I love my job. When people ask me about what I do for work, I delight in the ability to share my passion for Therapeutic Recreation.
I have been known to spill my cup of coffee (or wine) midst explanation because of my extreme enthusiasm.
In celebration for Therapeutic Recreation Month 2020, I thought it would be really fun to put together a post that highlighted my favorite benefits of working in this field.
So here it is, my very own list of the 10 Amazing Benefits of being a Recreational Therapist.
(The term participant can be interchanged with patient, resident, veteran, youth, etc.)
1. We can work with almost anyone, in almost any environment
When you meet another recreational therapist, one of the first question someone inevitably asks is, “What population do you work with?” Which is TR code for, who do you serve.
The answers can range from children with physical challenges, to older adults in a skilled nursing facility, to veteran’s with PTSD, to young adults with development disabilities. The list goes on.
The VERY cool thing about our work is that the benefits of the services we provide are universal. Meaning that almost anyone who is seeking assistance for a holistic health care need can benefit from what we do.
From time to time, I have been challenged to be my own recreational therapist.
2. We are there to help when life gets hard
Life isn’t always easy. Eventually everyone will experience a challenging situation. We all need help.
Whether it’s a car accident that left you paralyzed from the waist down, the death of a loved one that throws you into a deep depression, or having a child diagnosed with autism. We are right there, to provide a very unique type of help.
This aspect of our job is most certainly rewarding, but comes at a cost.
Burnout and compassion fatigue rates are very high for health care professionals. Be sure to familiarize yourself with both conditions and develop a throughout self-care plan to ensure your own health and wellness isn’t compromised in the process.
3. We get to watch others succeed
I cannot express the joy I feel when I get to watch one of my participants succeed.
It’s an all encompassing, life giving kind of joy that arrives when I see the smile and relief my participants feel when they achieve something that they previously did not think was possible.
It could be the success of a big goal like crossing the line at a 5K they have been training for.
Or it could come from a smaller goal, like when I watch a participant who I know has social anxiety makes a new friend during group.
Honestly, it’s usually the small success’ that light my heart up the most, because it’s the small wins that propel us forward and encourage us on the road to goal attainment.
On the road to success, there will be a few failures. So I always remind my participants (and myself) on that regular that failure is a good thing, it is our First Attempt At Learning.
4. We witness joy on the regular
Joy is the crème de la crème on the emotion à la carte.
Of course, all emotions are valid and important, but we all want to feel more joy in our lives.
The smile on the participants face during a program or intervention we provide is pretty much the reason we do what we do.
We strive to help others attain that feel good feeling on a regular basis.
Through recreation, leisure and play we serve best by facilitating interventions that promote joy, and teach others how to independently cultivate joy in their own lives.
5. We are extremely supportive of one another
Ya’ll, I may tear up on this one.
The Therapeutic Recreation community to strong. There is something about being an underdog that just pulls a team together, creating an unspoken camaraderie between those in the field,
In my personal experience, recreational therapists share an beautiful bond of support. We understand each other struggles and get the unique calling we all received to enter into the field in the first place.
If you are seeking more support in your therapeutic recreation life I suggest hoping onto Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to connect with other recreational therapists. You could even start a meet-up in your city to meet other like minded RT’s.
6. Research is extremely supportive of us
It’s 2020, and the holistic health movement is strong. Therapeutic Recreation, this is our time to shine.
The field of Therapeutic Recreation IS ALL ABOUT evidence based practice.
If you are a practicing recreational therapist or you have aspirations of one day entering into the field, let me tell you.
You have a unique point of view that is needed on whatever treatment team you sit on. You will notice, observe, become aware of crucial information that needs to be shared with others. Be confident, even when you don’t feel it. Do things that are scary, even when you are full of fear.
Have faith that a higher purpose called you to this career and it’s your responsibility to shine as the brightest light you can, to cast out the darkness covering those around you.
(…thank you for coming to my Ted Talk…)
7. There is space for creativity
Have a new idea? Great.
What to try out a new intervention? Awesome.
Throughout my career I have been pushed to flex my creativity muscles when it comes to programming, treating and support those I serve.
If you are feeling like creativity is a skill you are still working on, I totally recommend popping over to one of the many TR Facebook groups to ask your questions or to get a group brainstorm going.
8. It’s a fun job
Quite a bit of our work is centered around interacting with other people, usually doing something fun.
I have spent time on the job doing activities like bowling, intense games of dodge-ball, playing rumi, painting, going to baseball games, and training for a 5K. You name it, I’ve probably done it.
With that being said, the fun is second to the safety and well-being of the folks we serve. But once that is taken care of, the best thing we can do is model good leisure and have fun ourselves.
Truth of the matter is, it is not all fun and games. Recreational therapists get a healthy does of computer work in their daily schedules including participant notes and assessments, as well as the never ending task of Outlook.
9. We can specialize based on our strengths
Working as a recreational therapist is extremely unique in that you can mold your work based on your strengths.
Talk about a strengths-based line of work.
For instance, I am a runner. I have worked with almost every population you can and in some creative fashion, have been able to take my own personal love for running and use it’s evidence-based benefits with those I serve. Even with my older adults, we did a walking group that tracked our progress around the province of Newfoundland.
So take some time and list your strengths. If you are someone who thrives in the fine arts, you can bring in your innate skills and talents to your work. Or if music runs through your bones, learn how to play the African drums.
10. We have the whole month of February to celebrate us
February is Therapeutic Recreation Month.
It is our moment to celebrate, connect and reflect on every little amazing detail of what we do.
We also get to take some time to project a future vision that takes our field and our ability to serve others to a whole new level. It’s kind of the new years reset for RT’s, being able to reflect and set goals for the upcoming year.
So, what are you going to do after this month to keep the RT Vibe going?
I’d love to know your plan! Comment and Share below 🙂
