Health and Social Care Role of Leisure

Health and Social Care

Role of leisure activities in well being

Leisure activities are defined as activities an individual participates in outside work, business, or domestic chores. Some of the leisure activities an individual can undertake to promote their well being include gardening, bicycling, dancing, aerobics, swimming, hiking, jogging, bowling, and playing a musical instrument. According to research, participating in leisure activities improves an individual's well being and their health. Leisure activities contribute directly to an individual's psychological well being. This is based in them experiencing positive emotions and moods. Individuals are also able to build positive relationships and also strengthening of their immune system. Leisure activities also provide a moderating effect on stress and reduce the effects of stress. Children who participate in leisure activities have also been shown to have higher grades. The children also have a higher academic competence. The children displayed social competence and psychological maturity.

Trying out new activities allows a person to learn something new and challenge their mental capability. A new activity requires a person to learn how the activity is performed, and this provides them with new knowledge. Learning something new also helps the brain to be active as it needs to remember and master this new skill. Challenging the body to perform new activities also helps an individual to work out the muscles they have not been using. This is because with each new activity an individual starts using different muscles, and this allows them to improve their well being. Psychologically, learning a new activity provides an individual with an avenue to relieve stress. When a person is concentrating on something new, their mind will be focused on this task, and they will forget about anything that causes them stress.

Person-centered thinking

Person-centered thinking is a methodology of empowering individuals who require support and services because of chronic illnesses or disabilities, in order for them to maintain a positive control on their lives Cresswell, 2011.

The main principle of this approach is that support and services should be centered on what is important for an individual, while addressing what is vital for the individual's disability or health condition. Person-centered thinking empowers individuals as it supports their inclusion in everyday decision, and activities. It also challenges the many stereotypes and myths that exclude these individuals from fully participating in the community. A good illustration of person-centered thinking is the simple change of language. Changing the way people refer to person with disabilities will allow them to accept the disabled person as an individual who has special desires, characteristics, and needs instead of a label. Allowing individuals with disabilities or chronic diseases to make a personal decision regarding their daily choices will give them enjoyment. Continuous participation in decision making allows individuals to experience an improved quality of life.

The person-centered tools will provide the individual with an opportunity to describe the things that would work for them, their preferred relationship circle, and encourage them to remain positive. The tools that can be used in person-centered thinking include sorting To/For, good day/bad day, 4+1 questions, learning log, and one-page profiles. Sorting To/For will assist an individual to think about the things that are important TO a person. These are the things that are mostly matter in their lives. This tool will also help the individual to think about the things that are important FOR a person. These are the things necessary for them to stay safe and healthy. The good day / bad day tool provides the individual with the opportunity to think about what would make a good day for them, and what would make a bad day. This tool allows the individual to learn more about the activities, routines, people, and objects that matter to them, and how they can ensure they have more good days than bad days.

Using the 4+1 questions will provide an individual and people who care about them to think together. These questions provide an opportunity for everyone to voice their concerns and share their experiences. The learning log tool encourages the individual and the people within their circle to record what they learn from planning and putting their plans into action. A one-page profile is a tool that allows an individual to specify whom they are and how best others can support them. This tool normally has three pages namely appreciation, important things to the person, and how the person can be supported. The one-page profile provides an individual with the opportunity to start a detailed person-centered description.

Legislation has promoted person-centered thinking by mandating for the use of person-centered planning in order to support people with disabilities. Disabled persons are also required to be treated as other people and their disability should not be used to discriminate them in any way. When supporting individuals a person should ensure they refer to them and treat them as other individuals. Paying close attention to their one-page profile will allow a person to establish how to show them appreciation, what they like and how to support the individual. Some of the challenges that might be faced when implementing person-centered thinking are failure for the individual to express them self, negativity based on the person's disability, lack of control in the person's life, and lack of involvement from the person's family and circle.

These challenges can be overcome by encouraging the individual and people in their circle to develop a positive attitude. The positive attitude will allow the individual to accept their situation and start viewing them self in a positive manner. Another way is encouraging the individual to start taking control of their life and future. Providing the disabled person with an avenue for saying the help they need, how they prefer to live their life, giving them opportunities, and developing their local capabilities, will also assist in overcoming the challenges.