Bradley Hospital Parenting Guide:
Healthful Leisure

Why Is Leisure Important?

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Most family problems are normal. However, if you feel helpless or overwhelmed, you can call Bradley Hospital.

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401-432-1000

Leisure provides many benefits:

An opportunity to examine personal values, to focus on what is important to you. It gives you the balance you need to deal with your non-leisure activities.
Relief from stress and boredom. It can help promote not only better emotional health but physical health as well.
A feeling of control. Job or school demands might not give us that freedom.
Enhanced communication skills and self-esteem. Shy or introverted people can benefit from group activities that are based on shared interests.
Wider horizons. You can meet new people, learn new things and gain valuable perspective.
A positive teaching model for children, who often learn better by example than by words alone. Your own behavior in group or family activities helps teach your children about:
- Communication with others
- Relationships with all kinds of people
- Socially acceptable behavior
- Negotiation and cooperation
- Feelings and emotions
- Listening
- Playing
- Reading habits
- Your values