Nature and Background of Outdoor Recreation PDF

Lesson 1 Nature and Background of Outdoor Recreation Recreation is derived from the Latin word recreare which means to be refreshed. Choices for recreation vary from person to person. What makes one happy may not be so for others. Therefore, recreational ac...

Lesson 1 Nature and Background of Outdoor Recreation Recreation is derived from the Latin word recreare which means to be refreshed. Choices for recreation vary from person to person. What makes one happy may not be so for others. Therefore, recreational activities depend on one's interests, pursuits, and needs which may be reflective of one's beliefs and level of gratification. For example, a natural park may serve as a bonding place for a family to have a picnic, a great fitness area for a jogger, and a place to commune with nature or meditate for others. According to Wikipedia, outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation engaged in out of doors, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are being carried out in. These activities can include fishing, hunting, backpacking, and horseback riding — and can be completed individually or collectively. Outdoor recreation is a broad concept that encompasses a varying range What are the different outdoor recreational activities? The Philippines is rich in natural resources. Despite being a relatively small country, it is surrounded by all kinds of land formations and natural water resources. It has been listed in The World Factbook (Maps of World, n.d.) as having the fifth (5th) longest coastline in the world. Its natural environment has so much to offer, whether on land, on water, or even in the air. It hosts varied outdoor recreational activities, some of which are the following: The benefits of outdoor recreation Physical activity: Outdoor recreation helps maintain physical health. Mental health benefits: Spending time in nature positively affects mental health. Socializing: It provides opportunities to connect with others and build social connections. Environmental awareness: Being outdoors increases awareness of the environment. Health Benefits of Outdoor Recreation 1. Improves your mental wellbeing Your mental wellbeing greatly improves when you exercise outdoors. One of the reasons for this is the awareness that your mind has throughout the exercise, particularly with the changing terrain and weather. Unlike in the gym where the floors are flat and benches evenly positioned, the terrain outdoor includes winding paths, hills, woods, and valleys. You are forced to be focused and alert at all times and that alone benefits your mental health. 2. Best way to get Vitamin D Your bones and blood cells need a lot of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D for them to be healthy. Working out under the sunlight helps your body to absorb these minerals seamlessly. Also, getting 5-15 minutes of sun at least once every two days gives your body all the Vitamin D it needs.  3. Boosts self- -esteem Spend time with friends doing different outdoor activities. This effect is particularly strong when you spend time near water, green areas, and within sounds of nature such as waterfalls. 4. Promotes memory Nature walks have shown a significant relevance in memory retention among humans. Walking around trees, for example, promotes your memory by more than 20%.  5. Stress-reduction -effects Muscle relaxation and visualization can ease tension in your body. - Improve sleep, and give you more control over your emotions. 6. Reduces anxiety - Calming down an anxious mind. - Experienced the calming nature of Mother Nature even if it is through a house plant or pictures of nature. 7. Improves the quality of your sleep Your sleep cycle is dependent on the accurateness of your internal clock. If the clock isn’t working right, then you will have a hard time regulating your night's sleep. 8. Boosts your immunity Morning sunlight boosts your Vitamin D levels. The more the Vitamin D your body gets, the stronger its immune system becomes. 9. Helps burn some unwanted fat - while out doing water activities, you burn tons of calories and unwanted fats. - better sleep facilitates. - faster weight loss, the role of outdoor time in your physical fitness can never be overemphasized. Social Benefits of Outdoor Recreation - families to become closer. - They can be a “family-bonding activity” as each family member participates in an activity, achieves a common goal, and goes through the same experience. - Spending time outdoors allows one to meet and interact with others who share the same passion for outdoor recreation. - Help form lasting friendship and develop a community. Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation - relaxed body and mind tend. - be more productive at work. Spiritual Benefits of Outdoor Recreation - Positive outdoor experiences can stir up spiritual values. - It strengthens an individual as it heals, rejuvenates, and soothes the body and soul. What are the important things that should be remembered when participating in an outdoor recreational activity? This way, everyone can continue to go back and have future generations experience the great things in nature that the current generation has. The “Leave No Trace Seven Principles” is a set of universal outdoor ethics that guides one in the activities to do with nature. It also provides the framework for making decisions in outdoor recreation. Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare Before going to a place, check if your planned activity is permitted. Make sure to know the rules, guidelines, and safety procedures they have set. Some places require certain permits or clearances. Make sure you have the needed equipment for your activity and the skills needed to undertake the activity. Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Walk, run, bike, or camp on durable surfaces like established tracks, rocks, gravel, and dry grasses. Avoid walking on soft surfaces like soft plants. You might be trampling on a young tree or pasture and this will cause vegetation damage. Principle 3: Dispose Waste Properly Pack it in, pack it out” means everything you brought should be brought back with you including left-over food or fruit peel. Nothing should be left. Principle 4: Leave What You Find Leave nature as you found them. Do not take any plant, rock, plants, or marine animal with you. Examine archeological structures, old walls, and other heritage artifacts but do not touch nor leave marks on them. Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts Use lightweight stove for cooking; campfires can cause lasting impacts. If fires are permitted, use fire rings or mound fires that are already set-up. Principle 6: Respect Wildlife Observe wild animals from a distance and they should be avoided during sensitive times such as mating, nesting, or rising the young. Principle 7: Be considerate of Other Visitors Respect people who live and work in the countryside. Respect other visitors and let them have a momentous experience as well. Allow the sound of nature prevail, not your noise or radio. Be courteous; yield to others on a trail. Camp away from trails and other visitors. 1. HOW DO RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL WELL-BEING? 2. WHAT BENEFITS CAN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDE? WHY? 3. HOW DOES RECREATION BENEFIT AND CONTRIBUTE TO HUMAN HAPPINES?