Fun ways to spend a good day

Kristy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:18:27 +0000

Be creative – Spend some time on a creative endeavour; music, art, scrapbooking, something that makes you feel happy.
Get outside – It can be hard to get outdoors when you feel sick, so take the chance while you feel well to get outdoors, even if it’s sitting with a book in the sun. Don’t forget to use sun protection if you are going to be outside for a while.
Catch up on housework – Ok, not a fun activity, but it can feel good to do when you have been unable to for a while. Just remember to take it easy and not overdo it.
Visit a friend – A good day can be an opportunity to return some visits from friends and family, while this is an activity that may be challenging on a bad day, it can be very enjoyable on a good one.
Begin a new project – If there has been a project you have been meaning to get started on for a while, take the opportunity of a good day and get a start on it. Just remember not to start projects you can’t complete, it will feel depressing later to have a number of unfinished projects waiting to be completed on a good day and never getting to them.
Be active – This is not possible for everyone, it will depend on your level of disability from your illness. However, even someone who is bedbound may be able to achieve some level of activity on a good day, this doesn’t mean run a marathon, it could mean doing some upper body stretches, or whatever you can comfortably achieve without wearing yourself out.
Go shopping – Not everyone is a shopping lover, but having nice new things can make you feel special and rewarded on a good day. Shopping can be very difficult on a bad day, but it can also be fun on a good one. It doesn’t have to be clothes shopping, that isn’t for everyone, it might be visiting a second hand bookshop, or fresh produce markets.
Completely abandon your normal daily activity – Where possible, it can be good to not participate in activities you normally do on a regular basis. For people with severe chronic illness, the computer can be a lifeline, and while this may take you away from visiting The Recovery Room some days, it can be great to do the opposite of what you normally do. So if you spend all day on the computer, get off it, and do something else while you’re feeling good. Treat the good day like a mini holiday, and do something different.

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Fun ways to spend a good day

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Surviving travel

Kristy — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:32:39 +0000

Love travel? Not sure how you will cope? Below are some issues I have encountered travelling with a chronic illness and how I dealt with them.

1. Getting safe and healthy food options – This is especially difficult with allergic restrictions, a weak immune system adds to the difficulties due to fears of food poisoning. I find it helpful at the beginning of each day to stop at a convenience store, buy a big bottle of water, some snacks, and a healthy breakfast for the day. That way no matter where I end up there should be something in the backpack I could eat. I have often resorted to a sugary drink for carbohydrates rather than risk the available options while travelling, being prepared can prevent having to choose such an unhealthy option. Be sure to stay hydrated even if you cannot get a safe food source (drink bottled water when overseas, even healthy people should not drink the tap water in a foreign country).

2. Getting enough nutrients – Not a huge issue if you’re careful, but travelling often means eating lots of junk. It’s a good idea to make sure you sit down for at least one meal every day and make it a good nutritious one. Bringing along supplementation is also a good idea, just in case your diet isn’t its best. A simple multivitamin is probably ok, or you can bring along vitamins that are likely to be an issue, such as zinc, magnesium, iron, and B complex. Multivitamin drinks are often available and can give you a boost if you haven’t brought anything along.

3. Seeing the sights without walking miles - I find this nearly impossible with the type of travelling I do. It helps to have regular rests, it slows down the trip, but there are often places you want to take in so its good to stop at; or it can simply be a good excuse to sit down in a nice cafe for a cuppa. Always use elevators/escalators wherever possible even if you’re not tired. Spend the money on public transport or taxis if it’s an option, in cities it usually is, there shouldn’t be a need to walk too far at once most of the time (always exceptions, even in a museum you can end up many hours on your feet). Organised tours will likely have less walking than travelling independently; it may be a good idea to notify the tour guide of your limitations if you are on one.

4. Keeping within your own limits - This is difficult, travel is exciting, and there is always the feeling ‘I may never do this again’ so there’s a tendency to push yourself. Some things may be worth pushing yourself for; others may not. It’s best to choose the worthwhile battles, always consider if what you are about to do is worth the consequences.

5. Getting enough sleep – This is hard to do when your on the go, but in the least it’s good to get quality sleep. Staying in places with comfortable beds, heating (if it’s cold) and quiet streets, can help make sure the sleep you do get is quality. If necessary get a prescription for sleeping tablets before you travel, rest is very important.

6. Pain management – I find myself often not controlling the pain while I travel, simply because masking the pain may lead me to push myself too far and burn myself out. I use the pain as an indicator of when to slow down. I don’t however recommend this; pain is draining and takes away from the holiday. Get a script for pain relief before you travel, be sure to keep all medications in its original packaging so it can be easily identified by yourself and by others if need be. This also protects you at customs if travelling overseas so it can be identified as prescribed medication.

7. Travel with companions – If possible, don’t travel alone. Having others around you that know about your health issues means that if you get really sick they can take care of you. Also, companions can help make travel easier, by helping with bags, getting food and drink for you if you need a rest, helping you with medications if you’re very ill.

8. Choose holiday types/destinations that are appropriate – It’s hard to have to accept that some destinations are not ideal when you have a chronic illness, but it is something you should do to get the most out of holidays. If you are immune compromised avoid locations that put you at high risk for illness’s such as malaria. Touring is fun, but if your health isn’t up to it, it’s reasonable to choose a more restful type holiday.

Most importantly, have fun!

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Surviving travel

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Fun ways to spend a good day

Surviving travel