Sometimes, we run out of ideas to keep us ourselves involved in the “game” of life.  Are you engaging in a leisure lifestyle? Some people think of leisure as time away from work or free-time or as being part of activities that are enjoyable.  Some people think leisure behavior is a waste of time. Leisure, by nature, is subjective and can be virtually any activity. Leisure These activities can range from low intensity to very high intensity involvement.  Some researchers categorize leisure activities into four categories. Here are the categories along with some examples:

  1. Cultural – attending a concert, church service, sporting event
  2. Physical – playing basketball, gardening, walking
  3. Social – visiting friends, networking, going to parties
  4. Solitary – meditating, listening to music, watching television

If you are feeling like you can expand your leisure repertoire, then these may be some ideas that can be of interest to enhance your leisure time as you age:

  • Very high intensity – dancing, competitive games, sexual activity
  • Moderately high intensity – serious analysis and discussion, teaching, creative activities
  • Medium intensity – sightseeing or travel, attending cultural events, participating in activities at a club
  • Moderately low intensity – light conversation, reading for pleasure, socializing
  • Low intensity – taking a nap, being in solitude, resting quietly

There are those who think that leisure does not play a role in healthy living, but it does!  Some researchers have even reported that leisure is not only related to well-being, but can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  It is healthy to derive satisfaction from leisure activities as it can promote emotional, physical, social, and mental wellness. We can live our lives constantly on the go and not taking the time to smell the plumeria, or we can decide to do something different that enhances all aspects of our lives.  It is always good to speak to a professional beforehand about your interest in activities if you live with any conditions that can get worse if there is too much intensity involved. The best advice I can give for picking a leisure activity is to do what feels like fun for you!

* This was written with a bit of help from a book titled, “Adult Development and Aging” by Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields.