How to fill time when off sick with stress?

[GreenApplesBlueSky]

My DCs are only with me sometimes. I'm off work until after Christmas. It's lonely by myself. I have rallied round friends for coffees, dinners, etc. and I try to put in 2 events a day.

What can I do when I'm by myself? Do you like being alone? Sell it to me, please!

Just relax. Watch some TV. Have a cup of tea. Don’t feel obliged to fill your day.

Hello! I'm currently off with stress too. Due back at the GP next week to review things and to see how I'm getting on.

I make sure I get out of the house everyday - even if it's just to walk the dog, but it means I'm not sitting around the house all day doing nothing. I've done a lot of cleaning/sorting, caught up on housework, binge-watched some TV and started doing things like adult colouring books to keep my mind busy.

I’ve had a few long term absences. Last one was with slipped discs. I watched a lot of box sets! I did some cleaning too. When I can motivate myself cleaning and tidying is quite therapeutic. Exercise is good, even if it’s just a walk. Wrap up warm and get outside. I have also learned to crochet which I find very therapeutic. It grows quickly and is quite easy to do. There’s loads of online tutorials you can follow and you can get hooks and yarn quite cheaply.

I just can't do nothing! I am used to a busy schedule with work projects... Wahhh! I am easier on myself, though, and try to wind down with a good book...

Dont make too many plans. Relax in a long lavender bath. Have a beauty session and pamper yourself. Try a bit of easy baking.

Yoga/meditation.
Start a new hobby, one that requires full concentration and to be slow (it was the only way I could slow my brain down when I was off first similar).
It was hard at first as it meant everything I was doing was focused on me which seemed strange but actually felt good to have me time after a while

Are you able to function ? Are you able to make decisions ?
A little bit of exercise is good .

Walk.
Read.
Write.
Draw , doodle .
Breathing , in and out slowly ..maybe use a meditation app in your phone .
What makes you feel good? Do a little of that .

I found knitting quite relaxing when going through a stressful period earlier this year.

I also made sure I went for a walk every day, whatever the weather; that helped immensely.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sorry that reply was for ReluctantCountess!
Adaline welcome, buddy! I don't have a dog but I do have a walking partner in my village, It was hard not being able to drive but that will change soon. I've done a lot of house jobs like curtain fixing and sewing. It has been 3 months. I am desperate to get back to work.

Faith I'm sorry you had the same. Yes, cleaning and tidying, although I live alone so there's only so much mess in the first time. Crochet sounds like a good idea. Maybe I need something like this...

Your body /mind has told you you are doing too much . Listen to it .

Swimming, dog walking, yoga, Pilates, hairdressers, manicures?

Thank you for other suggestions! I think I should take up knitting, or find a new hobby. It will help when I can drive again next week. At the moment I get the bus into town but I do walks around the village with my friend. I've also taken up old friendships and met people for coffees but I am not so good at lavender baths and pampering... Need to get better. Going to start some Xmas shopping, too....

I try not to be too hard on myself. If all I feel like doing is curling up on the sofa, then that's what I do. Some days are better than others but I don't let myself feel guilty if I haven't achieved much!

I need to borrow a dog!
AnneKipanki great name! Yes, I think maybe my body was telling me it was too much... but now it is the opposite direction and not enough. I've just volunteered to help with Xmas rush in a local gift shop and am going to go to art galleries. The days are so long.

Adaline That is a good attitude. I've had more sleep and got up later, some days lounged around in PJs a bit before doing some stretches and having a bath. I'm finding it difficult to be in my own company. It's ok when my kids or partner are here, but the rest of the time feels long and boring. Neverending!

You have 2 social engagements every day?! I'd find that stressful but I'm quite an introvert. I love my own company. I can always find chores to do and if the house is clean and tidy I might clear out a cupboard or deep clean the fridge. My favourite thing to do is look up new recipes and cook them for the family, also baking cakes etc. I love going for long walks in nature, or pottering around antique shops, art galleries etc. Early showing of a film. So many options!

Try to slow down and potter around. I had to when I was off sick with stress to turn off my body's fight or flight response. I'd been rushing around so long it was just a habit. Slow your heart rate, let your body and mind heal.

I did recover from that episode but recently became very ill with M. E. Again, the advice is to slow down and pace yourself

I can now easily fill a day doing not very much. Short activities with TV time and resting in bed for 30 mins at a time in between. Eg

Make a cup of tea
Sit and drink it with mn on phone
Put some washing on
Watch an episode of something
Hang washing up
Empty dishwasher
Rest in bed for 30 mins
Peel some potatoes for dinner later
Cuddle pet for 10 mins
Have a bath
Wrap a couple of birthday presents
Etc etc.

Decluttering is great as you can do a tiny bit at a time. You get an instant boost mentally by regaining space and ditching the mental clutter associated with that item. Taking things to a charity shop or recycling centre gets you out of the house with a purpose.

I know it's very MN, but if you are able to focus, how about Duolingo? 34 hours there is equivalent to one term of university in terms of language skills, according to the app, and you can pick up something from school or start something entirely new. I've gone from being able to say hello to being able to read a book in my target language in around 10 weeks - usually do two sessions per day, but some days have more time, and average about 3 hours a week.

It takes some getting used to, if you are used to the kind of learning we had back when I was at school - drilling and rote, with rules etc- and I found that I did need to find some of the "rules" when I had progresses beyond basics, but only because I needed to understand for myself what was going on (because I was frustrated that I couldn't work everything out). I think, if you use it on a computer, there's more functionality and more things like pdfs and fora, but I am very happy with the free app.

Not that I think being off with stress means that you need to fill your time or be productive, mind you: but you said that you miss the intellectual challenge of work.

Hope you feel better soon

Sally I used to think I was an introvert but I am finding I need to look out to others to break my day up a bit. Think I am missing my family. There are some great ideas there, thank you so much. I can deep clean my fridge and reorganise a few cupboards. I need to put a net curtain up in one of my rooms. It will be easier once I can drive to these places to buy stuff!

Bluewaves That is SUCH good advice about slowing down. I need to start cooking for myself and just create a bit more mess. Unfortunately I don't have a pet. My day is a bit like yours, otherwise - cups of tea around getting the bus and hanging out somewhere, bit of tv sometimes. I'm lucky to get on with my ex so I hang out with him and my DCs sometimes... It will be easier to get out once I can drive again (couldn't drive for 3 months due to illness). I live in the middle of nowhere - luckily on a bus route. This thread is helping me soooo much!

Can you crochet? If you can make squares I'm sure the lovely Woolly Hugs folk would be very grateful for contributions to any of those projects.

Would help to fill some time and also do something for others.

Pilipilihoho Thank you for that suggestion. Yes, it's the intellectual challenge I miss a bit. That's a fantastic idea. I am also signed up to a course which I can start any time. Maybe now is good!

Romaine I can't crochet but maybe I should learn. I would love to help others.

Exercise, of any sort, but ideally outdoors eg walk in park.

I've just volunteered to help with Xmas rush in a local gift shop and am going to go to art galleries.

Going to art galleries sounds great but I think your work place would take a dim view of you doing voluntary work when you are signed off work.

If you are desperate to go back to work and want things to do, can you not just go back to work? If not, I would be looking at things to actively manage your stress levels. If it’s work related, have you and your workplace got some new strategies and processes in place?