If you watch a classroom full of 3rd graders for a day, it should be fairly obvious why recreation is important. By the end of the day, they look like they’re about to jump out of their own skin. The literally need to go outside and run around.

Adults are the same way; we’re just better at hiding it because most of us aren’t allowed an hour each day to play. We are expected to work, take care of our homes and families, and do responsible grown-up things. But if you take the time regularly to relax and enjoy yourself, you already know why recreation is important. Just in case you don’t, however, here are just a few of the benefits of recreation:

• Exercise – If you play sports, dance, hike, walk or jog for fun, then you are not only refreshing your mind, but you are also helping your body to stay healthy and strong. Studies have shown that regular exercise can help prevent diseases, control your weight, increase strength, improve stamina, help you sleep better, and just make you feel better in general.
• Fun and entertainment – Some people will tell you that watching TV is a waste of time, or that it kills your brain cells, but you know what? Sometimes your brain cells just need a rest, and if it makes you laugh, it’s reducing stress and creating a more positive environment, especially if the laughs are shared with other people.
• Relaxation – This is hard for some people, but relaxation is necessary for good health. Our bodies aren’t made to go non-stop all the time. We need sleep to regenerate, but we also need to consciously stop running around sometimes and just sit. Let the house get extra dusty one week, and read a good book instead of cleaning. Take your kids to the park, and let them play with other kids while you sit on a bench and soak up the sun. Lie in bed for 10 minutes after you wake up in the morning, and just listen to the birds outside. Calm your mind, and you’ll lower your blood pressure.
• Group participation – Participating in any kind of group activity – a class, theatrical production, community league sport, or pick-up game – has all kinds of benefits. Group activities help children build their social skills and help adults build their social networks. These social connections can later help the entire community because once people know each other, they are more likely to help each other and work together to make their neighborhoods better places to live.
• Fresh air – We can all agree that air-conditioning in the summer is a good thing, but sitting inside all the time, you’re breathing in all kinds of disgusting stuff, from tiny pieces of cockroaches and spiders to byproducts of your family members’ or coworkers’ flatulence. Get outside, even if it’s just to sit for 15 minutes in the sun. The sun’s vitamin D will do you good too.

Defining Recreation

Recreation is any mental or physical refreshment achieved by way of play (games, sports or hobbies), amusement or relaxation. Recreation can take many various forms, and everyone enjoys different recreational activities.

The ways that people refresh themselves are literally countless. You can do anything from building model airplanes to jumping out of real airplanes. You can:

• Read a book or magazine
• Watch a movie or YouTube videos
• Watch clouds
• Play a musical instrument
• Play ultimate Frisbee
• Go hiking
• Go swimming
• Lie on the couch
• Lie in a field
• Walk on the beach
• Walk around downtown
• Bake cookies

Whatever gets you out of your normal work life and into some sort of amusement can be considered recreation.

Recreation is important for your physical and mental health. Give it a try for a month, and see how you feel. And if you’re still not on board, just remember that in the Biblical story of creation, even God rested.

Here is a great article from Men’s Health about the 20 Best Organic Foods

Let us know what you. think!

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