Why playing every day is good for stress

It's common for people to get busy and put aside activities they like to do in favor of things they need to do. But leisure activities are an important part of living a balanced life, says Rachel Fuhrmeister, C.T.R.S., a recreation therapist at Mayo Clinic.
A balanced life includes some productive work, some leisure activities and self-care. And while work can be fulfilling, it's often the things people do outside of work that are refreshing.
Sometimes people are waiting for their moods to improve or their lives to become less hectic to get back into leisure activities, Fuhrmeister says. But instead of waiting for your mood to change, you might find that taking time for recreation can change your mood.