The activity does not matter most, but the underlying recovery experiences do. People differ in what they consider a recovery activity. Some prefer to read a book or go for a walk. Others prefer to go out with friends. We call this recovery experiences: having psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery experiences and control over leisure time.
It can be particularly helpful in calming down after work. So relaxation is not only an individual activity but can also occur when you are for example on a walk with your partner and you are talking about your workday.
Individuals who experience a high level of control in their job, can have recovery opportunities even during working time. This possibility can make detachment and relaxation at home more likely. But it can also imply that you need to make work decisions during your off-job time. So, job control can form a buffer that makes sure that individuals still can experience recovery.
