Overview

Therapies help people dealing with physical, emotional or mental health issues. When the person suffering is connected with the therapist specialised in the same area helps the person to improve their behaviour, skills, quality of life and also social skills.

Recreational therapy is a systematic process that utilises the recreation of activity which addresses the needs of the individuals with illness or disability and improves their psychological and physical health for recovery and overall well-being. This therapy uses the person's hobbies and everyday activities to improve the physical, emotional and mental health of people with illness and disabilities.^1,2

Recreational therapy helps in promoting the quality of life and reduces the limitation that is caused by the disease condition. In this article, we can discuss the benefits of this therapy.

Understanding recreational therapy

The aim  of recreational therapy is to improve and maintain the physical, emotional and social well-being of a person. Recreation therapy is conducted by trained experts or by certified therapeutic recreational specialists, activities or the treatment plan are tailored according to the individual’s needs and symptoms of their disease condition.¹ The main clinical functions included in the therapy are the following: 

• Assessing the requirements, abilities and interests of the individual who needs the therapy
• Creating a personalised treatment plan that includes all requirements to attain the specific goal
• Evaluating the progress of the individual throughout the process and making adjustments according to the progress and response of the individual towards the therapy

Where can recreational therapy take place?

Recreational therapy is performed in various settings with certified therapeutic recreational experts, some of the places are: 

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Mental health settings
• Rehabilitation settings
• Nursing facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Long-term care facilities
• Local community settings
• Child care services
• Private practice

Conditions which are well suited to recreational therapy

Recreational therapist creates a plan according to the individual’s disease condition and interests, some of the conditions suited for recreational therapy are: 

• Rehabilitation from surgery, illness or injury
• Having depression or loneliness
• Having anxiety
• Recovering from a stroke
• Cancer patients
• Getting treatment for substance abuse
• Having difficulty sleeping
• Low self-esteem and having no social connections
• Trying to improve motor skills

Recreational therapy activities

Recreational therapy includes a treatment plan that includes a variety of activities that are designed particularly for the individual based on their need and interests. Some of the activities may include: 

• Gardening therapy
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Arts and crafts therapy
• Sports and exercise
• Outdoor activities therapy
• Music therapy³
• Creative writing
• Cooking class
• Yoga
• Dance^4,5
• Board games

Benefits of recreational therapy

Recreational therapy helps the physical and psychological health of the affected individual, it is very helpful to children, adults and elderly people. This therapy cannot fully restore a permanently damaged mind or body but can improve its functioning.² It improves the overall well-being of the patient and some of the benefits are: 

1. Reduces symptoms of depression and stress

Recreational therapy has various forms of activities that help create a change in the individual’s lifestyle and stimulate their mind by making them do engaging tasks like walking, running, working out at the gym, and doing creative tasks. Music therapy, art therapy, dance and drama also have positive effects on symptoms of depression and decrease stress.^3,4,5

Research has shown that listening to music can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood which helps in elevating the mood. Participating in recreational therapy helps in getting sleep at night, maintaining energy during the day time and improving positive thinking.³

2. Increases self-esteem

Recreational therapy helps in improving self-care, the way to respond to your emotions and the ability to control and handle them. During the activity, some people may be frustrated and will be struggling. The activity helps to process the feelings by talking about them and understanding them. This helps in productive ways to handle their feelings and have control over their emotions.⁶

Good mental health is achieved by participating in such activities and this gives a sense of success and helps in doing things independently. Recreational therapy motivates the individual’s existing skills or helps in learning new skills. 

3. Improve social interaction

Elderly people, Illness, injury and disability may restrict or isolate their relationship with friends, family and neighbours. Loneliness can cause more negative feelings and can lead to depression. Recreational therapy helps in reconnecting with people and also encourages them to have new relationships. Therapy helps to improve their communication skills making them comfortable in talking to others, this helps in becoming more confident in social situations. Stronger social relationships help to build better health.⁷

4. Improves functional independence after an injury

After being in a serious accident it can often cause difficulty in doing routine activities. Doing the household chores, exercising, playing with children or grandchildren, and going to work, these activities may be difficult or impossible to do. Recreational therapy helps in obtaining independence in doing routine activities or motivating them in ways to do work.⁸

5. Reduces anxiety

Being treated in a hospital for chronic disease conditions makes the individual feel stressed, afraid and have negative thoughts. Recreational therapy helps the patient to have a positive relationship with the doctor and the hospital staff, which helps develop self-confidence and positivity towards the treatment.⁸

6. Builds confidence

Recreational therapy helps in building up confidence by engaging in challenging activities. Encouraging them to improve the talents they have and helping them explore new talents. The therapy helps to improve their reasoning abilities, memory, physical fitness and self-confidence.

7. Increases strength and physical fitness

Recreational therapy includes exercise, games, yoga, and dance which helps in improving physical strength, balance, flexibility and movement. In children and adults, it helps improve focus, speed and social communication. Some research has given evidence of using exercise and physical activity in treating people with substance use.⁹

8. Increase cognitive function

Recreational therapy includes physical exercise, social interaction, board games and memory challenges. These activities stimulate the brain, improve its functioning and improve a healthy mind. Thinking, challenges and mental activities help in maintaining a healthy functioning of the brain.^10,11

Summary

Recreational therapy is a systematic process that utilises the recreation of activity which addresses the needs of the individuals with illness or disability and improves their psychological and physical health for recovery and overall well- being. Recreation therapy is conducted by trained experts or by certified therapeutic recreational specialists. This therapy uses the person's hobbies and everyday activities to improve the physical, emotional and mental health of the people with illness and disabilities. This therapy cannot fully restore a permanently damaged mind or body but can improve its functioning. The therapist evaluates the progress of the individual throughout the process and makes adjustments according to the progress and response of the individual towards the therapy.

FAQs

What is the use of recreational therapy?

Recreational therapy helps to improve or maintain the physical, emotional and social well-being of a person. Treatment is planned according to the interests and symptoms of the disease condition.

What are the effects of recreational therapy?

Recreational therapy improves the individual’s social, physical and mental functions using activities like dance, board games, walking, cooking, yoga and interaction with pets.

Difference between recreational therapy and behavioural therapy?

Recreational therapists plan a course of treatment which includes communication, activities such as board games, and physical activities. They coordinate medical treatment which helps to maintain and improve patient’s physical, social and mental well-being.

Behavioural therapy is also known as talk therapy, where a counsellor plans an interactive treatment. Where it focuses on thoughts, beliefs, actions and feelings. Long term goal is to create a strong, healthy thinking and behavioural way to achieve a better quality of life.

Does recreational therapy reduce stress?

Recreational therapy helps in reducing stress by engaging them in activities. Walking, games, music therapy and dance have positive effects on the mind, reduces stress and also help in controlling emotions.