Vol. 2 No. 1, April 2025

Leisure, Recreation and Healthy Living within the Context of Christendom

Oyetoro, Taiwo Rebecca

Abstract

In the realm of Christendom, the interplay between leisure, recreation, and healthy living holds multifaceted significance. This paper contextualizes the dynamic relationship among these components, highlighting their profound impact on dividuals and communities. Various leisure activities, from contemplative practices to communal celebrations, play a pivotal role in fostering spiritual rejuvenation and psychological well-being. Guided by Christian principles, recreational pursuits contribute to the holistic development of individuals, promoting physical fitness and mental resilience. These endeavours nurture individual health and foster social cohesion as congregations participate in collective leisure and recreation. By integrating these aspects, Christendom advocates for a balanced approach to life that underscores the harmonious coexistence of body, mind, and spirit. The research employs sociological and descriptive methods; this study offers insight into the outcomes of these essential components, shedding light on their role in cultivating a robust culture of well-being within 21st-century Christian contexts.

Keywords

Full Text

Download

References

askanadventistfriend. (n.d.). Retrieved from askanadventistfriend site: https://www.askanadventistfriend.com/
adventist-health/what-do-adventists-say-about-exercise/
GLOVER, D. (2023, December 1). EMMI BLOGS. Retrieved from EMMI BLOGS website: https://emminstitute.org/
emmi-blogs/f/nurturing-health-and-wellness-your-guide-to-a-fulfilling-life
Iso-Ahola, S. & Baumeister, R. (2023). Leisure and Meaning in Life. Frontiers in Psychology, 15-35. doi:doi.org/10.3389/
fpsyg.2023.1074649
Johnson, C. M. (2020). 4D’S OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH: THE LOCAL CHURCH’S ROLE IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH
AND DISCIPLESHIP. 57-69.
Kohl, H. W. & Heather D. Cook. (2013). Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education
to School. In H. W. Kohl & E. Heather D. Cook, Physical Activity and Physical Education: Relationship to Growth,
Development, and Health (pp. 101-205). Washington: National Academic Press.
Larsen, J. A. (2017). Community Relational Soul Care: A Transformational Paradigm for Restoring God’s People to
Spiritual Vitality. Liberty University School of Divinity.
Lawrence, T. A. (2010). Students’ Perceptions of Integration of Faith and Learning and Intentional Teaching Strategies at a
Christian University. Dissertation 1716. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dissertations/1716
Medley, A. A. (2011). A Program of Physical and Spiritual Practices for Youth at Takoma Academy. digitalcommons.
andrews.edu, 2-29.
Nee, w. (2007). Spiritual exercise. New York Press.
Nichol, F. D. (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 7. Logos Research Edition.
Retrieved December 22, 2023, from Logos Edition: https://www.logos.com/product/179809/
the-seventh-day-adventist-bible-commentary-volume-7
Pinckard, K. M., Baskin, K. K. & Stanford, K. I. (2019). Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health. Frontiers in
Cardiovascular Medicine. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2019.00069
Radermacher, M. (2012). Devotional fitness. Journal Fi.
Rosendahl, J. (2015). “Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Practice Among Mental Health Professionals”. Social Work Master’s
Clinical Research Papers. 508.
Stoewen, D. (2017, August 1). Dimensions of wellness: Change your Habits, change your life. PubMed Central (PMC).
Retrieved December 22, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/
Tania, C. (2020). Children’s wellbeing and their academic achievement: The dangerous discourse of ‘trade-offs’ in
education. journals Sage Pub, 13-20.
Tredget, D. (2021, February 23). In what ways can the concept of holy or sacred leisure inform a renewed theological
understanding? Open Research Archive, 283-310. Retrieved 12 24, 2023, from https://research.stmarys.ac.uk/id/
eprint/4657/1/DT%20FINAL%20THESIS%20SEPTEMBER%202020v3.pdf
Veal, A. J. (2004). Definitions of Leisure and Recreation. Australian Journal of Leisure and Recreation, 2-6.
Zhang, G., Huang, K. & Shen, S. (2023, August 3). Impact of spiritual values on tourists’ psychological wellbeing: evidence
from China’s Buddhist mountains. Frontiers Psychology. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1136755