Stress Relieving Pastimes - Entertainment

The average person works about 40 hours a week, sleeps about 50, and finds him or herself in the dilemma of how best to occupy the remainder. Any recreational activity, anything that is done for oneself rather than for the purposes of work, can fall under the heading of “entertainment”. Depending on the person, entertainment can basically be divided into the categories of active and passive – though there is certainly some overlap between the two. One thing, however, is for sure, which is that entertaining self is crucial to relieving the stress and tension of one’s weekly responsibilities.

Active Entertainment

Active entertainment can be anything that directly involves the participant in the activity. The most common of these is sports. Many people enjoy playing basketball, softball, tennis - or any number of other sports – for exercise and enjoyment. Even tennis lessons, which may seem at first like a school class, will eventually lead to a greater mastery of the game and greater pleasure in playing. Hiking, bicycling, and camping are also popular examples of active entertainment. They will demand some effort on your part, but that only increases the enjoyment you get from them.

Passive Entertainment

Passive entertainment is the more common form because it is easier to enjoy. Particularly at the end of a long workday, only the most dedicated people will go on a bike ride or engage in any other such activity. Most people will choose to relax and expend as little energy as possible. The most common form of passive entertainment is television viewing, which requires little or no effort on the part of the viewer. You can sit in your favorite chair and let the images wash over you. Movies, theater, radio, reading, and internet surfing are also common passive activities. Of course these do require some effort on your part, but these are cognitive demands rather than physical ones, and so people who work long hours or difficult jobs will often gravitate toward these activities, even on weekends.

Many people work jobs they don’t particularly like. All day long they look forward to the evening, and all week long they look forward to the weekend. These hours are precious because they represent our true desires, so it is imperative that we use them to the fullest extent. It is also important to mix both active and passive entertainment into the routine. Both types have their pros and cons, and it is up to the individual to figure out the right balance for his or her well-being.