{"id":7100,"date":"2025-12-23T12:06:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T01:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/?p=7100"},"modified":"2026-01-03T10:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T00:00:19","slug":"so-you-have-some-leisure-time-how-should-you-use-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/2025\/12\/23\/so-you-have-some-leisure-time-how-should-you-use-it\/","title":{"rendered":"So you have some leisure time &#8211; how should you use it?"},"content":{"rendered":"<hr \/>\n<p>You didn&#8217;t think I&#8217;d stop telling you how to live your life just because you are on a break did you? I&#8217;ve been meaning to write about leisure for a while. I finally got around to it.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Nothing says \u201cI\u2019m ready to have some fun\u201d quite like reading an article about how to have fun.<\/p>\n<p>Okay, that\u2019s probably not true.<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, I\u2019ll keep this reasonably short. I\u2019m genuinely happy for you to not be reading this blog and instead using the holiday break to enjoy your life.<\/p>\n<p>You might reasonably ask why I am spending part of the holiday break writing a blog post about leisure instead of, you know, having some leisure myself.<br \/>\nAnd you\u2019d have a point.<br \/>\nA sharp one.<br \/>\nBut here we are.<\/p>\n<p>With the help of my AI research assistant (NotebookLM, today), I fed a pile of academic articles about leisure into the digital soup and asked it to spit back some wisdom. I then applied what remains of my human writing skills to turn that into something vaguely readable.<\/p>\n<p>If this helps you use your break a little better, we all win.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1609\">What Do We Mean by \u201cLeisure\u201d?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/leisure.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7113\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/leisure.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/leisure.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/leisure-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/leisure-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/leisure-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1611\" data-end=\"1771\">Leisure isn\u2019t a word the collective &#8216;we&#8217; seem to use much anymore. We\u2019ve been marinating in grind-and-hustle culture for so long that we\u2019ve almost lost the language for <em data-start=\"1755\" data-end=\"1770\">enjoying life<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1841\">But leisure is both an important word and a more important activity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"2213\">At its simplest, leisure refers to the <strong data-start=\"1882\" data-end=\"1953\">voluntary activities we choose to do in our free time for enjoyment<\/strong>. Over the years, my own leisure activities have included playing guitar, building computers, hitting a ball against a wall, gardening, photography, art, making terrible websites, starting projects I never finish, and a very short-lived interest in stir-fries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2215\" data-end=\"2316\">At a deeper level, leisure is one of the quiet building blocks of a life that feels worth living.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2318\" data-end=\"2550\">We often assume that meaning and purpose mostly come from work or study, because that\u2019s where income, contribution, and status live. But research consistently shows that leisure meets many of the <em data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2521\">same<\/em> psychological needs as work:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2552\" data-end=\"2690\">\n<li data-start=\"2552\" data-end=\"2591\">\n<p data-start=\"2554\" data-end=\"2591\"><strong data-start=\"2554\" data-end=\"2566\">Autonomy<\/strong> \u2013 choosing what you do<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2592\" data-end=\"2640\">\n<p data-start=\"2594\" data-end=\"2640\"><strong data-start=\"2594\" data-end=\"2608\">Competence<\/strong> \u2013 getting better at something and expressing strengths<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2690\">\n<p data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2690\"><strong data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2658\">Relatedness<\/strong> \u2013 feeling connected to others<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2692\" data-end=\"2911\">The difference is that leisure delivers these benefits with a much higher dose of enjoyment and far less pressure for outcomes. You get many of the same psychological nutrients but with more play and less performance.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2913\" data-end=\"3031\">If you\u2019re on break, you probably have at least some time that isn\u2019t already spoken for by work, study, or obligations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3126\">So the question becomes:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3126\"><strong data-start=\"3060\" data-end=\"3126\">How might you use that time in ways that actually restore you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3133\" data-end=\"3159\">The Situation You\u2019re In<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/holiday.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7114\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/holiday.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/holiday.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/holiday-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/holiday-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/holiday-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3161\" data-end=\"3184\">It\u2019s the holiday break.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3186\" data-end=\"3266\">You wake up.<br data-start=\"3198\" data-end=\"3201\" \/>You put on something resembling clothing.<br data-start=\"3242\" data-end=\"3245\" \/>You brush your teeth.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3268\" data-end=\"3325\">The day stretches out in front of you, largely unclaimed.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3418\">Your responsibilities are fewer than usual.<br data-start=\"3370\" data-end=\"3373\" \/>You are, for once, the architect of your day.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3420\" data-end=\"3458\">So, how do you design it for leisure?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3465\" data-end=\"3528\">Tip 1: Choose Activities You\u2019ll Feel Good About <em data-start=\"3516\" data-end=\"3528\">Afterwards<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/choice.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7115\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/choice.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/choice.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/choice-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/choice-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/choice-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3530\" data-end=\"3674\">Most of us know the difference between ending a day feeling like we did something that mattered, versus ending it wondering where the time went.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3676\" data-end=\"3842\">To be clear: I\u2019m not against wasting a day. They can be a necessary antidote to constant optimisation. Sometimes lying around doing very little is exactly what\u2019s needed (i&#8217;m a master of it if anyone needs tips).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"4012\">But there\u2019s a healthy middle ground &#8211; where you\u2019re just intentional enough at the <em data-start=\"3926\" data-end=\"3933\">start<\/em> of the day to choose a few things you\u2019ll feel quietly glad you did by the end.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4014\" data-end=\"4090\">So what kinds of leisure tend to leave people feeling good about themselves?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4092\" data-end=\"4159\">Broadly speaking, activities that satisfy core psychological needs:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4161\" data-end=\"4398\">\n<li data-start=\"4161\" data-end=\"4198\">\n<p data-start=\"4163\" data-end=\"4198\"><strong data-start=\"4163\" data-end=\"4176\">Autonomy:<\/strong> You chose it freely<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4199\" data-end=\"4260\">\n<p data-start=\"4201\" data-end=\"4260\"><strong data-start=\"4201\" data-end=\"4216\">Competence:<\/strong> You\u2019re learning, practising, or improving<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4261\" data-end=\"4322\">\n<p data-start=\"4263\" data-end=\"4322\"><strong data-start=\"4263\" data-end=\"4279\">Relatedness:<\/strong> You\u2019re connecting with people who matter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4323\" data-end=\"4398\">\n<p data-start=\"4325\" data-end=\"4398\"><strong data-start=\"4325\" data-end=\"4341\">Beneficence:<\/strong> You\u2019re helping someone or contributing beyond yourself<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4400\" data-end=\"4696\">This is sometimes called <strong data-start=\"4425\" data-end=\"4456\">active or \u201cserious\u201d leisure.<\/strong> It includes things like hobbies, creative pursuits, skill-building, or volunteering. These activities often take effort, but they reliably increase people\u2019s sense of meaning: <em data-start=\"4622\" data-end=\"4695\">my life makes sense, feels worthwhile, and connects to something larger<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4698\" data-end=\"4932\">At the other end of the spectrum is <strong data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4753\">passive leisure. <\/strong>The archetype of this is sitting back and being entertained, like a Netflix binge. There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with this, but on its own it tends to be less satisfying over time.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4934\" data-end=\"5181\">Some activities sit in the middle. Reading, for example, is partly passive (someone else wrote the book) but also cognitively and emotionally active. You\u2019re engaged, learning, and often absorbed in a way that feels restorative rather than numbing.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5188\" data-end=\"5231\">Tip 2: Prioritise Nature and Restoration<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/nature.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7116\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/nature.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/nature.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/nature-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/nature-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/nature-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5233\" data-end=\"5408\">After a long or intense work period, my default move is to retreat indoors, find a new TV series, and make a serious dent in it. Chocolate may or may not be involved. (It is.)<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5410\" data-end=\"5480\">I like to explain this as my pale Celtic skin being afraid of the sun.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5482\" data-end=\"5646\">But I\u2019ve lived long enough to notice a pattern:<br data-start=\"5529\" data-end=\"5532\" \/>when I spend at least some time outside (even just in my garden) I end the day in a noticeably better headspace.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5648\" data-end=\"5756\">A short ride on my ridiculous e-bike along the coast.<br data-start=\"5677\" data-end=\"5680\" \/>A visit to a nursery and the purchasing of my 300th plant.<br data-start=\"5701\" data-end=\"5704\" \/>Seeing an animal doing something mildly interesting (I&#8217;m partial to echidnas, but I rarely see them)<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5758\" data-end=\"6011\">Research is very clear here: contact with nature reliably restores mental energy, reduces stress, and supports recovery from sustained cognitive effort. Green spaces (parks, forests) and blue spaces (coasts, rivers, lakes) are particularly powerful.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6013\" data-end=\"6370\">If you\u2019re low-energy (like me), this can be very simple: reading in a park, listening to music outdoors, or taking a gentle walk.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6013\" data-end=\"6370\">If you\u2019re more active, \u201cgreen exercise\u201d which is physical activity in natural environments amplifies the benefits of movement alone. Hiking, cycling, kayaking, or anything mildly adventurous tends to deliver both physical and mental benefits.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6372\" data-end=\"6597\">Whilst the connection with nature is critical, a key part of this is <strong>disconnection<\/strong> from the built, work-coded environment. Switch the phone off. Get away from screens. Give your nervous system a break from cues associated with deadlines, productivity, and performance.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6689\">Tip 3: Add Just Enough Structure<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/structure.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7117\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/structure.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/structure.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/structure-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/structure-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/structure-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6691\" data-end=\"6749\">It feels slightly wrong to talk about <em data-start=\"6729\" data-end=\"6739\">planning<\/em> your fun.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6751\" data-end=\"6807\">But some structure turns out to be surprisingly helpful.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6809\" data-end=\"7079\">Across many studies, one of the strongest predictors of actually engaging in leisure (especially physical activity) is the simple ability to plan and prioritise it. You already know this from study and work: imperfect planning works better than no planning at all.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7081\" data-end=\"7151\">Planning also sends a subtle message to yourself that leisure matters. In fact, one common wellbeing hack is to take your work diary\/calendar and make sure you include leisure activities in there, not just work ones.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7362\">It doesn\u2019t have to be rigid. In fact, over-planning often backfires. For example, I have a fairly mild inner rebel who likes to take my over-planned day and ruin it.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7362\">But <em data-start=\"7274\" data-end=\"7290\">under-planning<\/em> tends to mean the day fills itself with whatever is easiest or loudest.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7364\" data-end=\"7598\">For me, a good day usually involves identifying around three things that would make me feel satisfied if I did them. Some days that number is higher. Some days it\u2019s lower. But asking the question in the morning makes a difference.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7600\" data-end=\"7820\">Planning also allows you to use leisure intentionally as a type of social glue. Lining up future leisure time with the availability of friends, family and community allows you get them involved. And given that connection remains one of the most reliable sources of positive emotion and wellbeing across cultures.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7822\" data-end=\"7937\">And importantly: planning leisure is also a deliberate choice not to plan work or study. That boundary matters.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"7944\" data-end=\"7962\">A Final Thought<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/thought.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7118\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/thought.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/thought.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/thought-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/thought-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/thought-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7964\" data-end=\"8080\">So there you have it &#8211; a simple three-part approach to using your break in ways that are more likely to restore you.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8082\" data-end=\"8228\">That said, if your plan is to lie around doing very little and scratching various body parts, I won\u2019t stop you. In fact, I&#8217;ll defend your right to really own that scratch.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8082\" data-end=\"8228\">If you&#8217;d like to read a little more on the topic, I think <a href=\"https:\/\/psyche.co\/guides\/how-to-rest-well-and-enjoy-a-more-creative-sustainable-life\">this article<\/a> about &#8216;rest&#8217; dovetails nicely with the content from this post.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8230\" data-end=\"8325\">One last finding from the research is worth mentioning:<br data-start=\"8285\" data-end=\"8288\" \/>ideas about leisure aren\u2019t universal.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8327\" data-end=\"8602\">In many cultures, leisure isn\u2019t just \u201cfree time for me,\u201d but more like a <strong data-start=\"8390\" data-end=\"8408\">state of being<\/strong> (tranquillity, absorption, connection) achieved through deep connection with family, community, land, culture, and ancestry.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8327\" data-end=\"8602\">The very individualistic idea of leisure as self-focused pleasure is culturally specific.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8604\" data-end=\"8810\">One way to correct for this is to choose leisure that is <strong data-start=\"8661\" data-end=\"8675\">relational<\/strong> in nature:<br data-start=\"8686\" data-end=\"8689\" \/>activities that express care for people, places, culture, country, and community (alongside activities care for your body and mind).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8812\" data-end=\"8908\">Relational leisure doesn\u2019t just help you recover; it helps you remember the important things you are a part of.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"8812\" data-end=\"8908\">References<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/references.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7119\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/references.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/references.png 1200w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/references-300x13.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/references-1024x43.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2025\/12\/references-768x32.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8812\" data-end=\"8908\">These are the references that I piled into NotebookLM in order to write this piece. Most came from a 2020 special issue in Leisure Studies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"message-text-content mat-body-medium\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<div class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"205\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Cain, M., Istvandity, L., &amp; Lakhani, A. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"252\"> Participatory music-making and well-being within immigrant cultural practice: exploratory case studies in South East Queensland, Australia. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"393\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"408\">, 39(1), 68-82.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"205\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Cook, M. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"439\"> Using urban woodlands and forests as places for improving the mental well-being of people with dementia. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"545\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"560\">, 39(1), 41-55.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"205\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Demirba\u015f, G. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"595\"> Locating leisure as the route to well-being: challenges of researching women\u2019s leisure in Turkey. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"694\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"709\">, 39(1), 56-67.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"724\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Fancourt, D., Aughterson, H., Finn, S., Walker, E., &amp; Steptoe, A. (2021).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"797\"> How leisure activities affect health: a narrative review and multi-level theoretical framework of mechanisms of action. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"918\">Lancet Psychiatry<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"935\">, 8(4), 329\u2013339.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"951\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Fox, K. M., &amp; McDermott, L. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"986\"> The Kumulipo, Native Hawaiians, and well-being: how the past speaks to the present and lays the foundation for the future. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1110\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1125\">, 39(1), 96-110.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1141\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Hartman, C. L., Barcelona, R. J., Trauntvein, N. E., &amp; Hall, S. L. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1215\"> Well-being and leisure-time physical activity psychosocial factors predict physical activity among university students. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1336\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1351\">, 39(1), 156-164.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1368\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Heintzman, P. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1389\"> Empirical research on leisure and spiritual well-being: conceptualisation, measurement and findings. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1491\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1506\">, 39(1), 146-155.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1523\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Houge Mackenzie, S., &amp; Hodge, K. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1563\"> Adventure recreation and subjective well-being: a conceptual framework. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1636\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1651\">, 39(1), 26-40.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1666\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Kono, S., Ito, E., &amp; Gui, J. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1702\"> Empirical investigation of the relationship between serious leisure and meaning in life among Japanese and Euro-Canadians. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1826\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1841\">, 39(1), 131-145.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1858\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Lackey, N. Q., Tysor, D. A., McNay, G. D., Joyner, L., Baker, K. H., &amp; Hodge, C. (2019).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"1946\"> Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: a systematic review. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2019\">Annals of Leisure Research<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2045\">, 1-22.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2052\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Liu, H., &amp; Da, S. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2077\"> The relationships between leisure and happiness-A graphic elicitation method. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2156\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2171\">, 39(1), 111-130.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2188\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Mansfield, L., Daykin, N., &amp; Kay, T. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2232\"> Leisure and wellbeing. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2256\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2271\">, 39(1), 1-10.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2285\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Oman, S. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2301\"> Leisure pursuits: uncovering the \u2018selective tradition\u2019 in culture and well-being evidence for policy. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2404\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2419\">, 39(1), 11-25.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"paragraph normal ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2434\"><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\">\u2022 <\/span>Wheaton, B., Waiti, J., Cosgriff, M., &amp; Burrows, L. (2020).<span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2493\"> Coastal blue space and wellbeing research: looking beyond western tides. <\/span><i class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2567\">Leisure Studies<\/i><span class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-start-index=\"2582\">, 39(1), 83-95.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"action ng-star-inserted\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"action ng-star-inserted\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"action ng-star-inserted\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"suggestions-container ng-star-inserted\">\n<div class=\"follow-up-vertical-container ng-star-inserted\">\n<div class=\"follow-up-chip mat-body-medium grey-background ng-star-inserted\" role=\"button\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You didn&#8217;t think I&#8217;d stop telling you how to live your life just because you are on a break did you? I&#8217;ve been meaning to write [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":492,"featured_media":7120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1147,7483,7],"tags":[21205,5024,21203,21210,21201,4811,5023,11555,21212,18258,21209,58,21199,21213,20471,15179,21198,10224,21202,5388,21207,20873,21206,21211,3059,5025,49,21200,19599,3448,21204,18834,19063,21208,18935,669,2800],"class_list":["post-7100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-lifestyle","category-research-digest","category-well-being","tag-active-leisure","tag-autonomy","tag-beneficence","tag-blue-space","tag-burnout-recovery","tag-community","tag-competence","tag-connection","tag-cultural-wellbeing","tag-enjoyment","tag-green-space","tag-happiness","tag-holiday-break","tag-holiday-wellbeing","tag-intentional-living","tag-leisure","tag-leisure-time","tag-life-satisfaction","tag-meaning-in-life","tag-mental-health","tag-nature-and-wellbeing","tag-outdoor-activities","tag-passive-leisure","tag-planning-leisure","tag-purpose","tag-relatedness","tag-relationships","tag-rest-and-recovery","tag-restoration","tag-self-care","tag-serious-leisure","tag-stress-reduction","tag-student-wellbeing","tag-time-in-nature","tag-university-life","tag-wellbeing","tag-work-life-balance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>So you have some leisure time - how should you use it? - Better U<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/2025\/12\/23\/so-you-have-some-leisure-time-how-should-you-use-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"So you have some leisure time - how should you use it? - Better U\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You didn&#8217;t think I&#8217;d stop telling you how to live your life just because you are on a break did you? 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