Activity

People participate in leisure activities when they have free time in the evenings and on weekends. They are never work oriented and do not involve tasks such as housework or sleeping. Examples of leisure activities are bicycling, bowling, curling, horseback riding, golfing, hiking/walking, skating, skiing and swimming. However, not all leisure activities are sportive. Some people would rather spend their free time painting, drawing, reading, listening to music or meditating.

People who take up leisure activities are usually happier and healthier than people who don’t for a variety of reasons. First, leisure activities help people reduce their levels of stress. They can forget about their workload and family responsibilities and just enjoy the moment. Second, participating in certain leisure activities provide people an opportunity to meet others who share the same interests and sometimes even make friends. Also, leisure activities such as painting, sculpting, singing, etc. provide an artistic outlet, which is always a positive thing.

In the old days, people worked very hard and did not have time for leisure activities. The men would work long days out of the house and the women would spend all their time looking after their families. Most people didn’t even think about leisure activities. These days, most people participate in at least one leisure activity. Some people prefer to do leisure activities by themselves. For example, they may listen to music on their own or simply read books. Some people like to spend their leisure time with their families and go on hikes or go to art galleries and museums. Other people like to spend their free time with friends and go dancing, go to parties or play outdoor games such as soccer or baseball. All of these activities are fun and good for people’s mental and or physical health.

When I lived in Fredericton, I used to play golf with my husband at the local public golf course once in a while. Also, we frequently went for long walks in the parks. At that time, I did not work, so I had plenty of time to partake in leisure activities. Now, I live in Riverview and work long hours at our café. I don’t often make time for myself, so I feel stressed.

When I do manage to make time for myself, I like to play golf, walk in the park, watch action movies, and listen to music. Playing golf is very exciting, and it is a great way to relieve stress. It usually takes about 4 hours to play an 18-hole course. Besides having fun when I play, it is good exercise, which keeps me healthy and puts me in a good mood for the entire week. Going for walks on the weekend with my husband is relaxing. It makes me feel good and refreshes my mind. Finally, listening to music after work helps me to relieve mental stress and physical exhaustion. I think everyone needs to spend time doing something fun, relaxing or stimulating. Working all the time isn’t a good way to live.