Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 --- " randy " wrote: > > What do other people on this group do for fun with the pain and > mobility restrictions. Hi Randy - There are lots of things you can do that can take your mind off your pain and give you some escape, but you have to find something that really gives you joy. For me, reading is my #1 joy. I get books from the public library for free, or scour the book sales and clearance areas at used book stores for great finds. If you can't get to the library, then check out the electronic resources available through your public library for free. I read books online all the time - many new best-sellers! - for free from the library. I also enjoy listening to books on CD/tape from the library. You can even listen to books on CD on your computer if you don't have a CD player. No need to spend more money. To make reading more " social " I am working on putting together a reading group of friends to discuss books together. You say you've lost friends - well, this would be a great way of finding other people that you can get to know and having something to talk about besides pain. You can find people through church or through your local bookstore; or invite some of your old friends to join you - it might be a great way to reconnect. Your public library will also have organized reading groups that you could either join, or they can provide lists of folks you could invite into your own group. If you physically can't get out, then join a reading group online - Yahoogroups has several! If movies are more your style - again, the local public library will have a huge selection on DVD for absolutely free, and more available online. And you can put together watching/discussion parties for movies too, or find ones on the web. Another option for movies is Netflix or Blockbuster online. There is a cost, but it can be as little as $10 a month, and they ship the movies directly to you for free and you ship them back when you're done at no additional cost for shipping, so you don't even have to leave the house to get them. You can watch as many movies as you can get in the mail that way, and they're offering even more movies online as well, as part of the membership fee. If you have a pet, then try learning about training techniques online such as clicker training, where you can teach your pet all kinds of tricks and behaviors with positive reinforcement - even a cat or small bird can learn! You can sit on the couch and teach your pet a trick! I even know a friend who taught her goldfish to jump through a hoop. It's a great way to bond with your pet, energize your mind by learning something new yourself, and forget your pain for a while as you laugh and learn together. Pets do so much for those of us who can keep them. When I was most depressed, I got a fish tank. (You can find one for free on FreeCycle - there is probably a freecycle group in your town, and you find FreeCycle groups on . FreeCycle is a movement where people refuse to put unwanted items in the landfills, because someone else can have use for them. They post what they have to give away, and others post what they need, and they hook up through the FreeCycle group. No one is allowed to charge a single penny for anything on FreeCycle.) When I got my fishtank, I spent hours planning how to design the interior (found rocks to make homemade rock " castles " , found decorations/plants on sale or free on line), checked out books from the library to plan how many and what kinds of fish would live together, watched for sales at my local pet stores (5 fish for $1 is a great deal!) and just forgot about my pain and depression while I focused on the joy this new hobby was bringing me. It's so relaxing to sit and watch my fish, feed them, learn their personalities. It's a lot like meditation. You can paint, draw, sew, woodcarve, sculpt, take apart and rebuild broken computers, anything that you can physically do, even if for a few minutes at a time. I design (and sell) beaded jewelry for fun. Half the fun is finding the bargains on ebay etc for the materials, so that I can make great jewelry for a couple of bucks total. I give them as gifts and sell my extras to help pay for my materials. Just find what interests you! And then get online (Yahoogroups is a great place to start) and find other groups of people who love it too, and you've got an instantaneous group of friends with a built-in common interest to talk to whenever you want. Just because you've had to give up some hobbies and interests doesn't mean there are not others out there you can do that will bring you just as much joy. Explore a bit. It doesn't have to cost much if anything at all. Think about things that have always interested you but you never had time to learn about - then go to the library or get online and learn about them! That's the way you find your new passion. Cheryl in AZ Moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 > Cheryl wrote, > > Just because you've had to give up some hobbies and interests doesn't > mean there are not others out there you can do that will bring you > just as much joy. You about covered it all. I even joined Pogo games and I became addicted to Squelches and Scrabble but ended up being up all hours of the night. I think joining a pen pal group, My Soldier (a group where you adopt a military member) allows you to contribute and feel purposeful. When I got my pain under control, I began tutoring and advocating for a couple of my special education students I had taught. It allowed me to use my skills plus take time for my self. The families understand my disabilities and know I might call and say, having a pain week, won't be around. I just have to commit to not over extend myself. Hope that helps Bennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Bennie wrote: >I think joining a pen pal group, My Soldier (a group where you adopt a military member) allows you to contribute and feel purposeful. > What a terrific idea, Bennie!!! Just think how much joy we could bring to the world if we all did this - and it's absolutely free and anyone could do it, no matter how disabled! You'd have a friend for life, Randy, and one who wouldn't care about your disability. Focusing on others is the best treatment for pain in the universe. It's why I love this list so much - it takes me out of my own pain to help someone else. Cheryl in AZ Moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Another thing I did to keep my self busy besides belonging to online pain groups was to start my own chronic pain support group here in Buffalo,NY. It was quite an interesting venture to start up. First I did a lot of internet searching for info and talked to some people who ran various types of online and in person support groups. I decided to start one because I couldn't find one here that dealt with pain . There were RSD , RA , Fibro and all sorts of other support groups around town but none dealing with bad backs or just plain chronic pain. It took me quite a while before I found someone who would sponsor it and give me a place to hold the meetings but once that was solved. The group took off. Now , we meet twice a month and truthfully I get as much out of it as any of the members do. We meet once a month in the afternoon and once in the evenings. That way people can find a time that works for them to come , some can make both but others have commitments that prohibit afternoons or evenings. Even if you don't want to start one , try to find one to hook up with around you, you will be able to meet new people who you have something in common right off the bat. If you or anyone lese wants any info on starting a local pain support group just drop me a line off group and I'll supply you with the info I found. Good luck in finding something that helps you spend your time and hopefully you will find something that makes your life fun again. Jim " much to my embarrassment I was born in bed with a lady. " .. .. ... .... Mizner .... ... .. . check the latest out at : http://www.gargoylesdomain.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 --- J L Misener wrote: > > Another thing I did to keep my self busy besides belonging to online pain groups was to start my own chronic pain support group here in Buffalo,NY. Good for you, Jim! That is really admirable. It probably feels great to know that you're helping other people while you're helping yourself! You should be very proud of this accomplishment. Cheryl in AZ Moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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