SURVEY SAYS: Leisure Time

Last week, I asked NewsDash readers, “How much time on an average day do you spend on leisure activities, and what leisure activity do you spend the most time doing?”

From an hour to two hours was selected as the amount of time on an average day spent on leisure activities by most responding readers (44.9%). Nearly one-third (32.6%) reported they spend from two hours to three hours on leisure activities. Slightly more than 12% said they spend from one minute to one hour on leisure activities, from three hours to four hours and from four hours to five hours were each selected by 4.1% of respondents and 2% of respondents chose more than five hours.

Nearly one-third (32.6%) of responding readers spend most of their leisure time watching TV, 20.4% spend most of the time engaging in sports or exercise and 18.4% spend most of their time reading for personal interest. Two percent each selected gardening, playing games on or not on a computer and using the computer for personal leisure time. Among those who chose ‘other,’ activities included playing with pets or children, ‘tinkering in workshop,’ ‘working on orchard,’ listening to books or watching movies on DVD, and needle point and cross stitching.

Not surprisingly, many of the readers who left general comments about leisure time said there is not enough of it. Several readers multi-task their leisure activities, and one reader encouraged us all to take up square dancing. Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who said, “If anyone out there has too much leisure time and would like to come over and clean my house, let me know!”

Verbatim 

While I don't own a TV, I do spend a lot of time on the computer (mostly on Facebook). Time killers...

I encourage everyone to consider taking up square dancing. The image of bolo ties and crinolines is way outdated. It's a great way to exercise body and brain, while having a great time.

I exercise to keep going and to keep my sanity.

I check out books at CD at the local library and listen to them while on my work commute, doing the laundry, dishes, cleaning . . . . Nothing like a good murder mystery to entertain me!

I generally spend 30-60 minutes a day watching TV, and read a book for about an hour. I also exercise, but I do NOT count that as leisure time!

No Time to much to do -especially in the summer months.

2 hours of leisure time?! I need to start living my life! I'll start tomorrow; yes, tomorrow...

Never enough leisure time. I used to spend more time reading and exercising, but now I am just too tired. I don't have the energy to do anything other than check Facebook, catch-up on Words with Friends and perhaps 1-2 solitaire games. Then it’s off to bed before it starts all over again.

If anyone out there has too much leisure time and would like to come over and clean my house, let me know!

During the week there seems to be only enough time to catch up on a few shows. The weekend is where we try to cram in seeing friends/family, gardening, excising, house projects, etc. Leisure now pretty much means anything other than work. 🙂

Verbatim (cont.) 

Leisure time what is leisure time I call it if I don't sit down I am going to fall down time!

There never seems to be enough of it.

I don't consider it leisure, I consider it decompression.

I'm a mom of young kids, so I don't get much, but when I do, I try to really savor it.

These days, having a computer in the palm of my hand makes it easier to spend time here and there playing games and socializing.

I wonder what leisure time in retirement will be like.

I consider "leisure time" as time to do something for myself. This survey made me realize how little "leisure" time I have after working all day, cooking, eating, doing the dishes, etc. Thanks a lot!

I'll guarantee you one thing. Whether it's a minute or an hour, it sure as heck isn't wasted "surfing".

I need more leisure time to pursue more activities on this list!

There is never enough leisure time. I do exercise almost every day, but I love to read and when I get tired of reading I watch TV. Sometimes I read on commercials and watch most of the shows to maximize my leisure time.