In a world driven by work, the role of relaxation has never been more pronounced. In particular, the way many young people spend their leisure time is often called into question. On holidays, most of them choose to stay home rather than engage in outdoor activities, which, in turn, begs the question of why this is the case and of what measures can be taken to discourage such a behavior.
The contributing factor in young people’s tendency to stay in on holidays is none other than technology. As trite as this explanation may be, comfort creatures such as smartphones and tablets effectively serve as better alternatives to traditional means of recreation – whether it is hiking or climbing. When given the choice between physically demanding activities and more immediate, accessible sources of entertainment, people are bound to choose the latter over the former. After all, leisure activities act as nothing but relaxation, and our brain favors easy-to-achieve things rather than difficult ones.
However, all of this is not to say that it is impossible to discourage young people from their unhealthy habits. Their family members or friends, who are more in tune with nature, can help inspire them to spend more time outdoors. This could come in the form of regular visits to the mountains and other natural sights, which is common practice in my country, Uzbekistan. In this way, even those completely detached from nature will realize their innate connection with it, having tasted the sweetness of wonders of nature firsthand. As a result, a treadmill effect may ensue – one that involves more and more homestay people developing a taste for the outside world.
In conclusion, leisure time is rarely spending time with nature, but is, in fact, synonymous with staying at home scrolling through social media. The technologically-driven world we live in today ensures that recreation is within reach, rendering outdoor activities obsolete. As problematic as this tendency might be, there are ways to fight it – through increased exposure to the natural world with the help of friends and family.