Leisure is defined as “the pursuit of pleasurable, discretionary activities (McQuoid, 2017).” Leisure—what we do for fun—encompasses a myriad of activities. Some leisure activities don’t involve much skill or training, such as chatting with friends or watching television. Other leisure activities occur over a longer period and involve a process of skill-building, such as playing a musical instrument or learning a craft.

We tend to trivialize leisure as something nice but hardly necessary. Leisure often is seen as the dessert of life—pleasant but not necessary, perhaps even a bit indulgent. What if we’re wrong about this, though? What if we discount leisure too readily, particularly as a vital part of a chronic illness treatment plan?

Leisure participation is linked to better physical and mental health (McQuaid, 2017). Leisure provides us with pleasure—we are engaging in activities simply because we enjoy them, which uplifts our mood. Leisure also provides us with a feeling of competence—we........

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