Recreation Therapy Month shines a spotlight on something that often gets overlooked in discussions about the aging journey: the power of meaningful, purposeful activity to support our physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, particularly as we age.
A common misconception about recreation therapy is that it is “just games” or seen as something only for people living in long-term care (LTC) or retirement homes. In reality, recreation therapy isn’t just about “staying busy”—it’s about engaging in activities that are enjoyable, goal-oriented, supportive of our overall health and well-being, and bring meaning to our lives. These activities can include arts and crafts, music, games, movement, gardening, social gatherings, sports, or lifelong learning.
Why Participation Matters
As we age, our routines, lifestyles, bodies, and minds often experience changes. You may find there seem to be a lot more hours to fill in the day than ever before. How we fill that time and the opportunities we engage in matter. Participating in recreational activities can:
- Support physical health through purposeful movement.
- Improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
- Boost cognitive function through problem-solving and learning.
- Strengthen social connections and combat feelings of loneliness.
- Bring feelings of meaning and purpose to our lives.
Doing things you genuinely enjoy—whether that’s painting, joining a walking group, playing cards, or volunteering—keeps the mind active and the days meaningful.
Tips to Incorporate Recreation Therapy Activities Into Your Life
- Start with what you enjoy.
Think about activities you’ve always loved or wanted to try. Enjoyment is key to beginning and maintaining participation. - Invite friends and family.
Join a group, class, or club and invite your friends and family to join you. Participating with others can add accountability and connection. Social interaction is key to brain health and is an important benefit of recreation therapy. - Schedule activities into your day, like you would a meeting or appointment.
Treat recreation opportunities as “not to be missed”, not as an afterthought. - Be open to trying new things.
Your abilities and interests may change over time—and that’s okay. Be willing to try new things. Exploring new opportunities helps support brain health as we age.