HISTORY OF RECREATION: The Romans had the Coliseum, where they watched chariot races and other entertainment.

The Greeks had amphitheaters where they viewed drama and comedy, and of course they invented the Olympics, one of the greatest entertainment sport spectacles on earth. The list goes on. Even the Bible discusses singing, dancing, music, and other forms of acceptable recreation, so even the most ancient civilizations enjoyed entertainment and recreation of some sort. The Middle Ages Life for most people in the Middle Ages was dark and difficult. More emphasis was put on work, and there was little time for leisure. However, jousting tournaments, hunting tournaments, and the earliest forms of chess, checkers, and other games developed during this time. The people worked hard, the Church forbade many forms of entertainment, but there were still leisure pastimes to help develop the growing history of leisure and recreation. The Industrial Revolution This history of leisure and recreation goes far back in time, but leisure and recreation really took off when the Industrial Revolution hit Great Britain in the 1700s. The Industrial Revolution revolutionized work in the modern world, and helped create the modern factory environment. Machines mechanized the manufacture of fabric and fibers, and this ultimately led to more leisure time for the workers. They worked long hours in the factories, but they also had time off, and most employers gave at least some holidays off. Thus, people who had labored from dawn to dusk on farms in rural England, moved to the big city, got jobs in factories, and had leisure time away from their jobs. The Industrial Revolution helped create the notion of leisure time, and it helped create a different view of work and leisure. The 20th Century If the Industrial Revolution helped create the history of leisure and recreation, the 20th century helped cement it. Workers demanded shorter working hours, paid vacations and holidays, and weekends off, leading to even more leisure time for the world's workforce. Today, work and leisure are still strictly separated, but leisure time and recreation are some of the most important aspect of modern life, showing how the history of leisure and

recreation has altered throughout time, and become increasingly popular as people gain more freedom from work and toil.

Tribal Warfare It's interesting to note that the wide separation between work and leisure in our modern society is something that wasn't necessary in early, tribal cultures. Early man (and woman), worked when it was necessary to find food or to create items they needed to live, but they did not work continually, they interspersed work with pleasure or leisure, something our society not longer enjoys. For example, in Native American societies, boys "played" at war and warfare, but this play taught them how to use a bow and arrow, useful for hunting as well as defending the tribe. Work became play, while today, the two terms are decidedly distinct. IMPORTANCE OF RECREATION: Recreation is beneficial for both physical and psychological wellbeing. It is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The need to do something for recreation is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be fun. The term recreation implies participation to be healthy refreshing mind and body. The Values and Benefits of Recreation for professionals are numerous. The charm lies in looking out something thats works out best for you. There are different types of recreation and what value and benefit you derive from it depends upon your proactiveness to try them out and incorporate them as part of working routine 1) Helps You Relax Recreational activities help you relax and give soothing effect to your nerves. It helps you release the tension and maintain equilibrium. It is one of the best relaxation techniques to help you get back to work in full form. 2) Reduces Stress- Are you feeling stress lately. Do late hours suck out the best in you? If tension is taking its toll on you then recreation activities are best for you.

3) Impacts Your Health- Recreational activities have a very good impact on your health. It is an excellent medicine for ailments which cannot be cured by any other manner. It is a natural way to stay fit and healthy in life. 4) Social Benefits- It helps you meet likeminded people and develop a favorable rapport. People who share common interest makes a joyful group that help each other to promote themselves. Importance of recreation gets reflected in the status you build for yourself. 5) Refresh the Senses- Feeling dumb? Recreation is the important and best activity to refresh your senses and prepare you for the next battle. It rejuvenates your senses and makes you feel light again. 6) Refills the Energy- Recreation activities are best mechanism to refill your energy and make you feel alive again. It is best way to charge you up when you feel exhausted and drained out. 7) Quality of Life- Recreational activities help you build self esteem and confidence. It helps you enhance the quality of life by building a positive self image. 8 ) Effective Time Utilization- When your body is at the best of its form both in terms of health and energy, recreational activities helps you utilize your time effectively. The effort you put in a certain task is way below what you could have possibly put without any recreational activity. 9) Sharpen Skills- The value and benefit of recreational activities is best seen in the form of skills that gets developed and sharpened over the period of time. You not only are inclined to learn more things but are also motivated to be at your best. 10) New Avenues- It has happened to people and it can help you too. People who enjoy it to the best of its form have developed a career in one form or the other. Conclusion: Devoting some time for recreation helps in staying healthy and achieving a peace of mind. Recreational activities serve as a way of relaxing and as researches have shown recreation on a daily basis reduces risks of diabetes and hypertension and it improves mental and physical health and improves the quality of life. These activities of recreation result in the enhancement of your interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Apart from being

a way of spending free time, recreation is a way to socialize; it is a way of being with the loved ones and enjoy. Recreation gives you an opportunity to meet new people, develop new friendships. Socializing implies being a team player making you feel as being a part of the community. A certain kind of freedom that you experience during recreation helps you feel distressed.
THEORIES OF RECREATION: Classical Theories of Play
Surplus Energy Theory Relaxation Theory Preparation (instinct/practice)

Recapitulation Theory
Cathartic Theory Compensation Theory Competence/Effectance Theory

Surplus Energy Theory

Play is motivated by a need to release surplus energy. Observe children just before recess. It does not explain why people with little energy still play. Relaxation Theory

We play because we need to relax from the stresses of our daily life. But some people dont lead stressed lives. Recreation can often be competitive & stressful. Preparation Theory (Instinct/Practice)

Play prepares us for adult life by teaching: team work, role playing, following the rules. But did Pilgrim children have a need to play computer games? Recapitulation Theory

Activities that re-enact events from our history as a race are intrinsically more rewarding. Hunting, shooting, hide-&-seek, chasing, &

throwing games are seen world-wide. But many dont reflect history! (Bungee jumping, hacky-sack, hang gliding, X-Box) Cathartic Theory

We play because we need to express disorganized or painful emotions in a harmless way. Greek catharsis theater purged people of hostile emotions. Children re-enact their punishments (scolding a doll...) Taking it out on the other team...But does it explain most recreation? (Hiking, baseball, quilting, fly fishing...) Compensation Theory

We play to satisfy psychic needs not satisfied through our work (boring, repetitive jobs...). Boredom may motivate some behavior, but boredom is not necessarily work-related. How come librarians may play chess and ditch diggers may play rugby? Doesnt fully account for motivation to play. Competence/Effectance Theory

Humans seek to optimize their level of arousal. (We turn loud music down, but, if it is too quiet & we turn it up!) We all have a need to generate interactions with our environment adult). Optimization of arousal & the need for interaction with our environment leads to the following scenario: When we have an effect (i.e. cause a reaction from our environment we get a sense of control & power. This gives us a feeling of competence which is rewarding. May account for general motivation but it cant separate play from work! No single theory can explain all recreation behavior. As managers & providers we will understand people (& their conflicts) better if we understand their motivations. Play can be the greatest motivator! It defines lifestyles, industries, & major resource allocations.

UNLOCK THESE TERMS: Recreation - Is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and

psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun". The term recreation implies participation to be healthy refreshing mind and body. - Refreshment of strength and spirits after work; a means of refreshment or diversion: hobby Recreationists - A person who seeks recreation especially in the outdoors - A person who frequently enjoys outdoor recreation, as camping and hiking. Recreology - Scientific discipline, which is focused on recreation; study of recreation Leisure - Freedom provided by the cessation of activities; especially: time free from work or duties; time when one is not working or occupied; free time:

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