1. The document discusses improving engagement in leisure activities for better work-life balance. It argues that leisure activities provide mental and physical benefits but are often crowded out by work demands.
2. The document outlines different personality types and their relationship to engaging in leisure - those prone to "flow" are fully immersed while Type A or distressed personalities struggle more.
3. Steps are proposed for developing a more engaged leisure personality like setting goals, focusing fully on activities, and living in the present moment during leisure time. Improving leisure engagement could benefit both individuals and patients.
Improving engagement in leisure activities for a healthier work-life balance
1. DePaul University
From the SelectedWorks of Mona Shattell
April 2011
Working hard to relax: Improving engagement in
leisure time activities for a healthier work-life
balance
Contact Start Your Own Notify Me
Author SelectedWorks of New Work
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mona_shattell/44
3. 270 L. BUETTNER ET AL.
On the contrary, an autotelic personality type describes a give all of his or her attention directly to the task at hand.
person who is able to “live in the moment” and derive utmost Learning to turn off extraneous devices and distractions and
pleasure from leisure experiences (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). control one’s focus on the activity at hand is one of the most
Csikszentmihalyi (1990) describes these individuals who, when powerful skills a person can develop. Example: Develop a
appropriately challenged, can derive the maximum pleasure schedule for meaningful leisure experiences and focus on it.
from the experience, and become so engrossed or wrapped up The constantly distracted mind is at the mercy of every pass-
in an activity that they experience a “flow state.” For Buettner, ing stimulus; therefore, attention is spread and diluted. With
cross-country skiing on perfect snow between old growth trees scheduled practice, this focus can become second nature and
provides her with this flow experience. Buettner feels that she leisure experiences can become more meaningful.
could slide and float during this perfect pleasure experience for 3. Being in the leisure moment: Human beings have incredible
hours or days enjoying the solitude, the sounds of the skis on capabilities for enjoyment and inner peace. With a mindful
Issues Ment Health Nurs Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of North Carolina Charlotte on 03/31/11
the snow, and the sense of peace with nature. The second author approach, each individual can gain control of thoughts, which
(Shattell) has a similar experience when wearing her tap shoes, opens the mind to experience joy and pleasure from almost
making sounds and rhythms or working on difficult step combi- anything of interest. Example: Describe the immediate en-
nations. Thus, during a flow experience the individual loses all joyment that comes from each taste, smell, sound, thought,
sense of time, yet feels challenged, capable, and able to enjoy and observation, and then allow those sensations to anchor
the moment fully. the flow experience. Look for types of trees, admire flowers,
Leisure experiences could be encouraged in our patients. In smell the natural environment, and listen for the sound of
a study of 20 individuals with various stages of cancer, Buettner birds during weekend walk in the woods.
(1980) found that, with coaching and support, some personal-
ity factors could be changed (for the better). Participants were Although these steps may be simple, some of us have to work
provided a free recreation center membership, healthy leisure hard to relax and to fully engage in leisure experiences. Others
time and active living coaching, and group support sessions. may have patients or clients who would benefit from learning
After eight weeks, participants were more gregarious, more ac- how to increase and improve their leisure experiences and to
tive, and more in control of their leisure time. More recent increase the “flow” or intrinsic rewards that can be gained from
For personal use only.
studies indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy may be use- these activities. We hope that this article will help those who
ful to encourage more autotelic qualities (Karwoski, Garratt, & work hard to relax, whether it is you or your patients.
Ilardi, 2006). This type of counseling intervention is a perfect
co-treatment for a recreational therapist and mental health nurse.
Becoming a person with more of an autotelic personality REFERENCES
must be actively practiced. Some steps to help you or your Buettner, L. (1980). Personality factors: Impact of recreation and exercise for
patients becoming more “in the moment” are as follows: cancer patients. Unpublished master’s thesis. Bowling Green State Univer-
sity, Bowling Green, OH.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience.
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Karwoski, L., Garratt, G. M., & Ilardi, S. S. (2006). On the integra-
decisions with a minimum of extra effort that allows her or
tion of cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression and positive psychol-
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In a leisure counseling session, the goal is more active living 088983906780639763
and less depressive symptoms. The leisure time activity is Mols, F., & Denollet, J. (2010). Type D personality in the general popula-
walking to work daily and hiking wooded trails with a hiking tion: A systematic review of health status, mechanisms of disease, and
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doi:10.1186/1477–7525-8–9
2. Learning to become immersed in the activity: Environ- Shattell, M. (2010). Rethinking idleness, productivity, and time management:
mental triggers, like a cell phone ringing, can set up a state A call to do nothing, more. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 31(5), 368–369.
of divided focus. A person with an autotelic personality will doi:10.3109/01612840903477653