Recreational therapy (RT) or Therapeutic Recreation, according to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), is a treatment service designed to restore and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, and to promote health and wellness in an individual who has been diagnosed with an illness or disabling condition.
Living Well Recreational Therapy explains improved quality of life determined by individuals who engage in RT. Research Within Recreation Therapy is an article that further explains how symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress and Stress can be relieved through engagement in RT. The sections “Anxiety and Stress” and “Families” explain more of how veterans and families benefit from RT.
Through personal experience, I have seen veterans and family members who deal with stress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions benefit from being actively involved in exercise such as tennis (which I will talk about in further detail later). Recreational therapeutic activities have been, and still is, one of the lifelines in our marriage. RT activities are an important component to my husband’s recovery and I am grateful for every opportunity. We began engaging in RT after my husband’s war injuries. And, these activities have yielded positive results in our lives. RT has forced my family to engage in outside activity and recreation that, otherwise, would not have happened.
Please post comments below to share your experiences, both positive and negative, of recreational therapy.
**This blog post is not an endorsement of services offered by Living Well Recreational Therapy Services
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Recreation therapy has been a lifesaver since my husband’s recent TBI (stacked on previous service-connected injuries) in a motorcycle accident. I was looking to redirect his energies, which lean to the high-risk side, and was offered recumbent cycling and kayaking (the latter through Team River Runner) by the physical therapist and rec therapist a the VA. We also connected with Project Healing Waters, a national fly-fishing organization. These activities keep both of us busy and active through his recovery and provide an outlet for stress.
Juli, thanks for your comments! The experience you described reminds me of WWP’s Soldier Ride. My husband and I have not experienced WWP’s Soldier Ride yet but understand that recumbent bikes are readily available to participants. Glad to know you are having positive experiences with recreational therapy. Glad to hear you intend to continue experiencing its benefits;)