Improves symptoms of depression
Many therapeutic recreation programs get people up and moving and stimulating their minds with engaging, creative tasks.
Increases self-esteem
Research shows that recreational therapy may help improve a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
Strengthens social connections
Illness, injury, and disability can limit your ability to interact with people. Recreational therapy provides opportunities to engage with other people in positive ways, which can counteract feelings of isolation.
Improves functional independence after an injury
In many cases, a serious injury can affect your ability to do routine tasks. Taking care of your home, exercising, playing with your children or grandchildren — these activities may be difficult or impossible after an injury. Recreational therapy can make a difference in the level of functional independence after a serious injury.
Increases strength and physical fitness
Recreational therapy often includes exercise, games, dance, yoga, tai chi, and other kinds of movement may help improve your balance, physical strength, and flexibility.
Boosts cognitive abilities
It’s important to bear in mind that recreational therapy can’t fully restore areas of the brain that have been permanently damaged.
Relieves anxiety for children who are hospitalized
Therapeutic play gives children opportunities to build positive relationships with hospital staff, to talk about their feelings, and to develop a sense of control and confidence at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable.
Conclusion:
Recreational therapy uses leisure activities to promote recovery from illness, injury, or disability. Activities might include art, dance, music, exercise, creative writing, and games of all types.
Working with a trained recreational therapist can improve your mood, reasoning abilities, memory, physical fitness, and self-confidence. Researchers believe the combination of physical movement, creativity, social interaction, and mental engagement helps to deliver this wide range of health benefits.