Therapeutic Recreation: What Are the 3 Main Goals
Recreational therapy uses fun and engaging activities to aid in the recovery of those dealing with illness or disabilities. This type of therapeutic recreation involves a variety of activities to engage the mind and the body in various ways. Both adults and senior citizens can benefit from this type of therapy. It is especially useful for those with mental issues to help them express themselves and engage more with those around them.
At Fairview Rehab And Nursing Home in Queens, NY, we offer a variety of therapeutic recreation activities for adults and seniors. These include quizzes, games, calculations, drawing, and writing. Such activities can improve cognitive brain functions. Our therapists also offer emotional support for those participating in these activities to meet the goals discussed below.
Therapeutic Recreation Helps With Brain Health
One of the most important ways that having fun is beneficial is by improving and maintaining brain health. It does this in a variety of ways. First, it can boost your cognitive abilities. Games like memory, chess, or card games can stimulate your mind. This increases many brain functions, like logic, reasoning, memory, and even sustained attention.
As well as improving your brain’s function, therapeutic recreation helps with emotional health. Illnesses and disabilities can cause a great deal of stress, which can lead to negative emotions. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and even low self-esteem.
Activities like dance, drama, and music therapy can have positive effects on these types of issues. They boost endorphins in your brain, resulting in a more positive outlook while decreasing those negative emotions.
Recreation therapy helps to improve social skills
Therapeutic recreation can help improve social skills since many of the activities involved require group participation. Card games, board games, dancing, sporting activities, and art can be done with several people. This allows patients to interact with each other. These positive engagements can counter feelings of isolation.
Over time, those involved in recreation therapy may seek out others to interact with on their own. This is especially true with those that they have formed a strong bond with during their activities.
When allowed to choose recreational therapy activities that interest them, there could be other benefits as well. When succeeding in tasks they enjoy, self-esteem and self-confidence are both improved, which also helps with social skills. The better a person feels, the more willing they will be to interact with those around them.
It is great for physical health
Recreational therapy includes a variety of physical activities as well as those that stimulate your mind. These can include yoga, dance, sports, exercise, and other types of movement. These tasks can help improve motor functions, balance, flexibility, and strength.
For those dealing with illnesses or disabilities that have restricted motor functions, these activities can get them up and moving. A healthy body is as important as a healthy mind, so these activities can speed up recovery time. Some physical activities require group participation, which can also aid in social interaction.
A recreational therapist can help a person choose the right activity based on their current abilities and the goals they wish to meet.
This article contains informational and educational materials and does not replace health or medical advice. For questions or concerns regarding your medical condition or health objectives, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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