The Role of Leisure in Sustainable Development
41
of psychology, leisure time is perceived as the time to rest, relax, fight stress and
tiredness, whereas economists approach leisure time as the time of consumption that
is not intended for work and gainful activities, and sociologists perceive it as time to
maintain and establish interpersonal values.
Leisure time is significantly related to the value of freedom. It is most commonly
assumed that this is a state of being free from work (Zowisło 2011). During this
time, a person can exhibit behaviours that are consistent with their character and
personal choices. It is a time devoted to various activities that ensure rest, recovery,
relaxation, entertainment, and expansion of knowledge and one’s own interests, as
well as the development of creative abilities and satisfaction of one’s own needs.
These may be behaviours commonly recognized as positive, as well as those that are
perceived as reprehensible in a given cultural environment. What connects them is
the coexistence of such features as: the voluntary nature of the content and forms
of behaviour, non-commercialism, and the experience of satisfaction during their
manifestation (Czerepniak-Walczak 2011).
Furthermore, there is also a kind of time that is filled with several contents at the
same time. Then it is referred to as the so-called doubled or even multiplied time
(Czerepniak-Walczak 2011). This is possible due to the use of equipment and devices
that facilitate simultaneous performance of necessary and not necessary activities.
Behaviours that consist of multiplying activities that are performed at the same
time are becoming more and more common. Such behaviour results in the habit of
simultaneous reception of several stimuli. One stimulus means boredom and a waste
of time (Szlendak 2010). Developing the concept of time ‘intensification’ or its
doubling means accelerating the speed of activities (e.g. sightseeing without leaving
a car, virtual tours), changing activities into more time-saving ones (ordering a meal
instead of cooking at home) or surrounding the main activities that are performed
with a number of accompanying activities (e.g. eating a meal while watching TV
and simultaneously viewing magazines and/or following information on Facebook)
(Jung 2011).
Leisure time does not include the hours devoted to physiological needs (sleep,
eating, drinking, personal hygiene), although in some cases, for example with family
and in social gatherings, whether at home or in the restaurant, leisure is associated
with meals. Housework and chores that arise from life necessities are also excluded
from this sphere of time budget. However, the thin line that separates childcare,
cooking, shopping, ironing, and other activities that fulfil the family obligation from
leisure activities cannot be ignored, because it cannot be precluded that these activities
are experienced as relaxation and give people great pleasure. It can be concluded here
that the activities associated with leisure time are, to the greatest extent, guided by
personal needs, dispositions, habits and accepted patterns of conduct (Kolny 2013).
Activities occurring during leisure time can also be discussed in a different context,
while dividing them into two different types. The first type includes all those activities
that are performed because of a duty or obligation hidden behind them. Additional
beneficial activity, shopping, raising children and home repairs can be included in this
sphere. The second type of activities results from the person’s pursuit of personality
development. This type of activities includes training, pursuing professional and
41
of psychology, leisure time is perceived as the time to rest, relax, fight stress and
tiredness, whereas economists approach leisure time as the time of consumption that
is not intended for work and gainful activities, and sociologists perceive it as time to
maintain and establish interpersonal values.
Leisure time is significantly related to the value of freedom. It is most commonly
assumed that this is a state of being free from work (Zowisło 2011). During this
time, a person can exhibit behaviours that are consistent with their character and
personal choices. It is a time devoted to various activities that ensure rest, recovery,
relaxation, entertainment, and expansion of knowledge and one’s own interests, as
well as the development of creative abilities and satisfaction of one’s own needs.
These may be behaviours commonly recognized as positive, as well as those that are
perceived as reprehensible in a given cultural environment. What connects them is
the coexistence of such features as: the voluntary nature of the content and forms
of behaviour, non-commercialism, and the experience of satisfaction during their
manifestation (Czerepniak-Walczak 2011).
Furthermore, there is also a kind of time that is filled with several contents at the
same time. Then it is referred to as the so-called doubled or even multiplied time
(Czerepniak-Walczak 2011). This is possible due to the use of equipment and devices
that facilitate simultaneous performance of necessary and not necessary activities.
Behaviours that consist of multiplying activities that are performed at the same
time are becoming more and more common. Such behaviour results in the habit of
simultaneous reception of several stimuli. One stimulus means boredom and a waste
of time (Szlendak 2010). Developing the concept of time ‘intensification’ or its
doubling means accelerating the speed of activities (e.g. sightseeing without leaving
a car, virtual tours), changing activities into more time-saving ones (ordering a meal
instead of cooking at home) or surrounding the main activities that are performed
with a number of accompanying activities (e.g. eating a meal while watching TV
and simultaneously viewing magazines and/or following information on Facebook)
(Jung 2011).
Leisure time does not include the hours devoted to physiological needs (sleep,
eating, drinking, personal hygiene), although in some cases, for example with family
and in social gatherings, whether at home or in the restaurant, leisure is associated
with meals. Housework and chores that arise from life necessities are also excluded
from this sphere of time budget. However, the thin line that separates childcare,
cooking, shopping, ironing, and other activities that fulfil the family obligation from
leisure activities cannot be ignored, because it cannot be precluded that these activities
are experienced as relaxation and give people great pleasure. It can be concluded here
that the activities associated with leisure time are, to the greatest extent, guided by
personal needs, dispositions, habits and accepted patterns of conduct (Kolny 2013).
Activities occurring during leisure time can also be discussed in a different context,
while dividing them into two different types. The first type includes all those activities
that are performed because of a duty or obligation hidden behind them. Additional
beneficial activity, shopping, raising children and home repairs can be included in this
sphere. The second type of activities results from the person’s pursuit of personality
development. This type of activities includes training, pursuing professional and