Angry at myself for lying on couch all day.

[Roxylox]

I have spent a huge percentage of this Monday lying on the couch, only getting up when l really had to. Can anybody help me get out of this awful habit? Today has been an alltime record in such days

[Adlon57]

Very similar but I have been in semi isolation for the 6 years, meant to be getting better, but no another sick day lying around the house, I have a valid excuse, more than a work colleague of my nephews, always saying he is sick, obviously been looking up his excuse sick lines, can't come in [and he finds another medical excuse online🙄] I want to get out, enjoy my new time retirement, but a new sick cause [quite valid] pulls me back😤

[Roxylox in reply to Adlon57]

I'm sorry to hear that. I am also sick.l jave been diagnosed with cancer, but am feeling physically fit. I am not on treatment yet, but it seems l would do better on treatment if l am physically activeIts my stupid brain wont let me

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Roxylox]

Hi Roxylox,

I can't imagine what you're going through with your recent diagnosis, but I know from personal experience that sickness and fear take an awful toll. Your brain isn't acting stupid, it's stressed and trying to help you survive. Try not to approach your physical inactivity as failure. Good days and bad. Me too.

My husband also has cancer. His oncologist told us on the first visit that the biggest thing he could do for himself to support the fight against cancer was fiber. The doctor stressed no, not probiotics, not supplements -- lots of soluble and insoluble fiber daily. The reason, as he explained it, is to support a huge, varied growth of healthy bacteria in his digestive system.

I'm not a medical professional. I have no idea if this applies to the type of cancer you've been diagnosed with. Doesn't hurt to ask though.

Please try not to beat up on yourself. It makes things so much harder.

What works to get me moving is kinda counterintuitive, but I keep a record of every teeny thing I'm ALREADY doing. I notice I don't give myself credit otherwise and feel like a failure at the end of the day. When I see in black and white that I've already:

* Started keeping a record of stuff I get done.

* Ate something.

* Did a load of laundry.

You get the idea. It builds on itself. I hope you get the support you need here today to feel a bit better about yourself.

[Roxylox in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Just seen this reply. Thanks NBP

[Adlon57 in reply to Roxylox]

Snap! currently waiting results of PC, but decapeptyl injections put my hormones up the left, brain fog!

[Roxylox in reply to Adlon57]

Good luck

[Adlon57 in reply to Roxylox]

Thanks!🤞

[Adlon57 in reply to Adlon57]

Very lucky recently my old local health centre has moved, the NEW health centre caught my PC episode in the change, my GP practice from the old to the new [in the Health Centre's], caught me at my worst mid February, they have gone WAY over the top, realising I have not got too far to go🥴😆 have got up regular routines, scans, tests, MRI's, booklets, bloods, etc, especially for me, very friendly agreement between us, we know they can't really do anything for me, but make it as comfortable on the last lap👍

[Roxylox in reply to Adlon57]

Glad you sre getting help you se6em happy

[Xene]

Hi, I can totally relate to that. Unfortunately the only thing that works for me is will power and forcing myself or else stuff doesn’t get done and it doesn’t more often than not🤷‍♀️

[Arymretep]

Hi indeed , it is a habit as you say which it’s so easy to fall into especially in this cold weather, and all you want to do is watch TV , and when you’re retired it gets worse lol.

So I try and plan each day, to do something each day at least not to feel useless, today I decided to sort my bathroom out which needed a good clearing, I can only do so much with my Arthritis but I felt so much better afterward , then I rewarded myself with a cream cake 👍 I

I try and and plan for each day , however small it is, once you get into a routine it helps to get through the day. Do you have any hobbies at all ?

[Hidden in reply to Arymretep]

hi roxy and M yes i always have a plan doesnt always happen i try sit in window in sun to recharge me the SAD winter as really took its toll this year but its nearly over next year ill be getting my seasonal disorder lighy lamp out unless thr electric price has hit thr foof more, all i wanted to do with lay on settee and would have if i lived on my own i am so tired but cant get good nights sleep, so much going on in my mind and i try to read my book but can absorb it, been ok at home today i went out to shop through park its such relief when turn through them gated see the park and the pink blossom tree the sun came out too,cant swim yet, have a good nights sleep🤗😺xx

[Roxylox in reply to Hidden]

Lovely to sit in window by the sun

[Hidden in reply to Roxylox]

yes thats the best thing im off bed now if go too late i cant sleep after been here night night 🤗🌝

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Arymretep]

What's cream cake? I deserve some. I organized my spices! 😊🦜

[Arymretep in reply to Nothing_but_books]

🧁🍰, well done 👍

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Arymretep]

😁🦜

[Roxylox in reply to Arymretep]

My reply to you got lost. I have no active hobbies. I like crosswords. I like Scrabble on my phone. I used to love reading, but can't concentrate on it anymore. I force myself to go for a brief walk regularly with my phone radio on, l don't enjoy it much.

[Adlon57 in reply to Arymretep]

Yes A new job not from the routine keeps the doctor away👍

[AnxiousSilver]

I get like this myself, A LOT.

But instead of "the couch", it's more like the extra time or "the struggle" of getting out of bed.

.

& I definitely beat myself up mentally at times about this.

Sometimes my body "needed" the extra time, but even with that I'm still hard on myself.

IDK, I do it too, and I need to find that "balance" of acknowledging when my body needs it more, (sleep and stuff) vs getting in a bad habit of staying in bed too much.

.

I know that I'm not really answering your question, but I do it too, and (probably) needed the extra time this morning.

& ATM I'm currently questioning if it was really needed, or could I have gotten up sooner. (& Here I am reading your post)

Take Care.

[Arymretep in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Yes that’s more my problem too, I could stay in bed all day sometimes and have to push myself to get up lol I have a chronic pain syndrome so if my pain is playing up I’ll have a lie in, but then if I stay too long it make the pain worse as i stiffen up, I can’t win !!

We’re all different but I feel lazy doing nothing all day , not to mention bored out of my mind, I like to be busy , I suppose it’s always having to work hard all my life.

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Arymretep]

For me, it's that balance of "not knowing" in bed of if I "need" the extra time, (my anxious mind is good at clouding things) cuz if I get up too early, my body sure let's me know about it. (cuz really you don't really know until you're been up for a short while)

VS - Getting up too late, and thinking that I would have been fine all along, and wasted time.

.

I "try" to stick to a schedule, but sometimes that's hard with my GAD.

[Roxylox in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Ah, you probably needed it

[Hidden in reply to AnxiousSilver]

hi me too i only get up for my mam n cat she stays in bed until about mid day watching tv, she said i make her lazy i say sit in the chair in sun, in bedroom, sun light so important have a good sleep 🤗😺my cat gets me up goes out then back to bed 🙄

,

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Hidden]

PIxie's okay with a good lie-in. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Nothing_but_books]

hi yes he is been asleep after his tea the stollen pork joint off his nanna 🐯but hes awake now carrying on this was him earlier when i was on here,and reading book he was v patient so no nips 😺but i know how far to push him, he was looking daggers this morning when i was on here 🙄sleep well i am bed about one hour after my tv 😊🌝xx

🙄

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Hidden]

Pixie shares tea? 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Nothing_but_books]

mam took the joint out freezer forgot and he stole it it was on floor next morning nibbled so he has had it, bit left for tomorro how are you

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Hidden]

"Nibbled." Cats are delicate, and take just what they want. Dogs, on the other hand... My dog got in the fridge once, pulled out everything he could get at, and gulp, down the hatch. When I got home, the "used" food -- from both ends -- was all over the house. 😱

Not too bad thanks. A little achy after a bad night. Have you been swimming yet?

[Agora1]

Unfortunately Roxylox, lying on the couch or lying in bed only perpetuates

lying around. Upon awakening, it's best to start your day w/o your phone and

without self doubts. Taking your bath/shower after breakfast *yes having some

food..will get you started. Put your face on, comb your hair and dress for the day.

Look in the mirror and know that you are ready for anything that comes your

way. It's a new habit you may want to start in changing things.

Be it life itself, medical issues or situations around you, once you are dressed, the

positive part of your brain takes over. You will feel more ready to take on the world.

One day at a time and you won't be so overwhelmed. xx

[Roxylox in reply to Agora1]

Oh l get dressed getting up every day. Doesn't make much difference to me l'm afraid

[Agora1 in reply to Roxylox]

Roxylox, I'm dressed and have my earrings on to boot. All dressed

and no where to go but it just feels that I'm more in control. xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

hello agora i put my make up on and dont always go out 😂dont want a fright when look in mirror xx

[Roxylox in reply to Agora1]

I'm glad it works for you

[Agora1]

xx

[Marysblue]

I have heard it said if you wait till you feel like it you never will . It takes awhile to make good habits. I go walk everyday it's such a habit I just feel weird if I don't. It was a struggle at first , (bad arthritis, chronic pain, depression)but now I just put my tennis shoes on, don't even think about it.And it's helped all my health problems. Start out slow with whatever you do, and praise yourself alot.

[Roxylox]

I do manage to get a brief walk in most days, but am often back on the couch after

[Starrlight]

l say have compassion for yourself. You aren’t doing anything wrong. Maybe you need extra rest right now?

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

💜🦜

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Hi you! ☺️

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

Hey back atcha!

Beautiful response to Roxylox. It touched me.

[Roxylox in reply to Starrlight]

My husband does say l'm too hard on myself. The thing is all that time on the couch doesn't make me feel good.

[Starrlight in reply to Roxylox]

I so get that. It’s hard but try self - compassion because you deserve all good things and since you want to be more active you could do a small task one day then the next try a bigger task or two tasks and so on.

I hope you are feeling ok. Im rooting for the best for you.

I went out today into nature and it had been almost two months since I felt able to go to a park but I finally did it and I feel great for it.

[Roxylox in reply to Starrlight]

Thsnks Starr. I have a task lined up gor tomorrow. Good for you for getting out.

[Starrlight in reply to Roxylox]

Awesome Roxy! Best to you! Thank you it was a great time.

[optimismrus]

Covid trained us to be couch potatoes for a couple of years. I beat myself up too because I watch TV all the time. I grew up in a house where the TV was on 24/7. You didn't mention TV while you were on the couch, so I apologize if this doesn't apply to you. Like someone else said, I have to force myself to go out. But I'm also trying to let myself off the "guilt hook" because it's such a "mind f--k". We can change our thinking but it takes practice. When I have a thought that I don't want, I say to myself "cancel that" and move on with a thought that's more constructive. You're strong and you've got this! because you reached out. Good job. 🥰

[Roxylox in reply to optimismrus]

Thanks optimismrus While on the couch l listen to the radio or podcasts

[Cooking_nut]

Roxylox,

I really know what it’s like to spend time on the couch. Be kind to yourself though. Didn’t you write that you were recently diagnosed with cancer? That will take the wind out of your sails for sure.

I agree with others that having a routine helps. Start my morning with a hot bath and try to release my stress while I am in the tub. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t but at least I am clean and ready to start the day.

When I do find myself on the couch I give myself a time limit before I have to do something, start laundry, get the mail, make a phone call. Then I try to follow-up with the task.

Baby steps.

[Roxylox in reply to Cooking_nut]

Baby steps is a good idea. I seem to resent doing things. I shouldn't be like that. I can't help feeling guilty.

[Yogasan7676]

Wish I could! Same myself ! I've been prescribed clonozepam ! But still to get it !!?

[Starrlight]

I agree and my heart goes out to her ❤️

[Roxylox]

Thanks catgirls. Yes it was a total shock. No treatment plan yet. I live in fear of what's to come. I am trying to be positive,but its hard. I worry about my children. Youngest has just started college.Middle boy in final year. Eldest girl working.I worry about my husband too.Sorry for laying all this on you. I hope you are doing well

[DepechM]

It happens. There are times I can’t get out of bed. Just remember tomorrow is a new day, to start all over. Get up make some tea. You can do it!

[Roxylox in reply to DepechM]

Thanks Depech