No matter how much I improve I will always have days where I can’t leave the house; sometimes not even leave my bed. I’ve accepted that probably won’t change any time soon. I am just grateful that I can go out more than I used to and that I can drive myself.
However, it is very easy for me to slip into a state of depression if I am in the house for a few days at a time and don’t make the active effort to occupy myself.
So here are some things that help me:
- My cat, Ollivander. Having the company of a four-legged friend always makes being stuck at home way more pleasant. Ollie is an expert snuggler and is very devoted to me. I am so happy that I adopted him back in 2013. When I am at home he rarely leaves my side.
- Comfy bedding! I burrow under blankets when I am feeling worn out. My fleece blanket that I made myself and my Sunbeam electric blanket are my favorites. I use my electric blanket as a whole body heat pack when my joints are bothering me. I also recommend a memory foam mattress topper if your joints need some extra cushioning.
- Crafting supplies. If I am really in bad shape I won’t even have the energy for crafting, but most of the time I can manage it. Making things with my hands has always been something that helps preserve my sanity when I am stuck at home. Back when I first got really sick ten years ago was when I vastly improved my knitting skills. Recently, I have been teaching myself to use a sewing machine.
- Internet access. Even when you are stuck in bed, if you have a wi-fi connection you can be all over the world. I am on my computer quite a lot. I prop myself up on pillows, place my laptop on my little lap desk, and then I can get all sorts of stuff done from the comfort of my bed. I use the computer application F.lux to tint the color of my computer screen. My eyes are very sensitive to certain kinds of light, so being able to tint the screen an amber color is very helpful in preventing migraines. I have to have the brightness on my screen turned all the way down AND have F.lux running in order to be able to look at the screen.
- Video Streaming Subscriptions [i.e. Hulu, Netflix, PBS] I haven’t had cable TV in my house in years, and I am totally fine with that. I have access to several different streaming sites and therefore enough shows and movies to keep me entertained indefinitely.
- Switching up locations in the house. Sometimes all I need to improve my mood when stuck at home is a little change of scenery. If I have been in my room for too long I go downstairs to hang out in the living room for a bit. I usually use a big canvas tote bag to carry whatever I might need down from my room with me so I don’t have to take multiple trips. Stairs are my sworn enemy so I try to avoid going up and down them more than absolutely necessary.
- Books. I do not always have the mental energy and focus required to read books for hours on end like I used to. Over the past couple months I have been getting back to reading books again, even if it isn’t at the same ridiculously fast pace as before all this. I have a rather large collection, so I always have something to read should I feel like it.
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