What little things do you do to cheer yourself up if you are ill and fed up?

[CassandraWebb]

I am chronically ill anyway, so spend a lot of time struck resting. Now I have a nasty bug on top of that and struggling to fight it off (I am immune suppressd) and struggling to make peace with another weekend ill and doing nothing at home. It's dragging me down, I feel like I've run out of ways to be ok about having to rest again and I need inspiration!

(I normally try and look on the bright side/try and find something to enjoy but weeks of endless illness are grinding me down now)

Are we taking about inside non active things? In this case I look up different theatres/cinemas and do a list of possible outings, research interesting places to eat in our area for birthdays/ anniversaries, and read MN threads in Holidays section.
E.g in the autumn it’s usually researching Christmas food and Christmas activities.

However my very first relaxation action is always a cup of tea with biscuit/ chocolate while checking online where my favourite chocolates / biscuits are on offer atm. I love to be prepared for rainy days 🙂

Sorry yeah I should have been clearer - I mean too ill to leave the house things

I have been ill for so long all the finding joy in being at home has gone from me. I try so hard to accept being stuck in bed but just feeling fed up and need new inspiration I think

I do have a wheelchair now so can normally go out but I am not well enough to with this bug, it's truly hideous (but equally am finally past the horror days of last week where I was so ill I didn't feel like doing anything at all)

I’m sorry that sucks. My daughter is chronically ill and we spend a lot of time at home. When we’re feeling fed up we do favourites day. Favourite pyjamas/loungewear, mani/pedis with favourite colours (do a home spa together), favourite foods, favourite box set/movie or book. Etc … I hope you feel better soon.

Ooh I love that idea . And actually I haven't painted my nails in ages I might try that tomorrow thank you!

(And I am sorry to hear about your daughter)

I've been struck with covid this week and miserable, so been binge watching some shows and eating rubbish food. Sorry, that's all I've got

I can totally relate. I leave the house on average 1-2 times a week. Virtually no one visits. DH out at work five days a week. I spend ALOT of time resting.

Ways I rest to make it more interesting!!
Yoga Nidra - You tube
Lie down listen to rain/piano music - You tube
Meditations - Calm app
Naps

Activities

• Live online yoga for fatigue class
• Have a bath with epsom salts, lavender oil, candles and relaxing music or a podcast
• Watch tv
• Read
• Podcasts
• Listen to music
• Scroll social media
• Chat to people on online forums - Facebook support groups and Mumsnet!
• Adult colouring
• Cooking
• Baking
• Online shopping for nice things for myself (candles, clothes, makeup, skincare)
• Planning simple activities out of the house that aren’t too exhausting eg cinema, theatre, meal out
• Keep on top of self care and chores and life admin!

The virtual village hall has lots of activities that you can do for free from home

Watch TV programmes that require no thinking such as Keeping Up Appearances or the Thin Blue Line.
Write lists of things I can see or hear or reach out and touch.
Day dream and make up stories in my mind and tell them to myself.
Play cards.
Make things with polymer clay.
Embroidery, knitting, sewing.

Thank you, I like the idea of the live yoga for fatigue will look that up for days when I feel up to it. And I haven't heard of the virtual village hall that sounds interesting!

The yoga class is ran by Fiona Agombar every Monday at 11am it’s fantastic

Also the frog project offer live online yoga classes most days although it’s not specifically for fatigue

>Watch TV programmes that require no thinking such as Keeping Up Appearances or the Thin Blue Line.

^^ this. But my go to programmes are Poirot and Columbo. Old fashioned murders with a bit of interest but none of the horrors of modern life. I definitely find periods of ignoring press stories helps with pain management.

Adult colouring books.

Free audio books from Libby via my library app.

My favourite childhood films or stuff like Ray Harryhausen, Clash of the Titans with the old fashioned stop motion animation.

Basically anything that puts my brain in denial and into a fantasy world helps.

The OH bought me Enid Blyton books last year. I am 49!! I was thrilled.

I caught Covid for the first time last Wednesday.I feel ghastly.

The best things are my bed - bliss
And the fact that my bedroom has windows facing east, south and west so it's been bathed in sunshine all yesterday, and warm.

Nothing else helps except paracetamol and sleep.😩

I like reading all the latest magazines for free on the library app.
Also planning or doing a craft project, knitting or cross stitch are my favourites.

Join The Oddfellows, it's a friendship society that run lots of online activities. You can join in with online coffee mornings, talks, quizzes, yoga etc. all from your home.

And when you are well enough you can get out in your local area and join in face to face meet ups. It's great.

I’m in the same situation as you OP, and my “pick me up” is always a candle-lit bubble bath, a relaxing spa playlist on Spotify and a good book. That or binge-watching a good trash TV series, like a dating show or something.

Can you sit in the garden? I know it's chilly but if you had some blankets and pillows would that work? I always feel better for some fresh air.

God yes... keeping up appearances, brilliant for when you're a bit ill. Love that.

Thanks all. I've had a bath with some lovely oils.

I think the thing is I am on bed rest a lot so spend such huge amounts of my life reading /watching TV that they have just got no "indulgence" value any more . I have taken up embroidery to have something to do but I can only do small amounts before my arms feel too weak, same with colouring or Lego etc.

I'm genuinely usually able to stay positive about it all, but normally I manage at least a trip out in my chair to liven the day up.

I love the idea of sitting out in the garden but our garden is grim at the moment and I am too unwell to do anything about it (and DH does nearly all the housework)

Sorry to be so moany, just feeling a bit lost today. It's the thought of going back to work tomorrow (I can work from home /my daybed) having done nothing all weekend again that's getting to me

I should just be feeling grateful this bug didn't land me in hospital!

I will try painting my nails later I think

The yoga sounds really good. @JLT24 you keep yourself busy, albeit at home!

Fed up atm as well.

Me, and both DD’s (9 & 14) have come down with a vomiting bug. Trying to just survive the day tbh, it’s been hell. DD14 has chronic illness as well and so she is feeling like absolute shit. Can barely talk because she feels awful, I feel so helpless.

when we went through the awful years before she was diagnosed, we binge watched Gilmore girls. We would wake up, sit on the sofa and watch it all day. It sounds so stupid but it helped. Another thing when she felt kind of ok was we’d bake (sitting down at the table)

and also nail painting, crafts etc.

but I feel like absolute shit at the moment as well as I’ve been diagnosed with Pots and am in the middle of a flare up while trying to help the kids and feeling awful.

I wish my wife was home but she has to work!

rant over