Time Gap Analysis
Maximizing leisure time through exercise, socializing and playing games among other activities contributes to mental wellness by releasing stress and strengthening connection with others. These are outlined below.
Leisure Time
Sports, Exercise and Recreation
- The BLS' 2018 American Time Use report defines this activity category as including attending, participating, or watching sports, exercise, and recreation activities.
- The 2017 State of Women's Wellness US survey (latest version) placed fitness as the number one factor positively affecting women's mental and emotional wellness.
- 21% of women across all generations ranked it as the number one factor for personal wellness.
- 25% of Millennial women identified fitness as the number one factor affecting personal wellness.
- 21% of female Boomers identified fitness as the number one factor affecting personal wellness.
- 19% of Gen X females identified fitness as the number one factor affecting personal wellness.
- Sociologist Liana Sayer observed that women, especially mothers, are made to feel guilty for taking time for recreation such as socializing or enjoying exercise and recreation.
- Women feel they should spend more time on their children rather than pursuing sports, exercise or recreation.
- However, men generally do not need to justify the same need to enjoy leisure time.
- The Women's Health Matters organization in California stresses that taking time to exercise is beneficial to women's mental health and overall wellness whether they have a condition or not.
- Exercise has been shown to improve sleep and ease anxiety.
- Staying active has also been shown to improve memory and increase energy levels.
- Dr. Valerie Taylor of Women's College Hospital said, "I think exercise should be part of a wellness program for all of us... So if you make this ‘me time’ something that you do to prioritize your own health, that can only be good."
Socializing and Communication
- The State of Women's Wellness survey identified socializing as the second top factor positively affecting women's mental and emotional wellness.
- 13% of women across all generations ranked social life and trusted relationships as the second top factor for personal wellness.
- 19% of Millennial women identified it as the second top factor affecting personal wellness.
- 11% of female Boomers identified social life and trusted relationships as the second top factor affecting personal wellness.
- 10% of Gen X females identified it as the second top factor affecting personal wellness.
- According to Medical News Today, face-to-face contact is similar to a 'vaccine' that triggers the nervous system to release neurotransmitters that regulate stress and anxiety.
Watching TV
- BLS includes this activity category under general leisure activities along with reading, relaxing or thinking, playing or listening to music, using computer for leisure, playing games, and other related activities.
- The State of Women's Wellness survey identified watching informative TV as a way for women to feel informed, empowered, and in control of their wellness.
- 8% of women across all generations watched informative television to feel informed, empowered and in control of their wellness.
- 10% of Millennial women watched informative television to feel informed, empowered and in control of their wellness.
- 7% of female Boomers watched informative television to feel informed, empowered and in control of their wellness.
- 8% of Gen X females watched informative television to feel informed, empowered and in control of their wellness.
- Woman's Day reported that watching TV is beneficial for women's emotional and mental health.
- Dr. Barna Donovan at Saint Peter's University in New Jersey said that strong female role models inspire women: "Fictional entertainment inspires women to persevere through the ups and downs and challenges of everyday life through on-screen heroines who triumph through tough times or strive to achieve their dreams."
- Psychologist and researcher Alexis Conason said that watching TV recharges the mind by providing an escape from daily stresses, an important factor for wellness.
- Watching TV also offers an outlet for expressing repressed emotions, which can be a way to recharge.
- Dr. Michael Grabowski of the Neuroscience and Media stated that fiction can give viewers a new perspective and model positive behavior in similar real-life situations.
- Laughing at TV comedy can also act as a 'dynamic coping mechanism' to release physical energy generated by stress.
- Lastly, TV and entertainment challenges viewers to exercise their imagination, contributing to overall mental wellness.
Reading
- The BLS report includes this activity category under general leisure activities along with watching TV, relaxing or thinking, using computer for leisure and other related activities.
- The State of Women's Wellness survey identified reading trusted books as a way for women to feel informed, empowered, and in control of their wellness.
- 19% of women across all generations identified reading trusted books as a way to feel informed, empowered, and in control of their wellness.
- 22% of Millennial women read trusted books to feel informed, empowered, and in control of their wellness.
- 19% of female Boomers read trusted books to feel informed, empowered, and in control of their wellness.
- 18% of Gen X females read trusted books to feel informed, empowered, and in control of their wellness.
- Integris outlines several ways reading can benefit mental health and wellness in general.
- It only takes an average of six minutes of reading a good book for a person to relax.
- Reading reduced stress by 68% and was the highest-ranked form of relaxation.
- Reading helps people sleep and find a mental pathway to restfulness.
- It can also help slow memory decline by keeping the brain active.
Playing Games and Computer Use for Leisure
- BLS includes this activity category under general leisure activities which include playing board, card or digital games as well using a computer or surfing the Internet for personal interest.
- The State of Women's Wellness survey identified work-life balance as a top factor positively affecting women's mental and emotional wellness.
- 8% of women across all generations ranked work-life balance as a top factor for personal wellness.
- 11% of Millennial women identified work-life balance as a top factor for personal wellness.
- 5% of female Boomers identified work-life balance as a top factor for personal wellness.
- 7% of Gen X females identified work-life balance as a top factor for personal wellness.
- According to HelpGuide, play benefits adults as a form of relaxation and stimulation.
- The article reports that play relieves stress by releasing endorphins which provide a feeling of well-being.
- Playing games such as chess and puzzles also improves brain function and prevents poor memory.
- Play also helps stimulate the imagination and encourage people to be creative in solving problems.
- Engaging in play with others helps strengthen relationships and social connection.
- Play helps adults feel energetic, increase vitality, and boost their resistance to disease.
- Additionally, play with other adults can heal emotional wounds by reinforcing positive behavior and actions.