By Piper Bayard
I always say the only thing worse than working out is not being able to, and that’s why I go to the gym. Even when we’re doing our best, though, those inevitable illnesses and injuries come along that keep us semi-bedridden for a while. I’m currently going through one of those times myself.
I find the challenge is to keep my spirits up and not give in to thoughts about how long it will take to recuperate, but rather focus on what I can do today. The most important way to accomplish this is to keep up a variety of character building, brain stimulating activities. These are some of the things I’ve found to pass the time during my breaks from reading and writing.
image by Poptart at wikimedia commons
10 Ways to Keep Occupied In Bed
- See how close I can roll to the edge of the bed without falling off.
- Practice burning the edges of satin ribbons with a lighter without turning them black. (It’s an oddly addictive activity. Don’t judge.)
- Make a genuine effort at levitating the dust off of the ceiling fan and into the trash.
- Howl back at the neighbor’s dog.
- Make prank phone calls from my cell phone to the house phone downstairs.
- Watch all episodes of Breaking Bad.
- Mourn the fact that there isn’t another season available.
- Repeat 6 and 7 with Game of Thrones.
- Pause to wonder if J. “R.R.” Tolkien and George “R.R.” Martin are related.
- Contemplate changing my name to Piper “R.R.” Bayard and writing high fantasy. Suppose Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston would star in the movie?
What do you do to keep your mind active when you’re stuck on bedrest?
Besides the obvious, that is. We do keep a PG-13 blog here. 🙂
All the best to all of you for staying gainfully occupied.
Lol since I can’t really move. Afraid to get back in bed, would have to roll off bed to get up. Biggest concern how to get up to charge the phone?
Good point. I suppose you could make it a game to see if you could reach the plug to charge your phone without falling off. 🙂
If I were stuck in bed, I would probably play an awful lot of WoW. And read a lot. And I would read anything by Piper “R.R.” Bayard. 😀
Aww. Thanks, Jeff! And if I were stuck here for long, I might be inspired to update my own WoW account.
You’re far more creative than I am. I hate being on bed rest, and the one time I had no choice (got hit in the eye kickboxing and the doc said my retina might detach), I just lay there and listened to music. I never even thought of levitating the dust off the ceiling fan. Thanks for the list – now I’m prepared in case it ever happens again.
I’m convinced that if I just believe hard enough . . . 🙂
I love this post!! I like to make a little nest in the bed with all things I would ever want within reach on the bedside table (epic supply of tissues, chocolate, book, laptop)… To occupy myself, I like to roll around moaning loudly and try to get attention from the rest of the household. When no attention is forthcoming, I call out pathetically for tea. I hope you’re all better now! I loved Firelands and have just caught up with your WANACon presentation, which I also loved, was sorry not to make the live session, really really helpful. Love the bit where you point out to be yourself on your blog – because being someone else is already taken! Thanks 🙂 Sara
LOL. You’re so funny! I’ve done that wallowing and pathetic calling thing, too. Never works for me.
I’m so glad you enjoyed FIRELANDS and the WANACon class! Thanks so much for letting me know. Totally makes my day. 🙂