cilitation technique category: Leisure Education

Activity: Title: Leisure and Feelings

Source: Joselyn Whetzel of UVA Medical Center/Adult Psychiatric, June 7, 2004

Equipment: papers, pens, pencils, chalkboard

Participants: 4-10
Objective: To increase awareness of leisure activities being effective as positive coping
strategies.
Activity description: Leisure education is a process through which individuals develop an
understanding of leisure, of self in relation to leisure, and of the relationship among leisure,
their own lifestyle, and society (Mundy, p.5). Leisure Education such as Leisure and feelings
promote relaxation, pleasure, happiness, improve the general physical, cognitive, and social
well-being concentration, self-esteem, self-discipline, reduce stress improve awareness, and
enhance confidence, agility, fine and gross motor skills, etc. The purpose of this session is to
teach participants a leisure skills that can enhance the overall of their life. 1) The specialist pass
out paper and pens and have each patient write down 2-3 leisure activities that they enjoy. 2)
The specialist instructs participants to collect these papers in a basket and put aside. 3) The coach
asks clients to brainstorm feelings or emotions they enjoy or like to feel and list them on the
chalkboard leaving space under each emotions (i.e. belonging, sense of adventure, love,
happiness, sense of accomplishment, self-worth, etc.).
After finding a list of 8 feelings and emotions, participants must pull out the basket the have set
aside. 5) The therapist will pull out the papers and reach each leisure activity and ask
participants how it makes them feel (Example, how does walking in the park make you feel?

Relax, peaceful). List the leisure activities on the board under the appropriate emotions/feelings.
6) The therapist explains the participants how to get back in touch with these emotions/feelings
when the feel low or depressed.
Leadership Considerations: CTRS works in this activity is to help participants to explore

various leisure activities that can change the overall of their life. Before starting the session, in an
outdoor environment, therapist must conduct a warm up to increase participants leisure
awareness. Safety and general rules review with clients during the session are important.
Adaptations: participants with alcoho
lism and addiction. Participants with alcoholism and addiction need motivation and skills to
participate effectively in leisure education. The therapist will provide self-reinforcement to
participants to get them involved in this session.Adaptations: Participants with pathological
gambling disorders. Participants with pathological gambling are people who are impulsive and
deal with a lot of stress. Leisure and feelings may help those individuals to decrease barriers to
leisure involvement, provide services targeted at improving the physical, social, emotional, and

cognitive deficits of gamblers that obstruct their leisure involvement, and help clients understand
the relationship between leisure, health, and quality of life.
References
Joselyn Whetzel of UVA Medical Center/Adult Psychiatric, June 7, 2004