Stress and tension run at record levels. Contemporary leisure habits have not helped to address our modern, lifestyle anxieties. Philosophical tradition does contain valuable insights into living more happily and freely through leisure, but these have rarely been plundered by contemporary philosophers.In this book Hayden Ramsay introduces an older wisdom on breaking up our stresses and developing leisure choices tha offer deep, on-going recreation. The reflective life is the key to a richer active life. He discusses ways in which this philosophy supports insights of leisure studies experts and sociologists who have been arguing much the same for some time. The book contains critique of consumerist leisure, suggestions on balancing leisure and work, and discussion of leisure and the arts.In four of the chapters, the author discusses particular areas of leisure - sport, travel, reading and music - and argues for more playful and more reflective approaches to all of these.