48 Ways to Stay Busy on Days Illness Keeps You Stuck in Bed
Every one of us has had really bad, symptomatic days where even getting out of bed can be a challenge. There are also the surgeries that always take extra time to heal from because our body does not want to play nice. Being stuck in bed can be boring, lonely and isolating.
However, many of us living with dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), Chiari malformation, mast cell activation disorder (MCAD), gastroparesis and all of those other comorbidities along for the ride have become very adept at making those days easier. Our Dysautonomia Support Network (DSN) members really outdid themselves with this list! It has a ton of great ideas to keep your hands and mind occupied as you recuperate. There are a few overlapping activities we all seem to enjoy – Netflix, Facebook, reading or arts and crafts – but this list is bound to have something on it new for you to try the next time you are stuck in bed.
- “Listening to audio books.” – Stephanie H.
- “Coloring!” – Allison R.
- “Binge watching TV shows on Netflix!” – Kimberly H.
- “Reading and YouTube.” – Scott T.
- “Adult coloring books, puzzles, books, no sew blankets and painting. Those are just a few of my favorite on hand for times like those and for the just blah days.” – Lorra B.
- “Word games – electronic, on paper, out loud, and in books.” – Sarah W.
- “Knitting, Netflix, Facebook.” – Allison K.
- “The internet, reading stories, etc. Coloring. Listening to music.” – Britt M.
- “Netflix, Facebook, Minecraft.” – Mariah M.
- “Meditation, Netflix, reading, Words With Friends, oil diffusing.” – Kelly M.
- “A fish tank by the bed can be a welcome relaxation inducer that I highly recommend. Even a 2-5 gallon beta tank can be amazing to watch.” – Jamie P.
- “Binge watch Netflix. Do word puzzles, arts and crafts, and study.” – Jennifer G.
- “Podcasts, adventure games on my iPad.” – Jacque S.
- “I’m puzzling my way through the seasons.” – Melissa B.
- “Video games and YouTube.” – Molly M.
- “I watch ASMR videos on Instagram and YouTube, especially when I have a migraine.” – Michele D.
- “Audiobooks, podcasts, and guided meditation. Basically any audio based stuff. When I’ve been bedridden, I usually don’t have energy to write or watch stuff.” – Christine T.
- “Bullet journal (also practical and tracking pain/symptoms), knitting, crochet, PlayStation/Xbox, board games (if you’re not alone), learning new language/skill.” – Tessan B.
- “Laptop/tablet, coloring by numbers, magazines and a remote.” – Missy S.
- “Coloring, naps, movies, crochet, crosswords.” – Jennifer W.
- “Reading, crochet, Facebook, games on phone, binge watching TV, Netflix, Hulu, or CBS.” – Heather C.
- “Puzzles (on a tray table).” – Jessica M.
- “Meditation apps.” – Jessica K.
- “Reading, writing, studying, drawing, painting, sewing, puzzles of any kind and of course movies.” – Renae H.
- “Mini manicures, sudoku, Netflix, podcasts.” – Emily R.
- “Netflix, Youtube, crosswords, beading, painting.” – Zoila M.
- “World of Warcraft or Sims 4 on my laptop.” – Caitlin P.S.
- “I actually could not concentrate long enough to watch a movie when I was recovering from major surgery so I watched a lot of TV sitcoms. I also read a lot on the internet, played crossword type games and Sudoku. I also spent a lot of time listening to music with headphones to distract me from the pain.” – Kelli C.
- “Volunteering with DSN of course!” – Melissa G.
- “I would binge watch cooking shows, like ‘Cutthroat Kitchen’ and ‘Chopped.’” – Kali N.
- “I used to play games and while away the time that way. Now I do survey sites on my phone when I’m stuck in bed and earn a bit of money.” – Hannah G.
- “Binge watching ‘Game of Thrones.’” – Debbie E.
- “Sleep (if only!).” – Jamie S.
- “Sudoku. To see if my brain is still working in any way!” – Mary G.
- “I’m looking at free courses on Coursera lately. Some look really interesting!” – Beth M.
- “Crossword app, card pairs/memory app and an app to help keep your mental speed up!” – Benjamin C.
- “I paint when I’m stuck in bed.” – Missy M.
- “I listen to music and of course Facebook.” – Tiffany T.
- “I listen to music, color, and (obviously) write poetry.” – Hannah W.
- “Podcasts, audiobooks, reading (DSN Book Club).” – Alexandra R.
- “TV, Sudoku, logic puzzles, journaling, reading, FB, Instagram, writing, cat-petting, planning, writing cards or sending texts to friends, drawing.” – Rebecca W.
- “Sudoku, crossword puzzles, reading.” – Jocelyn D.
- “Karaoke.” – Michelle O.
- “Knitting, adult (or kid) coloring books, volunteering for DSN ???? and binge watching all kinds of different shows!” – Emi M.
- “I taught myself how to code when I couldn’t make it into work!” – Meena H.
- “Good movies, drawing… Facebooking.” – Liza S.
- “Volunteering with DSN! Also, Netflix, YouTube, coloring, and playing mobile games like Hay Day.” – Rachel M.
- “Reading.” – Debbie R.
What are some activities you would add to the list?
Getty Image by Mima88
DSN is a U.S. based, 501 (C) (3) non-profit, an organization providing support, resources, education and advocacy for patients affected by the many forms of Dysautonomia and related conditions such as Connective Tissue Disorders, Mast Cell Activation Disorders, Chiari Malformation, and Gastric Motility Disorders. We empower our members by supplying them the tools, support, education and resources they need to adapt to life with chronic illnesses while challenging themselves to set new goals despite their physical limitations. Toward this end, we provide scholarships for education, volunteer opportunities, advocacy training, service dog grants, educational programs, and other essential resources to enable our members to actualize their dreams. We are an volunteer organization, run by patients for patients. We offer support, training, awareness programs and socialization opportunities for individuals and families living with complex chronic illness globally. We educate the researchers, educators and healthcare providers as advocates in the community. We currently manage online support groups 24/7, 365 days a year. Our global network encompasses our online Global Communities on Facebook and Inspire; Regional FB Communities for four regions in the US; special interests groups for Caregivers, Military Families, and College students; and Lifestyle Clubs - which focus on our passions, hobbies, and overall wellness.
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