Every individual has needs, even when their physical and mental health seems to be in peak condition. Whether social, emotional, physical, cognitive, or creative, Miramont Behavioral Health provides a range of therapy options in Wisconsin for meeting your needs, living life to the fullest, and reaching your full potential. Recreational therapy is one service that may support people with several mental health conditions.
Recreational therapy makes fun leisure activities a part of your daily routine to help you improve your physical abilities, emotional well-being, and mood. This therapy is also flexible, adapting to your interests, needs, and the resources that you have available in your recovery community. Recreational therapy’s top goal is to improve your emotional and physical health as much as possible—all while having a blast.Â
Throughout your sessions, recreational therapists focus on helping you meet your health goals while giving you opportunities to grow personally and relax at the same time. Here are some other recreational therapy characteristics that our patients love:
- Recreational therapy is customizable.
- There is no one-size-fits-all approach.Â
- Your learning milestones aren’t traditional, you reach them and discover them through play and creativity.Â
Whether you work individually with your therapist or with a team, you can expect to learn how to manage stress and triggers, develop life skills, and build social connections.Â
At both of our Waukesha and Middleton locations, you can choose activities that provide tools for meeting those crucial social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative needs while also targeting any physical or bodily health concerns.Â
Here are some activities you might engage in during recreational therapy:
- Art and music to encourage self-expression and creativity
- Sports and games to improve physical fitness and teamwork
- Gardening and cooking classes to build life skills and foster relaxation
- Animal interactions to enhance emotional connection and reduce stress
- Dance and movement to promote physical activity and boost moods
- Storytelling and creative writing to develop communication and cognitive skills
Who Should Consider Recreational Therapy?
Anyone who feels down physically or emotionally can benefit from the effects of recreational therapy, but this therapy can also greatly benefit those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder (SUD). Other groups of people that may find recreational therapy effective for improving overall well-being include:
- People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Older peopleÂ
- Teenagers and young adults
- People with disabilitiesÂ
- Anyone with a dual-diagnosis
If you’re interested in learning more about how recreational therapy can help you even if you don’t suffer from any of the conditions above, contact us. We can point you toward the applicable services that we offer in Wisconsin. Â
How Does Recreational Therapy Improve Mental Health?
Studies show just how impactful recreational therapy can be, with both kids and teens seeing improved fitness, bone strength, and an improved self-image. Recreational therapy also appears to help reduce obesity and ease anxiety symptoms.Â
Other research looks at injured military service members who attended recreational therapy. Participants saw improvements in PTSD, stress, anxiety, and depression—and those benefits lasted for months after the study took place. Here are other recreational therapy benefits:
- Helps people stay activeÂ
- Boosts cardiovascular healthÂ
- Builds confidence
- Reduces negative emotions
- Supports long-term recovery from PTSD and depression
- Offers a low-risk, affordable, and enjoyable way to improve well-being
The research shows that whether you dance, join a sports team, or craft, recreational activities with a therapeutic goal you tackle health challenges sustainably.Â
Recreational Therapy FAQs
- Are Miramont BH recreational therapists certified? Yes, all of our healthcare professionals hold the proper certifications and credentials.Â
- Does my insurance plan cover recreational therapy services? That depends on your plan and provider. You may find expenses to be more affordable in our outpatient care center, but it’s not guaranteed. Get in touch with us to learn more, we’re happy to help.Â
- Does the recreational therapist consider my interests and abilities when creating my plan? Absolutely. Recreational therapy may not be as effective if you don’t actually enjoy the activity you’re working on, so we take a customized approach seriously.Â
- What do I want to accomplish with recreational therapy? You’ll want to accomplish better physical and emotional health, whatever that looks like for you.Â
Get Started with Recreational Therapy in Wisconsin
We encourage you to take a simple step toward changing your life by moving your body and prioritizing your emotional health. Start your recreational therapy with Miramont Behavioral Hospital today where our guiding therapists are available at each of our locations, both in-patient care in Middleton and outpatient care in Waukesha. We can’t wait to see the difference recreational therapy makes in your life!