Would you engage in more social leisure activities if you knew it could boost your mental health? Whether or not you are employed or unemployed, depression can enter your life and hinder your overall life satisfaction. Unfortunately, those who are unemployed have a higher risk of becoming depressed. Research has shown that unemployment “has been consistently linked to negative mental health outcomes” (Goodman, 4). Fortunately, William Goodman and his fellow colleagues conducted a study in 2016 to figure out if leisure activities and time structure had an impact on mental health for unemployed and/or employed individuals.
Leisure Activities Boost Mental Health:
In short, leisure activities decreased depressive symptoms in the employed, whereas time structure + leisure activities decreased depressive symptoms in the unemployed (8-10). In general, social leisure activities improved mental health more than self-focused leisure activities and exercise for both the employed and unemployed (8-10). However, self- leisure activities and exercise still showed beneficial effects on mental health for employed individuals (9). The study found that for the employed “recreational activities had direct beneficial relationships with depressive symptoms (8).
On the other hand, for unemployed individuals “recreational activities were only beneficial to the extent that they contributed to a stronger sense of time structure” (10). For those who were unemployed “time structure was the central beneficial factor in terms of depressive symptoms” (10). Self-focused leisure activities and exercise did not have beneficial associations to depressive symptoms when time structure wasn’t incorporated (9). This means that unemployed individuals need to incorporate time structure to exercise and self-focused leisure for mental health benefits.
Time Structure Boosts Mental Health:
Goodman and his colleagues analyzed the five different subscales of time structure: sense of purpose, structured routine, present orientation, effective organization, and persistence to determine the impact each subscale had on mental health (8). The researchers “found evidence that time structure partially mediated the relationships between exercise, social and self-focused leisure activity and depressive symptoms” (8). Time structure completely mediated the relationship between self-focused activity and depression for the unemployed (8). The relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms were also completely mediated by time structure for the unemployed (8).
In terms of the five different subscales, structured routine contributed significantly to time structure for the unemployed, but not for the employed (8). All the other subscale factors were relevant for the employed individuals and “partially explained the link between leisure activities and depressive symptoms” (8). For the unemployed, “mental health benefits of leisure activities were fully explained by higher engagement in all five facets of time structure” (8). These findings are significant because they show that time structure contributes to the mental health benefits found in leisure activities for the employed and unemployed.
Overall, it’s important to note that “increased sense of purpose, effective organization, and persistence were all negatively associated with depressive symptoms” regardless of employment status (9). These results indicate that “a stronger sense of purposefully using one’s time is linked to lower depressive symptoms” (9).
Application:
The researchers state that “promoting recreational activities may… benefit mental health in employed individuals” (10). This suggest that increasing recreational activities may decrease depressive symptoms in the employed individuals and increase their mental health. As for unemployed individuals, “given the central role of time structure… promoting social activities that provide a sense of daily structure may be a more promising approach to improving mental health” (10).
As a whole, this study showed that employed individuals benefit from leisure activities, whereas unemployed individuals benefit from leisure activities that provide a “stronger sense of time structure” (10). With that being said, unemployed individuals would be wise to incorporate time structure into their leisure activities. Both employed and unemployed individuals should also consider engaging in social leisure as it proved to be the most beneficial.
Suggestions for Social Leisure Activities:
I figure since social leisure had the greatest impact on mental health, it would be helpful if I provided five suggestions.
1. Take a Pottery Class with a Friend or Friends
Recently, I went to my first pottery class with my fiancé, and it was a really fun experience! I definitely recommend checking out if there is a pottery class near you. A pottery class is great because it allows you to take the pottery you made home. The pottery you take home can serve as a reminder of all the fun you had with your friend(s).
2. Go Out to Eat with Your Friend(s)
Go to breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your friend(s) and catch up on life. Personally, I love going to brunch with my best friend. The last time I went I had an excellent time talking to her and catching up on life. I’ve found that grabbing a bite to eat can serve as a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your friend(s) after not seeing them in a while.
3. Take a Walk with a Loved One
I love going on walks with my little sister. We have a lot of fun playing make believe, while strolling through the neighborhood. Walks can be especially helpful when going with a loved one because it allows you to connect while also getting in some physical activity.
4. Go to a Bookstore with a Friend or Friends
The bookstore can be a fun place to go with a friend because it allows you both to share your interests with each other. For example, if you are interested in starting a business you can ask your friend to help you find a book about opening up a small business. Your friend might be interested in baking and in search of a new recipe book. The bookstore can be a fun way to discover something new about your friend, while helping him or her pick out a suitable book.
5. Spend Time with Your Friend(s) at Your Place or Theirs
You don’t need to spend money to engage in social activity. Inviting your friend to spend quality time with you at your house is a great way to socialize. You can play board games together, cook together, or simply talk. It is always nice to have a kind listening friend to confide in, especially when you are going through a hard time.
Time Structure Suggestions:
This suggestion section is going to be short because it depends on the person. First, if you are unemployed, create a schedule for yourself. Don’t make it too detailed to where you feel overwhelmed, but use it as a way to have consistency throughout your day. Engage in leisure activities that give you a sense of purpose and make you feel like you used your time well.
Now, this is why I’m not giving a specific list. People vary on what activities they feel provide a sense of purpose. Also people vary on which activities they believe are an effective use of their time. That being said, a therapist would be an excellent person to talk to help you figure out which activities you view provide a sense of purpose and effective organization.
Wrap-Up:
Time structure and leisure activities can boost your mental health by ameliorating depressive side effects, so incorporate both in your life. Note that social leisure activities are especially helpful.
Don’t forget, if you are unemployed, you are more likely to face depressive symptoms than employed individuals. With that being said, if you are unemployed and feel depressed, go to therapy. Time structure + leisure activities may lessen depressive symptoms, but the combination isn’t a replacement for counseling. Seeing a professional therapist can be extremely helpful when you are facing depressive symptoms, whether you are employed or not. Lastly, employed individuals can still get depression, so it is important that they go to therapy when needed.
Work Cited
Goodman, William K., et al. “Leisure activities are linked to mental health benefits by providing time structure: comparing employed, unemployed and homemakers.” 2016.