Abstract:

Introduction: Leisure time is the time when the individual is free of all sorts of obligations and chooses by his own how to use the time left.  Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of free time on human health.  Material-Method: An extensive review of the recent literature was performed via Medline database and the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association (HEAL-Link), using the following keywords: leisure time, health, health promotion, and a combination of them.  Results: Leisure time often acts as a remedy in various cases. It has been shown that participation in leisure activities can lead to physical and mental health. Recent studies take into account indicators covering a wide range of social welfare considerations. Dealing with activities that give pleasant emotions to a person suffering from a disease can be beneficial in trying to overcome it. Conclusions: Leisure is of great importance in human life. An individual, during his spare time, can engage himself in activities resulting in his personal cultivation and his spiritual elevation. 

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