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.

wounded warrior recreational therapy
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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