Have you ever spent a day doing non-work or non-study activities and then felt guilty about it? Well, don’t – leisure is good for you!

Most of the time, we are busy with our regular work (whatever it might be), our family, cooking, exercise, household chores and many other things. And while we might like some of these tasks, it is good to carve time out on a regular basis to just do what we enjoy.

Now, before you run home and binge-watch TV for the next 12 hours non-stop, let’s look at what exactly we mean by leisure, and what that involves.

Typically, we understand leisure to be ‘free time’. And while that is correct, what we do during that free time is what matters. It’s not just about doing nothing, or resting (or even only watching TV!). It is about the activity, time and the subjective meaning of the experience. In other words, the best kind of leisure is where you choose to do something which you like, which you get absorbed in completely, and which makes you feel some sense of achievement after you are done.

Research has found that this kind of leisure has many, many benefits. Apart from increasing your general sense of well-bring and contentment, it can increase your sense of confidence, your self-identity, your personal growth, happiness and it also helps in reducing feelings of depression or anxiety.

In addition, different types of leisure activities also provide have specific benefits. Such as:

• provide us with time and space to mix with other people
• allow us to appreciate our solitude
• help us develop our talents and skills
• allow us to express ourselves in creative ways
• provide intellectual or artistic stimulation
• allow us to support or encourage others
• give us a sense of comfort

So, how do you make this time for yourself?

• Schedule time in a day or week – however much you can spare on a regular basis.
• Make sure that that time is spent in things which are not your usual ‘duties’.
• Do things that you already like, or try something new. Or even mix them up.
• Stick to your schedule of leisure!

It is important that you value your leisure rather than seeing it as a waste of time. Look at it as an investment in yourself – those many benefits will be your pay-off! And if you still feel guilty or need help structuring your time to include leisure, our counsellors will be happy to help.