Fibro-friendly Activities
Along the same lines, I also enjoy scrapbooking. Taking the extra special memories and turning them into something even more special.
I recently took up gardening as well. Gardening could be a challenge for fibro sufferers, as it has potential to be strenuous. That's why it is important to keep things simple and, if possible, get someone to help out with the more difficult things.
I have a small container garden with four vegetable plants and another pot with one strawberry plant. My husband was able to help out with carrying the heavy bags of soil for me, which I was very grateful for. Now the only thing I have to worry about is watering, feeding, and keeping critters from eating them. All well within my abilities. Gardening is very soothing and calming. And if things go well I will have some healthy, fresh fruits and veggies to enjoy this summer!
I also find journaling to be incredibly relaxing and therapeutic. There are some things that I experience because of suffering with fibro that I need to get off my chest. But most of the time when I try to tell someone how I feel, it seems to come out as a bunch of gibberish. And to be perfectly honest there are some thoughts I just do not want to share with another person. Writing is the perfect outlet for all of those emotions. Keeping too much bottled up is unhealthy. So pick up a pen and some paper and let your thoughts flow. The great thing is is it doesn't even have to make sense, just write down the things you need to get out, and see if you don't feel like a ton of bricks have been taken off of your shoulders.
There are many various arts and crafts projects that are low impact and accessible for chronic illness sufferers. Creating something can bring you so much happiness and joy. These creations can be given as gifts, to bring happiness and joy to others. They can be sold to help cover the constantly rising medical bills most of us have, or a portion of the proceeds could go to a worthy cause. I know of many other fibro sufferers that have enjoyed knitting, sewing, making jewelry, plus so much more.
Another therapeutic activity is coloring. Yes I do mean using crayons or colored pencils with coloring pages. And before you dismiss this as child's play, it really is very enjoyable and calming. Plus there are a lot of options for more grown-up versions of coloring pages that can be purchased, or you may even be able to find free printables offered online. Coloring can now by all means be a grown-up pastime. But really, who wouldn't enjoy feeling like a kid again every once in a while.
This list is really just a small amount of the hobbies and interests we can spend your time doing. The key is to find the right activity for you. Find something that makes you excited, something that calms you, something that helps pass the time, and keeps depression at bay.
Keeping mentally active will be extremely beneficial. Let us not dwell on what we are unable to do, but instead appreciate all the things we are able to do! We are capable of so much, even if we are limited in certain areas. Don't let fibromyalgia keep you from enjoying life.
