CONTEXT

Who is stressed?

According to the Census 2011, India is a very young country. Half of its population is under the age of 25. Two-thirds are less than 35. Out of these numbers, 36% women and 67% men are employed (economically active).

In Gandhinagar, 82.1% of the city's population is literate and are engaged in employment or are studying for higher education.

What kind of stress?

Nearly 46% of the employed suffer from some form of stress. Among students, almost 66% are stressed due to performance pressure. General performance pressure is caused due to reasons like tight deadlines, high expectations, long working hours and such. Almost one-third of patients coming for treatment in the age group of 21-32 years suffered from work related stress.

Why recreational activities?

Recreation, ideally a combination of mental and physical, detoxifies our internal system to reduce stress and give your mind a chance to re-group. Making time for recreational activities is a positive approach in coping with stress.

Recreational activities are creative outlets. While engaged in these activities, our mind requires sufficient focus to direct our attention away from the stressful world in which we otherwise live. It is a time to do something over which we have a sense of control, where we feel competent and empowered, a world where we are in charge. Recreation to combat stress must be activities that fully absorb our attention, giving a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and eventually helps in dealing with stressful situations in a relatively healthier way.