Christmas alone on 'bed rest'. Any tips?

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I don't want to drip feed but also don't want to be too outing so will try to keep details general.

My mother died a few months ago and we decided (me, Dad, siblings) to boycott Christmas and go away for a holiday somewhere far away and warm. I've been looking forward to it for months, especially as my father (who is basically allergic to the cold) and siblings all went away on similarly exotic month-long trips on Boxing Day the last several years in a row and I stayed to care for Mum.

Long story short, my health collapsed a few weeks ago and I'm not fit to fly. I've told them to go without me. They leave tomorrow for a month. Technically I'm meant to be on bed rest but find it hard to stay still and the medical team I'm under (who will do home visits a few times a week) understand that.

I've got loads of books and I plan to go to the library and stock up. I've also got a few jigsaws. I hate colouring books and I'm too impatient and restless at the moment for films or sewing/embroidery etc. I've organised to meet a friend for a walk on Saturday (which I know I shouldn't but I'm going to go crazy if I don't) There's no one else around and it's going to be my only chance this side of New Year to chat with someone who isn't someone from the NHS and who can actually chat about their life rather than mine.

How would you handle this? Any advice or suggestions welcome.

I agree, this kind of structure really helps me

My last block of rest I did - productive activity in the morning (studying for a course/remote volunteering); reading books in the afternoon (and I track them on the Storygraph app); watching films/TV in the evening.

Since you liked the knot-tying suggestion: Learn Knot Training Board, Wooden Knot Tying Practice Board Kit with 16 Popular Knots and 10 Nylon Paracord, DIY Hands on Ropes Training Board Multifunctional Outdoor Skills Educational Tool

Mine was Line of Duty from S1 Ep1!

Where are you?

I'm sorry to hear about your mum, and that you are struggling with anorexia.

My suggestions are:

• Crosswords etc - online and books.

-Finch App - to keep a record of how you are feeling and also to give yourself daily goals. There are also mental health first aid prompts that you can do.

• Journalling if you'd prefer that to an app or both

• Scrapboking and making a lovely family scrapbook with your favourite photos and memories. It might be a bit too much emotionally at the moment though.

• listening to podcasts etc. I like these of BBC Sounds - Life Changing (inspirational) Its A Fair Cop (Funny) theres absolutely loads, so if you havent had a look.

• Audiobooks

• Calligraphy might be fun to start, especially if you are Journaliing or scrapbooking

• one of the Book Nook kits. They look fun and you could do a bit a day.

Yes, the free Open University courses are great, and absorbing.

Have you ever tried video/PC games? Something like Civilisation or The Sims? I don't play this sort of game myself, but the rest of my family do and it certainly eats up a lot of time! Or maybe online chess,bridge or scrabble? You could even get family members to join in with you in learning/playing remotely. I have been playing online bridge with a friend who is recovering from a horrific foot operation, and is in a similar position to you. We play using 'Funbridge'. If you are a beginner, No Fear Bridge is good for teaching the rules in an interactive way.

Take care of yourself

I wouldn’t go for the walk if you’ve been told bed rest.
Can the friend come to you?
Can you speak to friends on the phone/facetime/whatsapp?
Online games?
Easy TV/films

As someone said to me a few years ago, you can use your calories to heal or to exercise, or even to diet. But only one at a time. If you’re sick, slow right down, in order to speed up your recovery.

Don't forget that we are here for you as well. 🌷

If you get bored and need to chat log into MN.

Start threads on here or talk to people on here. I’m sitting in hospital with my mum at the moment and she’s asleep so I’m mumsnetting.

YouTube is also great for a variety of things. Any interests etc you’ll find something on there.

Am sorry you're having such a tough time on so many levels and now have to miss your holiday.

Some things that I found passed time when I was in a similar position (totally get about not finding it easy to stay still/rest/concentrate):

Not colouring books but postcards/cards so it feels like there's a purpose and then you can send them to people
I know you said no sewing/embroidery but I wondered if cross stitch might be more accessible as it's simpler and a soothing repetitive action?
Hama beads - you can make things and iron or just start over and there are some amazing patterns out there
Other simple crafts like melting glass beads to make window ornaments or jewellery
Phone games - I find the matching ones, world building and solitaire word games the most absorbing
Paper crafts - there is a great website called Red Ted art which has lots of ideas: https://www.redtedart.com
And also this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub

I know a lot of these are aimed at kids but they are also simple and absorbing

I don't know if journalling would be helpful too or something like making soap or candles?

Really wishing you well - it's such a hard stage but you sound very committed and I really hope things start to improve soon

Watch a lot of classic movies. Reread a favourite book series. Get a daily newspaper delivered.

If you hate colouring, might you enjoy one of those complicated paint by numbers that ends up looking like a classic work of art?

I’m so sorry, you deserve better than this.

Are you joking?

Buy a guitar or ukulele and learn to play a song for your mum

Loom knitting is very easy to get started and doesn’t need skill, and you can quickly make things.

Amazon link

Easy to find instructions / patterns on YouTube or a book if you prefer that.

It’s 2025 you can still have social interaction- albeit on FaceTime. But surely you can arrange for you family at least to call you several times a day. Same with inviting friends around to come and sit with you even if it’s only for half an hour at a time. You shouldn’t be going for walks or going to the library. Again ask friends to drop some books over to you or neighbours.

@Wambamaloomaawambamboo Absolutely not. A qualified and experienced dietitian said it to me when I was sick.

I'm sorry you have had such a rubbish year. Please don't try and do too much too soon. The hospitals aren't coping with the current flu outbreak so it would be foolish to risk your recovery by needing to be admitted to hospital.

I have had to have this conversation with DH who is recovering from open heart surgery and wants to run before he can walk, so to speak.

The liquid supplements are calorie and nutrition dense and will help to build you up.

Wishing you a speedy recovery 💐

I was on bed rest for a couple of weeks after an accident recently. It was pretty rubbish to be honest but there were some things that were quite fun! I really enjoyed doing nonograms, diamond painting, regular painting, I did a book nook which was fun. Lots of friends came to hang out and chat which was really nice. Netflix was great too. I liked the water sort puzzle on my phone, reading lots and also enjoyed a few documentaries which was a surprise. I had a fab time planning out my entire life on Pinterest 😆 I also had quite a good time doing different make up tutorials. Didn’t matter if they looked awful as I wasn’t seeing anyone! Nice pampering was good too, I developed a very elaborate skincare routine by the end of the two weeks

This most definitely.

I really hope you missed the OP's update!!

I am almost certainly out of line in saying this, but I can't help myself.
You have for several years been the carer who allowed the family to escape for some days in the sun at Christmas. It seems to me very sad indeed that when your own health collapsed nobody was willing to stay home and give you some company. (Although I concede that I don't know the full context and you may have a host of very annoying siblings and would prefer to be alone!)

I was going to suggest Lego too. I did this recovering form surgery and during chemo. Buy second hand from eBay to keep costs low. Do an audible free trial - easier than actually reading. BBC sounds also has lots of good and varied content. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

I’m currently reading Wintering by Katherine May. It talks about getting through difficult (winter) times both metaphorically but also through talking about this time of year. It’s wonderful so far and is helping me reframe how I see fallow times in my life. I have a long term health condition so am quite often confined to home and struggle with it.