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The word – entertainment is not new to us, and everyone can identify some form of entertainment at least. What are entertainment and its benefits? – A question that may get stereotypical responses. This article will explore entertainment and its benefits.

Entertainment and Its Benefits

We all love being entertained and look forward to the things we consider entertainment. The first question to answer will be – what is entertainment? Then what are the different types of entertainment?

 

What is entertainment?

Entertainment is any action that elicits the feeling of amusement, enjoyment, pleasure, fun, and relaxation and holds one’s interest. It is also defined as a funny or interesting performance.

The definitions imply that any activity that makes one feel pleasure and delight can fall under the list. However, this post will focus on activities that are generally labeled entertainment, including some that we often overlook or do not consider. Below is a list of some activities that can be labelled entertainment.

 

Different types of entertainment

1. Watching TV
2. Going to the movies
3. Playing video games
4. Surfing the internet
5. Listening to music
6. Dancing
7. Playing sports
8. Going out to eat
9. Going to a bar or a club
10. Going to a comedy club
11. Going to see a magic show
12. Going to concert
13. Seeing a play or musical
14. Attending a festival
15. Going to a theme park
16. Going to a spa
17. Going for a drive
18. Going for a walk or hike
19. Travelling
20. Going fishing
21. Going to the beach
22. Seeing a sunset or sunrise
23. Stargazing
24. Birdwatching
25. Visiting a museum or an art gallery
26. Taking a wine tour
27. Taking cooking classes
28. Taking pictures
29. Reading
30. Meditating or prayer
31. Open Mic Nights
32. Circus
33. Carnival
34. Concerts
35. Food Festival
36. Shopping
37. Road trips
38. Pet shows
39. Extreme sports and recreational activities
40. Movies and TV Shows
41. Books and Writing
42. Singing 
43. Video Games
44. Sporting EventsComedy
45. Theater and Drama
46. Magic Shows
47. Traveling 

 

Read also:

What Makes Up The Entertainment Industry

Digital Trends Shaping The Future of Media and Entertainment

 

 

Benefits of entertainment

According to research outcome by Jeffery Goldstein, The benefits of entertainment can be cognitive, social, emotional, or physiological. 

Music is known to improve mood management function. Researchers have also reported that music affects brain development, language, and cognitive development (Goldstein, 2016).

Entertainment is fun, hence the saying – play is fun. Fun elicits positive emotions, which include humor. This is not surprising as people turn to fun activities when things seem bleak.

Entertainment generally contributes to a sense of well-being and health. “The positive effects of video gaming may also prove relevant in therapeutic interventions targeting psychiatric disorders, particularly depression.” (Goldstein, 2016) 

You can also enjoy music, a film, a video game, or a YouTube video with friends and family and get positive outcomes like improved mood, stronger friendship and family bonds, and increased competence.

In this era of the internet boom, making skits and videos for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Reels, has become common. This does not only serve to entertain the video makers and their audience, but it has also become a way of earning a living. We can safely say that entertainment is a job.

The trend in major entertainment houses like Hollywood, Nollywood, and Bollywood shows that the entertainment industry has become central to chronicling and preserving culture. Elezaj Relind (2019) puts it this way – movies inspire us, create awareness of multiple aspects of life, mirror culture, shape culture, and teach us history.

Therefore, entertainment relieves stress, promotes creativity and productivity, helps people develop friendships and self-esteem, makes learning fun, provides distractions from monotonous routines, provides employment, and nurtures culture.

 

Disadvantages of entertainment

Besides the benefits outlined above, entertainment has also been reported to contribute to some public health issues. This is mainly in the area of mental health. This is because some forms of entertainment can affect our emotional well-being and create mental stress.

Just like the saying goes – too much of everything is bad -, “multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.” (Help Guide, Dec 2022)

Another disadvantage is that some fiction infused into entertainment may also be passed down as culture.

 

Share your thoughts on Entertainment and its benefits in the comment box below

 

Written by Chinyere Nwosu