When you’re used to getting things done and being active, facing temporary illness or injury can be extremely upsetting. Although it’s tempting to tackle chores and do all the activities you love, it’s important to allow your body proper time to heal.
If you’re looking for ways to simplify your life and make your healing process a little easier to handle, this one’s for you!
Get Help With Your Routine Tasks
Things can quickly get stressful as your everyday chores and errands start piling up, so take advantage of special services instead of trying to do everything on your own. For example, you can shop for groceries online and have them delivered right to your door.
Nanny services can help you care for your kids and even drive them to and from music lessons, after-school soccer practices, or playdates. Also, consider hiring a housekeeper to keep your home tidy, take care of laundry, and maintain your yard.
Most homeowners spend about $100 to $200 for these house cleaning services, but costs can vary, and many cleaners offer discounts for recurring services; check out ImproveNet to find a reliable housekeeping service near you.
Set Boundaries With Friends & Family
Chances are, your friends and family will be stopping by to visit and calling to check up on you. Though they mean well, this can be very taxing on someone who is sick or injured. Sometimes, you’re just not up to entertain, so don’t feel guilty about setting some boundaries.
It’s okay to say “no visits” or “no calls” when you just need time to rest. Alternatively, Next Avenue recommends appointing a close friend or family member to field your calls, update people on your progress, and communicate your preferred visiting hours to everyone.
Pick Up A Sedentary Hobby
Whether you’re completely bedridden or simply unable to enjoy the physical activities that you love, try to find new hobbies to fill your time. According to CBHS, hobbies can improve your mental wellbeing, boost your mood, and give you a sense of purpose.
Some great sedentary hobbies to consider include learning an instrument, doing puzzles, and making art. If you can’t think of a hobby you’d like, try perusing online forums and community pages for unique ideas.
Learn How To Do Nothing
Learning how to do nothing is perhaps the most difficult part of recovering from an illness or injury. It’s important to remember that resting and allowing your body to heal is a form of productivity.
You’re not wasting time by resting. In fact, you’re helping your body heal faster so you can get back out there and enjoy your beloved activities sooner.
Slow down, swallow your pride, and accept people’s offers of assistance.
Once you acknowledge that you’re not wasting time but allowing your body to heal properly, you may find that boredom triggers creative ideas and sparks your interest in fun, new ways to spend your time.
Be Mindful Of Your Mental Health
Being immobilized can have a terrible impact on your mental health. If you’re not careful, depression or anxiety can creep up on you and become debilitating, zapping your motivation to heal while worsening pain and fatigue.
Find out what’s making you feel bad and do what you can to fix it. If you’re worried about gaining weight, try cutting out junk food and sticking to a healthy diet.
If you miss engaging in social activities, invite all of your friends over to play video games or have a movie marathon with you.
If you’re unable to exercise, find another outlet for stress, such as meditation, journaling, or talking to a therapist.
Your illness or injury may even allow you to learn some things about yourself, such as your ability to let go of your ego and allow others to care for you, or your ability to cope with frustration and pain.
Remember, this won’t last forever! Instead of focusing on how you feel right now, think about all the wonderful things you want to do when you’re better.
