Finding time for social and recreational activities in addition to work, family, and other responsibilities can be difficult. It is important to recognize when you are overloading and not taking enough time to do what is enjoyable to you. The experience of joy and other positive feelings contribute to one’s overall experience of wellness.
Becoming overwhelmed can end up reducing your motivation to do things, including going out into the community from your home. One wellness learning opportunity is to do a self-assessment of your use of social and recreational activities, and look for ways to bring more joy into your life.
Finding ways to include social and recreational time into your life has many benefits:
- Decreases stress and anxiety
- Decreases symptoms of depression
- Increases feelings of self-worth and self-esteem
- Decreases negative thinking
- Decreases boredom
- Increases socialization
- Provides healthy alternatives to drug use
- Adds positive structure to your day
- Offers healthy coping skills
No matter what community you live in, many opportunities and resources are available to you.
Recreational Resources
- 120 things to do in the Twin Cities
- Mental Health Information and Advocacy
- Libraries
- Parks and Recreation
- Community Education
- Health Clubs
- Alternatives for Exercise