Being put on bed rest can be a challenging situation. While it is important to follow your doctor’s orders and get the rest your body needs, bed rest can also get boring fast. Finding activities to keep your mind engaged and spirits up is key to making the most of this time. In this article, we will explore some ideas to help you discover fun things to do during bed rest.
Why is bed rest prescribed?
Doctors typically prescribe bed rest for a variety of medical reasons:
- To promote healing after surgery or childbirth
- To help prevent complications of pregnancy such as preterm labor
- To relieve symptoms of certain cardiovascular conditions
- To recover from injury, illness, or fatigue
While it may seem like an inconvenience, bed rest serves an important medical purpose. It allows your body to direct more energy towards recovery. Taking it easy for a period of time can aid the healing process.
Create a cozy nest
If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in bed, make sure it is as comfortable as possible. Invest in some extra pillows to prop yourself up. Get soft sheets, blankets, and loungewear. Setting up your sleeping area to be extra cozy can make a big difference in how bed rest feels.
Some other ideas for creating a restful nest:
- Have books, magazines, remotes, and other items within arm’s reach so you don’t have to constantly get up
- Use a bed tray table for meals, crafts, or laptop work
- Keep flowers, photos, or other decorative items near the bed to brighten your view
- Diffuse calming essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus
- Hang up string lights or fairy lights to create a relaxing atmosphere
Having a well-stocked oasis will make bed rest less dreary.
Schedule visits and activities
While rest and relaxation are important, too much isolation can be mentally taxing. Try to schedule short visits from family and friends to break up the day. Just a brief chat or sharing a cup of tea can lift your spirits.
You can also plan activities together to make time pass quickly:
- Ask friends to bring craft supplies for an afternoon of DIY projects
- Host an movie marathon or TV binge session
- Enjoy a virtual game night or book club meeting over video chat
- Have someone give you a hand massage or foot rub
- Ask visitors to tell you funny stories or reminisce over photo albums
Keeping your calendar filled will prevent boredom and loneliness. Just be sure not to overdo it – don’t schedule so many activities that you become exhausted.
Take up a new hobby
Being stuck in bed for extended periods of time gives you the perfect opportunity to take up a portable hobby. Look for activities that ignite your creativity and can be easily done from the comfort of bed.
Some hobby ideas to try on bedrest:
- Reading: Get lost in a stack of books without feeling guilty. Read bestsellers, classics, memoirs, or whatever genre you enjoy.
- Writing: Channel your experiences into starting a journal, diving into fiction, or penning letters to friends.
- Knitting/Crocheting: This craft only requires some yarn and needles. Create scarves, hats, blankets, etc.
- Drawing: Sketch what you see around you. Doodle in an adult coloring book for relaxation.
- Playing an instrument: Strumming a guitar or ukulele is perfect for passing time. Learn to play that harmonica you’ve had for years.
- Learning a language: Use language-learning apps to expand your skills. Repeat phrases aloud and write vocabulary lists.
Finding an engrossing hobby can make bed rest fly by productively. Get creative and try something new!
Catch up on entertainment
Bed rest presents the ideal chance to finally get around to those books, movies, games, and shows you’ve been meaning to check out. Make a list of all the entertainment options you’ve been wanting to enjoy and start working your way through them.
Movies and TV
Binge watch a buzzy new series on Netflix or Hulu. Host a film festival of all your untouched DVDs. Catch up on classic movies and shows you’ve heard so much about but never took the time to watch.
Video games
Level up your gaming skills whether you like action RPGs, puzzle games, sports simulators, or retro arcade titles. Gaming engages your brain and helps pass the time quickly. Upgrade to a gaming laptop or console if needed.
Books
Fill your e-reader or shelves with page-turners across all genres: chick lit, sci fi, true crime, historical fiction, memoirs, and more. Reading transports you even when you can’t leave the bed.
Podcasts and audiobooks
If reading print books causes strain, switch to audiobooks to get your literary fix. Podcasts are also great for entertainment – find shows about your hobbies, true crime cases, celebrity interviews or whatever piques your interest.
Catching up on your watchlist and playlists is a perfect way to escape boredom during bed rest. Entertainment options are endless, so take your pick!
Take virtual trips
Wanderlust getting you down? Satisfy your travel bug from the comfort of bed with virtual experiences. Here are some ideas:
- Take a free virtual tour of a museum or famous landmark via their website
- Watch travel vlogs on YouTube to explore new destinations
- Download a meditation app with nature soundscapes from around the world
- Look up recipes for global cuisines and cook along on video chat with a friend
- Research your dream trips for future travels and make reservations
- Learn a new language to prepare yourself for upcoming adventures
Imagining future travels or virtually visiting far off places can ease feelings of restlessness. It allows you to journey even while staying put.
Try meditation and mindfulness
Being stuck in bed with limited mobility provides the perfect chance to quiet your mind and work on increasing mindfulness. There are many meditation techniques and practices to explore:
- Focus on your breathing – inhale and exhale slowly
- Visualize peaceful settings like a beach, forest, or sunny meadow
- Listen to soothing music or sounds from nature
- Consciously relax each part of your body from head to toe
- Chant mantras or repeat affirmations
- Gently stretch within your limits to increase body awareness
Even 10-15 minutes per day can boost your mental clarity and reduce restlessness. Use this time for spiritual reflection and self-care.
Connect with loved ones
While you may be physically confined, technology allows you to digitally spend time with loved ones. Have video chats with friends and family who live far away. Share photos and updates on social media. Send old-fashioned letters or care packages in the mail. Heartfelt snail mail can brighten someone’s day.
It’s also nice to feel loved and cared for during recovery. Here are some other ideas for connecting with your support system:
- Ask loved ones to record uplifting voice messages you can replay
- Make video calls during meal times to dine together remotely
- Request your favorite home-cooked dishes to be delivered
- Share funny memes and videos to make each other laugh
- Schedule regular check-in calls
- Ask friends to update you on their lives via email
Staying in touch will ease loneliness – and remind you that you are loved!
Keep a sense of humor
Having the right attitude can make a big difference during confinement. Try to keep your sense of humor even in this tedious situation. When you’re tempted to feel grumpy, flip your perspective instead. Here are some tips:
- Watch funny movies, sitcoms, YouTube videos, etc to get your laughter fix
- Share amusing observations and memes on social media
- Joke about your struggles instead of complaining
- Smile and laugh more, even if you have to “fake it til you make it”
- Spend time chatting with friends who are always cheerful
- Daydream about happy memories rather than focusing on boredom
Laughter truly is great medicine – it can greatly boost your recovery. Don’t lose your ability to find joy, even during confinement.
Conclusion
Being placed on bed rest can try your patience. Luckily, there are many activities, hobbies, and pastimes that can help you stay entertained and upbeat. Personalize your space, socialize remotely, try new crafts, catch up on media, meditate, and keep smiling. With the right approach, you can make the most out of this time of mandated rest. Focus on healing – both mentally and physically – so you can return to your regular routines feeling renewed.