Introduction
Leisure allows us to unwind, recharge, and enjoy life (Csikszentmihalyi et al., 2017). In this essay, I will describe my leisure activities—football and working out—and what motivates and limits me. I will also consider how gender, family, and culture affect my leisure behavior and well-being. Finally, I will discuss how my leisure philosophy matches academic research.
Personal Understanding of Leisure and Recreation
I define leisure as any activity I enjoy that relaxes and recharges me. Recreation, on the other hand, is what I do for fitness, cerebral stimulation, and personal improvement. Leisure and recreation have changed my perspective this term. Before this term, I only thought of leisure and recreation as entertainment. I now realize that leisure and recreation include a wider range of activities that can improve our health and quality of life.
Description of Leisure Activities
Football: I like playing football with my pals since it is a team sport. If the weather permits, we usually play at a neighboring park on the weekends, where we play every Sunday morning according to a set timetable. We take turns selecting the teams and setting up the games, and we often play for about two hours. I have played football for a long time and find it mentally and physically stimulating.
Working Out: Another recreational activity I like is working out. I usually exercise at a nearby gym, mixing cardio and strength training exercises into my routines. Three to four times a week, I typically work out for an hour at a time in the evenings. Although I often exercise alone, I sometimes exercise with a buddy who frequents the gym. Exercise enables me to maintain my physical fitness, control my stress, and enhance my general well-being.
Motivations for Leisure Participation
Football and exercise are my favorite pastimes for many reasons. I appreciate and find pleasure in these hobbies. First, football allows me to exercise, which is crucial for my health. It keeps me busy and alert due to its brisk pace. It also gives a social outlet and an opportunity to get out with pals. My buddies and I like playing football together, which strengthens our bonds.
My second recreational activity is working out. Working out makes me feel good and helps me improve. The pressures of my everyday life help me relax and clear my thoughts, knowing that Accomplishment and growth boost self-esteem and confidence. In general, I appreciate these recreational activities. They improve my physical and emotional health and provide me with achievement and social connection. These interests give me a feeling of purpose and happiness, which is essential for a healthy and balanced existence.
Factors Enabling Leisure Participation
Many variables allow me to play football and work out. First, I have the right gear, a gym membership, and a football field nearby. These resources make my favorite leisure activities easy to do. Second, I am supported in my leisure activities where. Friends and family know I love football and working out, so they encourage me to do both. They recognize the value of leisure in my life and will alter their schedules to accommodate it. My gym also provides group training programs, which make exercising more fun and keep me motivated.
Moreover, I also emphasize leisure and schedule it routinely. My weekly routine revolves around my leisure activities. I play football with my mates on weekends and train in the morning before work. I keep a decent work-life balance and do not lose out on my hobbies by doing so. Having the means and support systems and prioritizing leisure allow me to enjoy my favorite pastimes. It lets me relax, enjoy my interests, and stay healthy.
Influences on Leisure Behavior
Family, gender, and culture affect leisure behavior (Csikszentmihalyi et al., 2017). This section will explore how these elements affect my leisure choices and experiences.
Leisure behavior depends on gender. Research reveals that gender norms and expectations might affect people’s leisure activities and behavior. I have been brainwashed to think football and weightlifting are for males. These hobbies generally include strength, agility, and competitiveness, which are masculine traits. Knitting and cooking are more feminine; thus, guys may want to do something other than them. While gender norms are evolving, they nevertheless influence leisure behavior.
The family also influences leisure behavior. Football, in particular, has always been supported by my family. My father was a football coach, and I remember playing catch with him in the backyard and going to games. I will keep playing because of this good reinforcement. My family has urged me to emphasize other elements of my life over leisure pastimes as I have become older. My parents worried that I would spend too much time playing football and not enough time studying or socializing in college.
Leisure behavior also depends on culture. Being a Westerner, I have been exposed to various leisure activities inspired by American pop culture. American football and fantasy football were my childhood pastimes. These hobbies are still part of my spare time. Nonetheless, I acknowledge my cultural limits. I have never played rugby, which is popular in many cultures. My lack of exposure shaped my opinion of the sport.
Leisure and Personal Well-Being
Leisure activities may significantly impact personal well-being (Getzels et al., 2017). In this context, I will address how playing football and working out as a hobby either improve or harm my physical, emotional, and social well-being in this part.
Physical Well-Being:
Both playing football and working out have several positive effects on my physical health. I can maintain a healthy weight, increase my muscular strength, and enhance my cardiovascular health by frequently engaging in these activities. They also assist me in controlling my stress levels, which may often negatively affect my physical health. However, these hobbies may also cause harm to my physical health in the form of injuries. Particularly in football, there is a substantial danger of sprains, fractures, and concussions. While these hazards may be reduced with the right tools, preparation, and playing methods, they are still possible and may have long-term effects.
Emotional Well-Being:
My mental well-being is positively impacted by both football and exercise. They assist me in better controlling my emotions and provide me a release for my tension and worry. I can decompress, concentrate on the here and now, and experience success when I do these things. If I put too much emphasis on performance and Accomplishment, these activities might harm my emotional health. If I am not living up to my standards or the expectations of others, this might cause emotions of irritation, disappointment, and worry.
Social Well-Being:
My social well-being is positively impacted by both football and exercise. They provide chances to interact with others who have comparable objectives and interests. I have created enduring connections and a feeling of teamwork with my teammates via football. Another benefit of working out is connecting with people at the gym or in fitness courses. However, these hobbies could harm social well-being if they become time-consuming or exclusive. I can overlook other crucial social chances or connections if I spend less time engaged in these activities. Also, if these activities become too exclusive, they can reduce my opportunity to interact with others with different interests.
Personal Philosophy of Leisure
Personal philosophy of leisure and how it fits within my life
Leisure is crucial to a full and healthy existence. Leisure helps me relax, unwind, and enjoy life outside of work. Just like work and other duties, leisure should be a priority. I know it’s tempting to put leisure on hold, but ignoring it may lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. I make time for leisure activities even if it means forsaking other responsibilities. Leisure should also be inclusive and accessible. Regardless of origin or socioeconomic condition, everyone should be able to enjoy things that make them happy. Moreover, I understand that financial and resource restrictions might prevent people from enjoying leisure activities. So, I support groups that make leisure activities accessible to everybody.
How my philosophy aligns with societal norms and expectations
My philosophy is that leisure activities should be fun, gratifying, and self-discovering. Leisure should help one’s physical, emotional, and mental health and provide a respite from daily life. This attitude matches cultural ideals of leisure, which stress relaxation, pleasure, and personal growth.
Eudaimonia, from Aristotle, fits my leisure philosophy. Aristotle defined eudaimonia as a state of well-being and enjoyment that comes from virtue (Ryu et al., 2022). This philosophy promotes personal progress, self-discovery, and greatness. Reading, creative writing, and acquiring new skills may lead to eudaimonia in leisure time.
Flow is another philosophical notion that fits my leisure philosophy. Created by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow is a state of profound involvement and satisfaction that arises from total immersion in an activity (Csikszentmihalyi et al., 2017). Sports, music, and art are demanding yet fun ways to develop flow in leisure. Flow activities may help people feel fulfilled and successful, improving their well-being.
My philosophy of leisure also corresponds with social perceptions of leisure’s function in relaxation and stress alleviation. Leisure activities give a much-needed respite from daily life in a culture that values work and performance. Meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving activities may help people stay healthy.
On the other hand, cultural expectations of leisure may conflict with personal choices and interests. Although some enjoy solitary pursuits like reading or writing, society may value mingling and group activities. Moreover, cultural standards may emphasize athletics or outdoor recreation, which may not suit everyone’s interests or talents.
Although my leisure philosophy coincides with many cultural conventions and expectations, it’s crucial to appreciate society’s variety of tastes and interests (Hurd et al., 2022). People may choose pleasurable and meaningful leisure activities that improve their well-being by recognizing and appreciating these differences.
Academic resources concerning a personal philosophy of leisure
I used academic materials to form my leisure and recreation philosophy. The materials have shaped my leisure ideas, and many academic theories and notions match my experiences.
Firstly, “Positive Sociology of Leisure “by (Kono et al.) which investigates the intricate link between leisure and society, is a crucial resource. This material helped me grasp the larger social context of leisure and how leisure activities may promote and challenge established norms and values.
Secondly, recreation and leisure in modern society (Hurd et al., 2021) also shaped my leisure philosophy. Leisure promotes personal development, self-expression, and social involvement, and this article underlines the necessity for meaningful leisure activities to live a healthy and fulfilled life. Finally, my leisure philosophy is also influenced by Aristotle. Leisure was important to Aristotle and might provide enjoyment and contentment. He also stressed the need for self-reflection and introspection in intellectual growth.
References
Csikszentmihalyi, M., Latter, P., & Weinkauff Duranso, C. (2017). Running flow. Human Kinetics.
Getzels, J. W., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2017). From problem-solving to problem-finding. In Perspectives in creativity (pp. 90-116). Routledge.
Hurd, A., Anderson, D. M., & Mainieri, T. (2021). Kraus’ recreation and leisure in modern society. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Kono, S., Beniwal, A., Baweja, P., & Spracklen, K. (2020). Conclusion to Positive Sociology of Leisure. Positive Sociology of Leisure: Contemporary Perspectives, 351-361.
Ryu, J., Heo, J., Ellis, G., & Widmer, M. A. (2022). Leisure, eudaimonic behavior, physical activity and well-being of older adults. Journal of Leisure Research, 53(4), 595-614.
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