THE IMPORTANCE OF LEISURE TIME

      LEISURE AND ITS IMPORTANCE                                          
                                                   
                                                         

What is the Meaning of Leisure?
When one speaks about leisure time, it simply means a period which you spend doing things other than your work. Leisure activities are meant to de-stress a person and carry the attention away from work. This could mean type of recreational activity. The primary aim is to give you sense of self.                 

Importance of Leisure

Helping to Think Clearly
Another benefit of relaxing is that it clears the mind. That is one reason why meditation is becoming ever more popular. When we don’t relax, we end up feeling stressed. The effects are felt physically, emotionally and mentally. Anyone who has worked long hours will know the feeling.
The long hours spent at work weaken the body and the mind. As the body gets tired, the mind is affected. The reason why leisure is important is that when the mental exhaustion / confusion comes in, it will help in easing the mind.
Physical Benefits
Taking the time to unwind is even more essential for those with physically taxing jobs. This includes laborers, construction workers, those employed at factories etc. Not enough rest could result in injury.
Secondly, not giving yourself the opportunity to do things you like might affect work. If all you focus on is your job, you’ll feel cheated and deprived of the good things in life.
This feeling of frustration may show up at work. Keeping yourself happy is another reason why leisure is important. A happy person, quite simply, will perform much better at work.
Various Relaxing Activities
Leisure can mean doing something you enjoy or just relaxing. Don’t feel any pressure to do something with your time. It’s your free time and you can do anything you please. Some spend it by painting or playing ball with friends. Others like to go to the movies or listen to music. And still others just prefer to sleep.
If you’ve been a workaholic, trying to relax and do something for fun can be a challenge in itself. If you feel worked up, you just need to get your mind off from work. Watch some TV or read your favorite book. It won’t take long before you discover an activity you enjoy doing.
Anytime you get time off from work, use it to do something enjoyable. Don’t waste it by going over projects you need to do, because you’ll just end up feeling stressed out.
It won’t be a waste of time. Rather it will invigorate your mind and spirit, which is why leisure is important.

 

Examples of Leisure Activities
There are two types of leisure activities you can choose from. Active leisure activities include energetic activities that even require one to use mental strength. Passive leisure activities are all about relaxation and can even mean watching a movie with friends or reading.

                                     

           

THE DANGERS OF TOO MUCH ALCOHOL INTAKE

5 POSSIBLE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL INTAKE

1. Physical Violence

Violence is commonly associated with intense alcohol use. Although not all people experience violence as a result of alcohol use, this problem is common among those who are heavily intoxicated. Violent acts may include abuse of family members, assault, and homicide. In order to prevent such occurrences, many people seek out help for alcohol addiction from drug and alcohol rehab centers.
Although alcohol use is not the primary cause of violence, it does seem to relate to the presence of violence. This may be due to the fact that alcohol tends to lower people’s inhibitions. In towns with more bars and alcohol available, the violence rate is much higher. Women are more likely to be subjected to physical violence by their partner than men are, especially if that person frequently abuses alcohol. Children are also frequent victims of alcohol-related abuse.

2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

When a person is under the influence of alcohol, they are much more likely to have unprotected sex as well as have sex with a number of different people. This risky behavior increases the chance that a person will contract a sexually transmitted disease. Unplanned pregnancy is also another consequence which may result after consuming large amounts of alcohol and engaging in irresponsible behavior.
Alcohol is often associated with sexual behavior and poor judgment, reasons which may explain risky behavior. Memory loss is another common side affects of alcohol use and a common reason why STD testing rarely occurs. Lack of STD treatment when a complication occurs may gradually worsen the condition. Also, those who already test positive for HIV typically drink alcohol on a regular basis and can be categorized as alcoholics. Prevent you or your loved ones from contracting a harmful STD and seek professional help at an alcohol rehabilitation center today.

3. Vandalism

Vandalism is a common illegal act among those under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Schools, homes, businesses and parks are all affected by vandalism. This crime costs cities thousands of dollars every year to combat. College students (typically in group living situations) will often participate in binge drinking, an act that often leads to acts of vandalism.
There are a number of different acts associated with vandalism. These include graffiti writing; destruction of public property such as street lights, street signs, and park benches; damaging private property which may include cars and store windows; theft; destroying trees and bushes; and fire starting.

4. Injury

Injury is a type of hazard which can be associated with alcohol use. Injury is different from violence in that injury is most often accidental. Types of accidental injuries caused by alcohol abuse or addiction include burns, injury from a car or boating accident (caused by drunk driving), drowning, and injury from falling.
Self-injury and suicide are other problems which occur when a person is under the influence of alcohol. 

These problems may become more frequent during this time because depressive-type feelings arise in certain people while drinking. In order to prevent serious injury from taking place, many professionals recommend alcoholic rehab at a treatment for alcoholism center. These facilities help those who suffer from alcohol addiction and enable them to live a healthier lifestyle.

5. Sexual Assault

Sexual assault and rape are common problems among those who frequently abuse alcohol. This may be in part caused by the fact that alcohol makes some people behave in a sexual manner, lowers inhibitions, causes confusion, and often prevents a person from effectively defending themselves. If a person cannot defend themselves or think clearly, they will not be able to prevent themselves from being harmed if they are sexually attacked.
While alcohol does not cause someone to commit or become subjected to sexual assault, it can contribute. In fact, approximately 30 to 40 percent of people convicted of rape and sexual assault claim to have been under the influence at the time the crime was committed. In many of these cases, the victim was also under the influence. The negative effects caused by alcohol abuse are much higher than any positive effects it causes. Seek alcoholic treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab center today to prevent any further negative effects of alcohol abuse and addiction.

DEFICIENCY DISEASES

Beriberi

 
Beriberi is a very serious disease that can prove quickly fatal in infants. It is caused by insufficient intake of vitamin B1 or thiamine. Rich food sources of this nutrient include whole grain rice, nuts and leafy green vegetables. In some nations, white rice is fortified with vitamin B1 to help prevent the development of beriberi.

Scurvy

scurvy can develop if the diet lacks ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Eating fresh citrus fruits and a variety of fresh, organically grown vegetables is all that is required to prevent, treat or cure scurvy, which rarely is seen in industrialized nations. Pernicious anemia is a condition that can develop if a person's diet is lacking in vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin. Vegans run a considerably higher risk of developing pernicious anemia than do individuals who consume meat and dairy products. Those who have insufficient amounts of the protein known as the intrinsic factor also can develop pernicious anemia.

Pellagra

Pellagra, a deadly disease, is caused by a diet deficient or lacking in vitamin B3 or niacin. Symptoms include diarrhea, depression, dermatitis, dementia, and finally death. This nutrient is abundantly provided in whole heirloom grains, nuts, seeds, bananas, figs, prunes, potatoes and legumes. Diseases caused by a deficiency of a nutrient, fortunately, usually are simple to treat and cure by supplying the body with the nutrients that it requires to maintain vital life functions

Rickets

rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults can develop if they do not receive enough vitamin D, also called calciferol. Grains, fruits and vegetables, unfortunately, are poor sources of this nutrient, which can be formed in the skin when it is moderately exposed to sunlight. In some countries, such as the United States, milk often is fortified with vitamin D to help prevent these conditions.

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health

                                        

Healthy living involves more than physical health, it also includes emotional or mental health. The following are some ways people can support their mental health and well-being.

Tips:

• Get enough sleep daily; the CDC recommends the following by age group (naps inclusive); 12-18 hours from birth to 2 months, 14-15 hours from 3-11 months of age, 12-18 hours for 1-3 years of age, 11-13 hours for 3-5 years of age, 10-11 hours for 5-10 years of age, eight and a half to nine and a half hours for 10-17 years of age and those 18 and above need seven to nine hours of sleep. Elderly people need about seven to nine hours but do not sleep as deeply and may awaken at night or wake early, so naps (like kids need) allow them to accumulate the total of seven to nine hours of sleep.
• Take a walk and reflect on what you see and hear at least several times per week.
• Try something new and often (eat a new food, try a different route to work, go to a new museum display).
• Do some mind exercises (read, do a puzzle occasionally during the week).
• Try to focus on a process intensely and complete a segment of it over one to several hours, then take a break and do something relaxing (walk, exercise, short nap).
• Plan to spend some time talking with other people about different subjects.
• Try to make some leisure time to do some things that interest you every week (hobby, sport).
• Learn ways to say "no" when something occurs that you do not want to do or be involved with.
• Have fun (go on a trip with someone you love, go shopping, go fishing; do not let vacation time slip away).
• Let yourself be pleased with your achievements, both big and small (develop contentment).
• Have a network of friends; those with strong social support systems lead healthier lives.
• Seek help and advice early if you feel depressed, have suicidal thoughts, or consider harming yourself or others.
• People taking medicine for mental-health problems should not stop taking these medications, no matter how "well" they feel, until they have discussed their situation with their prescribing doctor(s).

EXERCISE ACTIVITIES AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical activity and exercise

 

                                    

    
Physical activity and exercise is a major contributor to a healthy lifestyle; people are made to use their bodies, and disuse leads to unhealthy living. Unhealthy living may manifest itself in obesity, weakness, lack of endurance, and overall poor health that may foster disease development.

Tips:

• Regular exercise can prevent and reverse age-related decreases in muscle mass and strength, improve balance, flexibility, and endurance, and decrease the risk of falls in the elderly. Regular exercise can help prevent coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Regular, weight-bearing exercise can also help prevent osteoporosis by building bone strength.
• Regular exercise can help chronic arthritis sufferers improve their capacity to perform daily activities such as driving, climbing stairs, and opening jars.

  

• Regular exercise can help increase self-esteem and self-confidence, decrease stress and anxiety, enhance mood, and improve general mental health.
• Regular exercise can help control weight gain and in some people cause loss of fat.
• Thirty minutes of modest exercise (walking is OK) at least three to five days a week is recommended, but the greatest health benefits come from exercising most days of the week.
• Exercise can be broken up into smaller 10-minute sessions.
• Start slowly and progress gradually to avoid injury or excessive soreness or fatigue. Over time, build up to 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.
• People are never too old to start exercising. Even frail, elderly individuals (70-90 years of age) can improve their strength and balance with exercise.  

• Almost any type of exercise (resistance, water aerobics, walking, running, weights, yoga, and many others) is helpful for everybody.
• Children need exercise; play outside of the home is a good beginning.
• Sports for children may provide excellent opportunities for exercise, but care must be taken not to overdo certain exercises (for example, throwing too many pitches in baseball may harm a joint like the elbow or shoulder).

                                                                      

• Exertion during strenuous exercise may make a person tired and sore, but if pain occurs, stop the exercise until the pain source is discovered; the person may need to seek medical help and advice about continuation of such exercise.

HEALTHY LIVING

Eating (diet)

    
All humans have to eat food for growth and maintenance of a healthy body, but we humans have different requirements as infants, children (kids), teenagers, young adults, adults, and seniors. For example, infants may require feeding every four hours until they gradually age and begin to take in more solid foods. Eventually they develop into the more normal pattern of eating three times per day as young kids. However, as most parents know, kids, teenagers, and young adults often snack between meals. Snacking is often not limited to these age groups because adults and seniors often do the same.



Tips on how to eat healthily:

• Eat three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); it is important to remember that dinner does not have to be the largest meal.
• The bulk of food consumption should consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products.
• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts (with emphasis on beans and nuts).
• Choose foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars; look at the labels because the first listed items on the labels comprise the highest concentrations of ingredients.
• Control portion sizes; eat the smallest portion that can satisfy hunger and then stop eating.
• Snacks are OK in moderation and should consist of items like fruit, whole grains, or nuts to satisfy hunger and not cause excessive weight gain.
• Avoid eating a large meal before sleeping to decrease gastro esophageal reflux and weight gain.
• If a person is angry or depressed, eating will not solve these situations and may make the underlying problems worse.
• Avoid rewarding children with sugary snacks; such a pattern may become a lifelong habit for people.
• Avoid sodas and sugar-enhanced drinks because of the excessive calories in the sodas and sugar drinks; diet drinks may not be a good choice as they make some people hungrier and increase food consumption.

                                                   

• Avoid heavy meals in the summer months, especially during hot days.
• A vegetarian lifestyle has been promoted for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss; vegetarians should check with their physicians to be sure they are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and iron in their food.
• Cooking foods (above 165 F) destroys most harmful bacteria and other pathogens; if you choose to eat uncooked foods like fruits or vegetables, they should be thoroughly washed with running treated (safe to drink) tap water right before eating.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats of any type.