About the Authors Contributors Preface Acknowledgments PART I: INTRODUCTION TO RECREATION AND LEISURE Chapter 1. Concepts of Leisure Introduction Leisure As a Category of Time Neulinger''s Paradigm of Leisure Contrasting Views of Leisure Recreation Summary Chapter 2. Leisure Education: Vital to the Well-Being of Society Introduction What Is Leisure Education? Prominence of Leisure in Society Leisure: Continued Growth, Decline, or Stabilization? The Relationship of Leisure and Mental Health Leisure-Related Problems Leisure Counseling Summary Chapter 3. Historical Influences on Leisure Today Introduction Purposes and Benefits of Studying Leisure History Primitive and Early Civilizations The Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Protestant Reformation The Industrial Revolution The Recreation Movement in Twentieth-Century America The Recreation Movement in the Twenty-First Century Summary Chapter 4. Leisure and Recreation in the United States Today Introduction Free Time in the United States Recreational Participation Patterns Recreation Participation Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Minorities Leisure Participation Patterns of Women Leisure in the U.S. Economy The Leisure Services Field Summary Chapter 5. Why People Recreate: Theoretical Explanations Introduction Early Play Theories Other Theories of Play and Recreation Categorization/Models of Leisure Needs/Benefits/Satisfactions Summary PART II: APPLICATION OF THEORY TO ENHANCE LEISURE WELL-BEING Chapter 6.

Leisure Planning and Time Management Introduction Benefits of Leisure Planning and Goal Setting Time-Management Principles Sleep Reduction Summary Chapter 7. Fitness and Leisure Introduction The Fitness-Leisure Connection Definition of Fitness The Fitness Illusion Physiological Benefits of Exercise Psychological Benefits of Exercise Beginning and Maintaining a Recreational exercise Program The Components of Health-Related Physical Fitness The Total Workout for Aerobic Fitness Measuring Intensity of Exercise Examining the Aerobic Potential of Recreational Activities Creating Fun, Highly Aerobic Recreational Activities Nutrition and Fitness Summary Chapter 8. The Role of Leisure in Stress Reduction Introduction Stress Theory and Concepts Application of Stress Theory to Recreation Type A/B Behavior and Leisure How Leisure Can Help Overcome and Prevent Distress Summary Chapter 9. The Use of Humor and Laughter in Coping with and Reducing Stress Introduction Humor, Laughter, and Stress Defined The Benefits of Humor and Laughter Incorporating Humor into Everyday Life Summary Chapter 10. Recreation and Social Development Introduction Importance of Recreational Social Interaction Television, Movies, and Video Games and Their Effects on Social Development Popular Music and Its Effects on Social Development Facilitating Social Development Through Leisure and Enhancing Leisure Through Socialization Socialization in Recreational Activities Summary Chapter 11. Gambling and Recreational Drug Use: Analysis of Two Prevalent Leisure-Related Problems Introduction Gambling Recreational Drug Use Summary Chapter 12. Personal Leisure Philosophy Introduction The Role of Ethics in Defining Personal Leisure Philosophy Overcoming Obstacles to Leisure Fulfillment The Power of Positive Thinking The Right Brain and Leisure Self-Esteem Visualizing and Reaching for the Ideal Summary PART III: EXPANDING LEISURE HORIZONS Chapter 13. Leisure Throughout the Life Cycle Introduction.