Hi all I'm getting quite bored with just watching the TV.
Has anyone have any ideas of hobbies that are fatigue and brain fog friendly.
Feeling rather bored 😴
Any Suggestions? : Hi all I'm getting... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
Any Suggestions?
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Fibrofog
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Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff
What sort of things do you enjoy. I mainly craft - mostly crochet, but do other stuff from time to time. I also enjoy colouring in (both with pens and using an app on my phone). Reading/audio books /podcasts? Gardening?
Sadly no garden I live in a ground floor flat. I do like colouring in, but can only do it for a short amount of times or not at all, as I suffer badly with my head xx
Maybe some indoor plants - or window boxes? I tend to craft for short periods of time, rest, then do a bit more
Hi, all I suffered very badly with my pain, can’t do activities just play on phone , watch TV and some time if strong enough cook food with some help. Hope we all get back our normal life. So we can enjoy our at least normal life.
Hi there's only so much TV you can watch eh ? There are quite a few crafts and hobbies you can do that won't affect your fibro as you can do most of them sat down there's diamond painting that's really easy and you just put it down when you've had enough and you can see where you've been so no need to worry about trying to remember where you got to as you can see when you look at it so that 1 but it depends what your into really I mean there's so many to choose from there's sewing,needlestitch, painting,drawing ,card making I could go on and on but with out knowing what your really intrested in I carnt really help much but know your not alone in the fight against this horrible disease and there's always someone willing to talk to you and guide you to the right path on here so if you need any more help or just want a chat let me know but literally the sky's the limit with crafts and hobbies I hope this helps xx
My other problem is I have complex intracranial hypertension so I get a lot of headaches.
But can I ask what is diamond painting? As I've never heard of it.
Oh and thank you for replying I live on my own so I do get lonely. Xx
Hi its a kit you buy very inexpensive and it's a picture that you have to put the coloured diamonds on the corresponding coloured square as each square as a number and the diamond that goes there as the same number it's very therapeutic I will find you a link to watch some1 on YouTube demonstrating it as I always find its easier to understand and learn from watching then I do from trying to have it explained but if you can wait for delivery I get mine from aliexpress they are so cheap on there website if not I'm sure you can get them on ebay or amazon and even the works and hobbycraft and the range sell them so I will be back with another message and link for you in a minute
This is the 1 I watched when I was thinking of starting it youtu.be/AaAfXflhRoII hope it helps stay strong and pm me anytime if you want to talk xxx
Ooh, this looks great! I think I’ll look at getting one, too 💙
I have adult colouring books which I see you have problems with. I also play video games, the slower ones like the turn-based RPG's where you can put the controller down for an hour and the game just sits there until you feel like picking it up again. I love audiobooks, and listen to them while I am doing other things, I also have a YouTube channel which helps me stay engaged with life.
Take it back in time and do some puzzles! Great fun and can take your time xxx
Have you tried diamond painting? Some say it relaxes them, audio books is another , drawing, adult paint by numbers . Hope you feel better soon, I find boredom a real.issue
I've always struggled a bit with boredom, but now it's everyday!
I am the same, maybe its sign do try something more challenging?
My head couldn't cope to be honest with something more challenging! 😜😜
I can also relate to that 😊😊
I do puzzles in books.All sorts of different ones including suduko.Helps brain.If I really can’t think of answer I leave it or cheat😜It does help if able to do gentle exercises…music helps.Me I just can’t sit for long as it’s too painful
Are you mobile at all or bed bound? when I say mobile I don't mean able to run a marathon, I mean, in your own time drive down to your local park and just spend 10 or 20 minutes just watching the world go by.
Or if you have a small back garden just put out a chair and make a cup of tea, and just "look"
A small bird table and a cheeep, OK cheap, sorry could not resist, packet of bird seed and watch what comes down. I had a squirrel so put red monkey nuts down and in the end actually could be fed by hand. Which taught the kids that in looking out the kitchen window grand dad had squirrels all round.
They seem to be watching and as soon as I went out the front they were already jumping off the trees opposite into my front garden. The best was when she bought her little one over and they joined the feed at morning and night. They said I was NUTS sitting in the snow, but the amount of birds and Squirrels I saw was fantastic. SORRY, it was a lot of fun, and didn't cost the earth. My daughter has two starlings that enjoy the barby and a plate of seed will bring them down and they don't touch anything on the table except there bowl, and are quite happy at the edge of the table chow down the fly off and the other one comes. TRY THAT and let me know how you get on. ps. if you join Free cycle in your are put an advert for a bird table or bird bath and its free to collector get some one to pick it up for you?
I don't know if I am allowed to advertise other sites but that site is for recycling rather than throwing it away, it gives it a second lease of life.
May be I should ask admin if they could put a section for this sort of thing here? You could post in an Area near you, I had a mobility scooter from a fellow free cycler and gave it to the person up the road from me to keep him mobile. At no cost to any one.
Sadly I don't have my own garden. Would love one though, just a small one would do me fine.
Just get your self out and go even for a small walk. any family close?
Have you tried jig saws?
Yes and I do enjoy doing them. But I have a cat? Lol 😆
How does that affect you doing jig saws? 🐱
Because my cat wants to play with the pieces and get in the box! Lol 😆
Yes cat's can be great fun, can't they, little rascals lol 😂😂🐱
Oh yes! 😂😂
Hi, last night I just started my first ever crystal art work. It only cost me £4.99 and before I realised 3 hours had passed it was so absorbing.
Also got a cheap picture to colour that came with pens and already framed if I want to hang it when done.
I also replenished my adult colouring books ready for the winter months.
Yes I had a great time browsing the craft section yesterday lol
Momo
PS just remebered if you enjoy crosswords got hubby one of the puzzle books and word search to do.
I have recently taken up sewing and cross stitch, love all the crafty ideas everyone has suggested. It great when you get a reward when you have finished. Also once you find a comfy position where you can prop the book up reading is a good time passer x
I craft, using wool, paper, card. Using pens, paint etc. I also repaire items. Clay crafts, screen print, lino print, collage there's so much that can be done. After school/college classes, would alow you access to more craft activities or other activities.
You can do music, learning an instrument. It just depends what actually interests you.
TV wise, there's absolutely loads to watch. Maybe you need more information programmes to keep you engaged? Animals, crime or sciences type programmes.
If you like sports but are unable to do any, watching live games of various sports is a possibility. Plus others also watch games, so you may be able to get friendly with others watching?
But I do have to manage what I do with the pain.
I'm on my own alot too. So I totally get your loneliness. Joing clubs doing various activities can help this. Just depends on what's on offer in your local area.
I work a lot of hours but when I get time to relax I love colouring and jigsaws. I want to learn how to crochet xx
Hi, I see there are lots of suggestions for you here. I started researching my family tree on my computer during the first lockdown, I find that I get so absorbed in it that hours pass without me realising. I also have Sudoku, Quizzes and Logic puzzles on my phone, they all help to pass the time. I see you haven't a garden, so perhaps you may be able to go and sit in a local park and watch the wildlife, I love watching the different birds, butterflies and bees in my garden, I have a low hedge of lavender and at the moment it is a real 'hive' of industry, with butterflies and bees. Hope you manage to find something to help you pass the time. 😀
Thank you all for your suggestions it's been a lot of help.This really is such a lovely group xx
I have a free jigsaw on my ipad everyday.
You could do jigsaw puzzles or crosswords on line or the real thing. You can buy crossword books and jigsaws on line too.
I'm assuming you are on a computer Fg, and not limited to a phone, because I could suggest looking at drone flights on youtube or other videos. You can travel all over with those and it is really enriching. I've been to loads of wild places in the UK, the lowest place on the earth's surface and also the deepest mine in South Africa and all from my relaxer chair. I would never do it for real!!! You can look at exotic places the world over, or beach webcams can be ok for few minutes, and you don't have to do the travel or pay for it. You could even plan a virtual World Tour. Real travel is awful now even if you haven't got fibro. - I was going to suggest birdwatching but I saw in your reply to onebigvoice that you are in a ground floor flat with no garden. Maybe though, there is someone near you who is also alone and has a garden with birds and would like company sometimes. (Lockdown has a lot to answer for!) - Perhaps your doctor's office could put you in touch with Occupational therapy to come out and visit (eventually) and maybe suggest something brilliant ... or/Perhaps/possibly there is neighbourhood elderly pet sitting (with attached garden)? - Failing that start writing a journal of your thoughts, or perhaps your life story so far, or verse? Starting with the silliest limerick you can make up and post it on here or if you can get out at all, join a writing class or art class. - It's so difficult with fog and flares, but the right people can be quite understanding about missing a class if you are not feeling up to it. I hope something turns up for you. Ask out like you have here. May something wonderful happen for you. 🐱
Not surprising with Woman's Football and Commonwealth Games to entertain you, I would suggest if possible some fresh air, anything to get away from the hateful black box ?🙄😵🤭😉
Hi FibrofogI have taken up knitting recently as my friend is about to become a grandmother. It’s years since I did any knitting but find it relaxing and gives a sense of achievement when I’ve been feeling useless due to fibromyalgia. You can pick it up and do a few rows at your own pace. Love and hugs
As a chronic migraine sufferer I can understand that certain hobbies can be more difficult but aren't impossible if you pace doing them just like you pace physical activity.
Watching less TV and using computers or your phone less and only for hour , or at most length of a film , at a time will really reduce the headache and brain fog.
Using screens makes you blink less making eyes dry and sore, and light sensitivity and screen flickering increases negative brain rhythm so it actually increases the headaches and Fatigue.
Colouring in is good , but do it at half an hour at a time and try pictures with bigger patterns. Make sure you have adequate light and even lay on the bed to do drawing or art activities to keep your head and shoulders supported and relaxed. Think Frida Kahlo!
Improvised Painting , Drawing and mark making on plain cream paper can be easier and more satisfying. You just paint or draw in shapes , swirls , doodles and colours that make you feel positive. It doesn't have to look like anything or be a masterpiece it's the creative process and enjoyment that is important.
Knitting , crochet , model making , bread making sitting at a table , pottery making or painting, jewellery making , needle felting kits , weaving or mixed material fibre art , fine art and object photography are all great crafts that have projects that can be done sitting down and can be picked up and down when you want. All of these activities done in little bursts actually help build back muscle and joint strength in your hands and wrists from the isometric exercise they give you as an added bonus.
Limit the amount of time you do an activity all at once to half an hour and it will reduce head pain from concentration . Many people get put off crafts because they start a new skill then find their hands and fingers ache. This is usually , just like when you start to exercise , that they have done too much for too long and therefore overworked muscles and joints that they weren't using before.
Often , I will ask someone how long they did a new craft and they will say three or four hours , no wonder their hands hurt, crochet is an extreme sport for the fingers!!
Play relaxing music instead of having the TV on in the background. Listen to an audio book whilst doing relaxing exercises or deep breathing on your bed with your eyes closed so that you paint the picture of what you are hearing in your mind instead of watching it on a screen.
You can have various crafts going at once and pick and choose between each through the day to limit repetitive movements that might add to joint ache or nerve tingling.
And , if you have time on your hands , and Fatigue and Pain , learning and building up relaxation techniques , meditation and mindfulness exercises and starting to do little five minute episodes of gentle stretching , isometric and strengthening exercises will start to improve your Fatigue , Pain and headaches.
With activity onset head pain , keeping hydrated and doing exercises that don't involve too much movement from one position to another ( sit to stand , lie down to sit ) is important to reduce reactive , sudden onset head pain.
If you take medication to reduce cranial hypertension or migraine do activities that require more concentration or eye strength half an hour after your dose when your symptoms are under the most control , and stop any activity , mental or physical , about an hour before you need the next dose when your medication effect is at its lowest.
Keep social in an old skool way . Ring a friend or old family member , or a child or grandchild, for a quick chat instead of texting.
Or have a coffee and chat over zoom. Even join some online zoom based social or health support groups so you feel like you are getting out in the world.
Strolling around the house , tai chi or qui gong warm ups which can be followed on You Tube on a smart TV. Pilates warm up stretches , isometric and somatic relaxing joint rotations , doing only a couple of repetitions at first at a time and stopped when you feel you have done what you can cope with will help beat the boredom and the Fatigue. These low level activities repeated for a just a couple of minutes through the day will start to help you beat the Fatigue , get stronger and finally you will feel less pain and will be able to build up how much physical activity that you can do.
Gardening in window boxes can be done in little bursts at a table , or on a stool near the window, and the boxes can sit on window ledges in all of your rooms. Grow herbs and salad leaves, pea shoots, in the kitchen , bonus is you can eat them.
Try easy to manage bright coloured or aromatherapy plants like lavender , geraniums , thyme , camomile in bedroom or living room boxes which will also fill the room with lovely smells and help you to relax. You can also use these in the bath or try the craft of making your own shower gel or creams with them.
I hope these ideas help to keep you busy and boredom free , Bee
Wow thanks there's a lot of ideas to try xx
I make jewelley and do needle work with a difference. It’s just a long stitch embroidered picture. I draw it out and then fill in between the lines
Yes I've recently took up painting stones, it's creative and quite fun without being tiring...
Stone decoration..
Love it but I am no artist x
Me neither to be honest, a toddler can draw better than me! Lol 😂
You don't really need to be an artist just do stripes of different colours or a daisy, or even some writing....
Painted stone
I use AudioBooks every day. You can lay down with your eyes closed & relax. No tv or screen glare to aggravate brain fog or headaches . LibriVox do a free app version you could try to start with.
I now have an Amazon audible account £7.99 per month, but so worth it.
I also use meditation app HEADSPACE which relaxes my muscles body & mind & really helps me cope.
If I do feel up to screen time I watch YOUTUBE VAN LIFE “Lost in Transit” where Izzy&Tom travel the world in their camper van. I love seeing the great outdoors through their eyes, it helps me “get out of the house “ virtually.
I’m mostly bedroom bound and haven’t the possibility of crafts as I get so much fibro burning pain in my arms.
I do hope you discover some new way to combat the boredom through everyone’s suggestions.
Another app I use is Duolingo - free - you can pick it up for 2 minutes & then put it down, so no pressure to overdo it and increase headaches etc .
Best of luck Jackie
Hi Fibrofog ,Let's make a list 
1. TV - series, movies, documentary, etc - just change
2. You Tube videos - addicted to roofing atm 
3. Reading - mainly e-books, the real books are too heavy
4. Podcasts
5. Audiobooks when with headache.
6. Painting - as my fingers are too stiff can't draw but watercolour and acrylic is fine
7. Learn something new - there are lots of free online courses
8. Cooking - I am a very good cook but can't use knifes, so sitting and supervising
9. Gardening - even if some small inside plants.
10. Annoying my kids - it is fun
And many more - above are the ones that work for me.
Just don't give up and stay strong
Audio books are best thing for me. I use local library online membership which gives free access to Borrowbox so I have on Kindle and phone. I can rewind easily if I get distracted. Also if buying on Amazon you do not have to take out audible membership you can buy an e-book from a selection with whyspersync.
It was suggested that I did colouring in by numbers . It is very good for anxiety too. Art works have reasonable colouring by number books and pencils too .I have found it to be quite soothing. hope you find something to suit .
I paint and draw my daughter likes to do Diamond painting the kits are really cheap on eBay etc and there are loads to choose from x
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