What to do when your brain hurts?

[VM2020]

Like many of you I have been advised to 'rest my brain.' No screens (like I am using now), no computer/internet/TV, no driving, busy places make me worse. I tried a podcast but it was a bit much. So what does one do?? I am soooo bored. Any ideas from this experienced group?

[menchild]

My brain still hurts 6 months post BM but not all the time and not as severe as in the early recovery period. No one told me what I can and cannot do. I worked out that I couldn't spend too much time on internet as I soon found out that internet was the worst thing. So cut that down to essentials like coming on this support group and checking emails etc. TV I could do as long as what I was watching didn't require too much concentration or was too graphic and stressed me in anyway (murder movies etc. ). In fact TV was about the only thing I could do for quite a while - watching shows and movies that were simply entertainment and didn't require too much brain processing. I drove after a few weeks but only very locally - Dr and local shops etc. I still can't travel well more than 40 min drive is too much. I napped a lot in the beginning or lay on the bed daydreaming and that was great to rest my brain. I could not do anything that required a lot of concentration - like learning how to use my new thermomix. It hurt my brain. At one point I thought my TV was broken but it was the double adapter. I began to have a meltdown at the thought of having to learn how to use a new TV! Some days my brain doesn't hurt, some days it hurts a lot, some days it hurts a little. Today it hurts a little bit. Today I can't do much. Today I just went shopping for groceries, came home and made a nice salad for lunch and sat down watched a netflix movie that was pleasant. All the while my brain has hurt a little so after lunch/movie I had a 1/2 hour nap and now typing this to you. That will be it, will get off computer and go watch another movie till it's time to cook dinner. I still have to care for myself as I live alone and that occupies time. Recently I began doing some hand stitch work and I found that really helped pass the time and I enjoyed it. But on brain pain days like today I don't want to do that. I have just come to accept some days are good, some not so good and it will take time to heal. I have had my blood tested for vitamins and iron issues. I am deficient in iron (the meningitis sucked the life out of my iron levels) so will begin taking a supplement for that. My Vit A and D levels were a little low as well. Iron deficiency makes one tired and can cause headaches. So hoping once I get my levels up it might help. The body has taken a severe battering with this disease. Sending you a hug and hope you find a way to deal with the boredom. It gets better, slowly. My mistake is the minute I feel better I do too much and go backwards. Now learning to pace myself!

[morethanks]

What I found helpful was lying down (with the room semi-dark during the time my eyes were sensitive to light), sometimes listening to

relaxing music on a CD of nature sounds, sometimes just picturing myself relaxed on a beach or floating on an air mattress in a pool. When I felt able to, I listened to recordings of inspirational scriptures read to a background of calm music.

My heart goes out to you, it an be boring indeed to give your brain rest but better days are coming! Sending love and prayers,

Morethanks