Outdoor Recreation: Benefits and Time Allocation

• Outdoor recreation refers to organized activities in which individuals may participate during their free time.
• Clayne R. Jensen (2006) divided a day into three parts: existence time, subsistence time and free time.

Existence Time

• Refers to the time spent maintaining biological and physiological needs.

Subsistence Time

• Denotes the time spent in school and schoolwork, work and chores.

Free Time

• Is the time an individual has after existence and subsistence time.

Benefits of Outdoor Activities

• Active lifestyle is more beneficial to physical health than a sedentary one.
• Outdoors activities include walking, climbing, running, and cycling.
• Recreational activities act as "de-stressors" .
• Time outdoors and engaging in recreational activities may boost an individuals self-esteem, morale, and creativity.
• Individuals engage in outdoor activities as a way to bond with their family members and loved ones and share interests.
• A relaxed body and mind increase work productivity and efficiency.
• Ecotourism has created jobs and promoted economic activities, contributing to economic growth.
• Outdoor recreation enhances spiritual values and calms a person.
• Nature heals, restores, rejuvenates, and soothes the mind, body, and soul.
• Physical fitness needed to carry out any outdoor activity, but does not have to be an athletic level.

Questions to Assess Physical Fitness

• Are you able to carry out your day-to-day tasks as a student with alertness and vigor without undue fatigue?
• Too much time with gadgets?
• Enough rest and sleep?
• Nutrition and eating habits?
• Dependent on fast food, chips, and sodas?
• Eating on time?
• Heavily stressed with school work?

Leave No Trace Seven Principles

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.