Types of Leisure activities
This type of leisure involves movement and helps with fitness and mood.
What is physical activity or exercise?
Leisure can help reduce this feeling often associated with stress.
What is anxiety?
When you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, name one leisure activity that can help calm your mind and body
Coloring or drawing, listening to calming music, walking in nature, deep breathing, meditation, watching a lighthearted movie or show
This common mental health symptom can make it hard to start or enjoy leisure activities.
What is low motivation or fatigue?
Doing something fun after completing a chore or task is an example of this healthy habit.
What is rewarding yourself or balancing work and play?
Drawing, painting, or journaling are examples of this type of leisure.
What is creative activity?
Doing things you enjoy can increase this positive emotion.
What is happiness or joy?
When you're feeling sad or lonely, name one activity that can help you feel better.
Listening to music that matches your mood, journaling, talking to a friend or family member, reading an uplifting book, painting, writing, DIY projects
Some people avoid trying new activities because they fear this will happen.
What is being judged, failing, or not fitting in?
Setting aside a certain time each day or week for a fun or relaxing activity is called this.
What is scheduling or making time for leisure?
Watching movies, listening to music, and reading books are examples of this.
What is passive leisure?
Leisure activities can improve this part of self-worth.
What is self-esteem or confidence?
When you're feeling angry or frustrated, what’s a healthy activity to help release or manage those emotions?
High-energy exercise like running, kickboxing, or dancing; punching a pillow or using a stress ball; listening to intense music; writing an unsent letter; cleaning or organizing
When someone doesn’t know what they enjoy or hasn’t felt like trying anything new in a while, they may be experiencing this barrier
What is lack of interest or self-discovery/ losing interest in things they normally liked
Mixing solo hobbies with group activities is a good way to stay connected while also building this.
What is independence or social balance?
Volunteering or helping others in your free time is called this.
What is meaningful or service-oriented leisure?
Physical leisure can help the brain release these feel-good chemicals.
What are endorphins?
When you're feeling anxious or nervous, name something you can do to feel calmer.
Doing a puzzle or brain game, slow stretching or yoga, holding something comforting (like a blanket or stuffed animal), guided meditation or visualization, sipping warm tea or cocoa
Not having access to transportation, money, or supplies can be examples of this type of barrier.
What are environmental or financial barriers?
Doing an activity that helps you relax when you're feeling overwhelmed is an example of this.
What is a healthy coping skill?
500 – Playing card games, video games, or board games is an example of this kind of leisure.
What is recreational or social gaming?
Leisure helps people manage this type of thinking that can make mental health worse.
What is negative or intrusive thinking?
When you're feeling bored or unmotivated, what kind of leisure activity might help boost your energy or spark your interest?
Trying a new hobby (cooking, knitting, photography), learning something new, exploring a new place, playing a board or video game, volunteering
Believing that rest or fun is unimportant or a "waste of time" is an example of this inner barrier.
What is guilt, internalized shame, or a negative mindset about self-care?
This mindset helps you enjoy leisure without feeling guilty and reminds you that taking breaks is important.
What is self-care or giving yourself permission to rest?