Recreational therapists at Sharp Health have emphasized the significant influence that recreational therapy can exert on a patient's mental health, underscoring the need for a balance between work and leisure.
"Recreational therapy is a backdoor to the psyche", said Luis Perez. "It's a psychoanalytic practice that uses recreation and education to help patients alleviate and orient their minds while equipping them to address their personal obstacles."
Recreational therapy is a treatment method for physical and psychological conditions that employs a variety of activities and leisure to aid in restoring physical and mental health. This therapeutic approach is frequently used to address conditions such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. According to a news release from Sharp Health News, Sharp Grossmont Hospital regularly employs recreational therapy to enhance the quality of life for its patients.
The impact of recreational therapy extends beyond immediate recovery from physical or mental conditions; it also bolsters long-term health. Dorn, a recreational therapist with Sharp Grossmont Hospital, says: "Once they engage, either trying a new activity or working on skills they already possess, they might discover a new hobby or decide to take on an activity that they have lost through the years."
This therapeutic approach is also utilized in the Emergency Room (ER) of Sharp Grossmont Hospital for patients seeking short-term medical care and experiencing distress. Smith, who works as a recreational therapist in the ER unit, says: "For patients experiencing a mental health crisis and coming to us via the emergency room, it can be a very stressful time. They do not have their normal means of diversion, like cell phones or television. So, I do my best to make the wait more comfortable."
Ultimately, recreational therapy aims to equip individuals with tools to manage life's stressors and achieve a balance between work and leisure. Perez, another recreational therapist with Sharp Grossmont Hospital explains: "One moment you're facilitating physical exercises and the next moment you're teaching anger management. We help our patients learn the value of having a routine and how to take responsibility for their mental health." The therapists at Sharp Health have reported considerable success in their patients' recovery through this form of therapy, according to a news release from Sharp Health News.
