Recreation is an interesting word, isn't it? If something is enjoyable but it's part of your job, you may feel that it re-creates you, in a sense - but that's not considered recreation.
One day when I was talking with someone at work and I asked him when and how he did research, because his other responsibilities at work must take up most of his time, he referred to research as his hobby - that's his re-creation.
Another person I spoke with at work mentioned that she was anticipating a relaxing weekend of getting things organized in her house. To me, that would be an aversive task. For her, it's re-creation.
In general usage, recreation seems to mean things like:
playing with your kid
reading a novel
doing something physical like yoga or rock climbing
What makes something recreation? The fact that something is fun? The fact that you do it in your non-work time, i.e. not as your job? The fact that it involves effort, but the effort is pleasurable for you?
What about sleeping in? Could that be re-creation?
At what point does an enjoyable but challenging activity that you do without remuneration (writing sonnets... playing the guitar...) become 'work'? Can work be recreation?
What do you do to re-create yourself?
