Christmas alone on 'bed rest'. Any tips?

[123456789xyz]

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 would say trying a really absorbing computer game would actually be perfect.

Something like Monument Valley on a phone or tablet would be good, it’s a very lovely engrossing puzzle game
also rather dafter and nowhere near as beautiful is Cats in Time but still good for trying to find things
Also for tablet/phone (I know they are all definitely available on Apple)
The Room (slightly spooky puzzles)
Hidden Folk (basically Where’s Wally)
Little Alchemy (making things out of different elements)

I don't know what your prognosis is after the month when your family are away but I am wondering if you would like a pet. They are wonderful company if you are going to be ill long term.
I find audio books easier than reading when I am ill.
I love Radio 4 and find it very good company when ill, and with the sounds app and a Bluetooth speaker you can choose what you listen to so can listen to aa whole series.
if your mind is less tired, then Duo Lingo or Coursera-you can do the Harvard well being course for free.
wishing you peace and all the best

A little thing but… Teach yourself how to do a Rubik’s cube?

Podcasts? The sims? Roller coaster tycoon?

I just don't get why people don't read the OPs' updates before responding, this is across threads. How hard can it be? I almost feel like doing an AIBU over this...

If you're thinking about meditation the Healthy Minds Program app is really good. Free to use and combines short talks about the ideas behind mindfulness with meditations.

Would you crochet for someone else? I crochet birds nests for rescue shelters https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-information/general-information/making-nests-for-wildlife-in-care and as springtime is coming, they will be in demand.

Alternatively, twiddle muffs for dementia patients might suit you https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/TwiddlemuffCrocher.pdf and there are other examples on Google.

If you fancy crocheting then making granny squares could be good, they don’t take long individually (so you won’t get bored/ lack concentration) then you can sew them together to make a blanket, either for yourself or as a gift.

Or, to give the task meaning, you could knit (either needles or a knitting loom) hats or scarfs to donate to homeless shelters?

Knitting or crochet is good as it keep the hans and mind busy but doesn’t need total concentration so isn’t too tiring. Especially loom knitting, it really is very easy to get started,

I tend to watch tv series when I'm ill. Death in Paradise is a good one and I watched all of Highland Cops last time I was ill.

Have you ever tried meditation? My GP recommended the Headspace app. It is really good. It includes beginners course. Meditation is very good for your mental health and very good for proper rest and relaxation. It gives you a mental and physical break: I also find it actually very enjoyable.

I feel so sorry for you, OP..

Rubix cube and watch lots of tutorials and learn how to solve it - it’s very addictive and you completely lose track of time!!

Once you can solve it practice getting quicker and time yourself 😂

Do you have a sewing machine? The quilt kits from LegitKits are absolutely amazing - not cheap, but really absorbing. And you can literally do one seam at a time, so very manageable in very short bursts. Legit Kits
Or something easier to order from the UK, and a bit simpler: Scandi Festive Tree Mini Quilt Kit – Pre-Cut Christmas Quilt

The Sims could be a good one, if not Stardew Valley. Very easy to get lost in it for days. Just wondering if anything in it could be triggering, in which case Stardew Valley might be safer, but you may want to look into it.

Hugs @123456789xyz I hear you load and clear - I'm also a stress-cleaner!

I've also spent many years managing a chronic illness, with periods of extended bed rest, and there are some really good tips on this thread.

Start with making a plan (this is also something to "do"). What have you always wanted to get round to but never find the time? - Sorting photos for an album, clothes for charity shop, learning a musical instument, learning to crochet, embroidery, coding..etc. now is your chance, see this as an opportunity not a restriction! Make a list, as many things as you can think of.

Set some achievable goals (don't be overambitious), so when you look back it you remember what you did get done and it doesn't feel like you "wasted" the time while stuck in bed.

Draw up a timetable so you can structure your time e.g. morning/afternoon, rather than trying to think of something to do every day.

Break up anything that involves any physical work (cooking, sorting, gentle cleaning) or brain work (Lego, jigsaws, origami) with passive activities (movies, radio, podcasts).

Be realistic. Schedule in rest breaks, you will need them.

<Voice of experience>
Don't overdo it (like going for walks when you're supposed to be resting), otherwise you are likely to have a setback and then have to spend even more time in bed..

I would recommend having lots of little puzzles to try:

stackdown
waffle
rankle
hardle
wordle
quintumble

there is a nice website with prompts and word count (think it is deadlines for writers). You can sign up and then comment on other people’s stories too. If you’re a teacher I think this would really appeal to you and gives you something else to focus on.

can your friend that visits come and sit in your garden?

I hope you recover quickly - I’m now recovered, but I remember well how hard it is.

i think a puzzle is a great distraction

How are things OP? I hope you're managing to rest and entertain yourself.

Could you use the time to make fiddly canapes that you wouldn't dually have time for?

Or sort out photos, or declutter?