Therapeutic Recreation: Having Fun While Getting Well

Everyone loves to have fun– whether it’s listening to music, riding bikes, playing sports or spending time in nature. Activities like these can give us a sense of identity and great satisfaction. They allow us to decompress when times are difficult and energize us when we’re well.

Therapeutic Recreation, often called TR, uses enjoyable activities as a way to support physical, emotional, social and mental well-being. Activities are adapted to meet a patient’s unique needs, with the goal of helping them gain confidence, build skills and overcome challenges.

What Kind of Activities Qualify as Therapeutic Recreation?

Generally, TR activities are meaningful to the individual and promote wellness in physical, spiritual, emotional, social and cognitive ways. This can yield great outcomes, because when activities are meaningful, or fun, and applied to the right settings with appropriate goals, people can overcome barriers with minimal consequence. Activities that can be used to reach goals can include:

• Playing soccer or kickball

• Acting or singing
• Gardening
• Cycling
• Writing or journaling
• Yoga or meditation
• Adaptive sports like wheelchair rugby or track and field

Who Can Benefit From Therapeutic Recreation?

Therapeutic recreation can make a meaningful difference for children facing a wide range of challenges. Whether recovering from a spinal cord injury, adjusting to life after a cancer diagnosis or managing anxiety or depression, individuals often experience a decrease in quality of life. TR offers a way to rebuild that sense of well-being— through joy and purpose.

Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialists (CTRS) work to identify each person’s unique needs and barriers, then design activities that support recovery and growth. These might include adaptive sports, music, outdoor experiences or creative arts. Along the way, participants develop valuable coping strategies, , social connections and access to community resources to promote a healthy leisure lifestyle

TR is used in many settings: hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, behavioral health programs, correctional facilities, parks and community centers. No matter the location, the goal is always to help individuals rediscover what brings them joy.

And the benefits go far beyond the moment. Kids may leave a hospital stay with more confidence, reduced stress, and build lasting habits that support their mental, emotional and physical health.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The side effects of therapeutic recreation are usually very welcome:

• Smiling
• Laughing
• Feeling connected
• Lower blood pressure
• Non-pharmacological pain management
• Increased self-esteem
• A greater sense of belonging