Impish Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Other than drinking, which is a serious consideration these days, what suggestions do you have for relaxation/stress relief? Excerise is out, arm can't take any prolonged movement...even walking, my arm starts to feel like it's ripping out of it's shoulder. Reading isn't working, my concentration is shot. Eating...blech. Soaking in the tub is next on the hit parade...assuming there's a clean towel around, which I haven't checked yet...prob end up doing a load of laundry instead of soaking. Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 :bigear: I need to know this, too. Cupcakes worked for a day... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Lately I've been zoning out in front of the TV with some good old shows on Netflix. Right now it's Heroes. I also enjoy playing search and find video games by PopCap, althought lately, I don't even have the patience for them. I used to read a bunch. Right now I can't even read a sentence without my mind wandering. I know you said no exercise, but I find the meditative exercises of yoga very helpful. Cyclical breathing and total body relaxation work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Meditation. Turn off the computer. Meditate. Works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Meditation. Turn off the computer. Meditate. Works for me. Yup. And if you need something guided because your mind won't turn off, Mediation Oasis podcast through iTunes has some good guided meditations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Meditation. Turn off the computer. Meditate. Works for me. :iagree: Even if exercise isn't great, some light meditative yoga might really help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 A very long movie, BBC Pride and Predjudice 5 hour long totally check out of the universe type of thing :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Other than drinking, which is a serious consideration these days, what suggestions do you have for relaxation/stress relief? Excerise is out, arm can't take any prolonged movement...even walking, my arm starts to feel like it's ripping out of it's shoulder. Reading isn't working, my concentration is shot. Eating...blech. Soaking in the tub is next on the hit parade...assuming there's a clean towel around, which I haven't checked yet...prob end up doing a load of laundry instead of soaking. Any other suggestions? I already posted my suggestion on the FB page. ;) :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Ambien. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb44 Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Music, ipod, headphones. Once in a while I will play online games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Impish, what happened to your arm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Honestly, to relax somedays I go hide out in my sewing room. I close the door, light a candle and just sit here in my comfy chair and veg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 I can't do yoga. You need 2 arms functioning to be able to do that. Shannon, I have RSD in my rt hand/arm. Easiest way to explain, it's like the nerves in my arm are constantly telling my brain that it's broken, mangled, smashed. Def not able to weight bear at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Tea with the dh. Relaxes plus it makes me look younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Tea with the dh. Relaxes plus it makes me look younger. :lol: Wolf wasn't home. He had an end of season gig b/c the students are heading back to University/college in the next wk or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 I'll 3rd or 4th meditation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 I'll 3rd or 4th meditation. :iagree: A few minutes to meditate and deep breathing help me destress and relax more than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeindeed Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Drinking coffee and reading "fluff" Spa night with friends ( facials, pedicures, manicures, "girl" talk) Taking a long walk (sometimes listen to iPod and other times just enjoy the sounds of nature) Watching a comedy (movie or television show) Date night with hubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Tea with the dh. Relaxes plus it makes me look younger. :iagree: I listen to my iPod, sometimes music, sometimes fluffy podcasts (I'm a Disney nut). I read for enjoyment, nothing serious or for school planning. I like to sit outside on our deck and enjoy the woods, creek, birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 little things that help us: - having a bird feeder. sitting watching the birds is peaceful - a routine that includes relaxing moments. i'm starting my day with a cup of coffee and all of you. - getting outside and just sitting for sunrise or sunset. if you need a screened in gazebo, then for us that's worth saving for. - making music. singing with the kids, by myself, playing the piano or anything i can manage for even just a few minutes helps a lot. - and for me, little rituals that i do each day at the same time become more relaxing. eg. my favourite morning music is "mozart with your morning coffee". i hadn't played it in years, after listening to it most mornings when the kids were little. i put it on the other day, and the relaxation just flowed thru me :grouphug: ann ps. does a sling help the arm at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 My sympathies Imp :( Does heat or ice help? Or is it a situation in which only medication relieves pain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 This summer has been hell and I am exhausted. Sometimes I am so tired and sore it hurts to just sit in a chair. So I go for distraction first and foremost. Comedy is the best because it distracts you and then if you really get laughing it releases endorphins as well. I also watch a lot of documentaries because at least then I am still learning while being distracted and not accomplishing much else. I am working my way up to finishing the books I was reading when my hubby had his HA two and half months ago. Some days I only get a few sentences in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil' maids in a row Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I have found that taking 600 mg. of magnesium everyday pretty much eliminates my stress. If I have a rough day, then a long run and an epsom salt bath is awesome. Meredith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Meditation. Turn off the computer. Meditate. Works for me. :iagree: This in a darkened room with nice incense, scented candle, or blend of essential oils for sniffing. If it is bright indoors, eyeshades will do the trick. No eyeshades? A long dark sock or washcloth over the eyes will work. Earplugs help too but are not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Swinging also relaxes me, and it is a great activity to do at a park with the kids. I think it is helpful to me because I *may* have a sensory integration problem. So said my child's occupational therapist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) ann ps. does a sling help the arm at all? My sympathies Imp :( Does heat or ice help? Or is it a situation in which only medication relieves pain? Any stimuli is misinterpreted as pain. I can get away w/heat if it's cold out, trying to combat the chill, or in a tub full of hot water...prob is, when I take the heat away, or get out of the tub, the difference in air temp causes it to react anyways, so while I get a bit of edge off, it comes roaring back w/a vengence. Ice is a bad, bad, bad thing. Cold, even just from being in a pool, makes my hand and arm swell and turn purple. Honestly, if it wasn't so painful, it would be down right ridiculous. I've had women do a dbl take and ask me in a panicked voice what was wrong w/my hand b/c I was at the deli too long, or didn't hustle fast enough through the frozen food dept. I feel horrid for their panic, and offers to 'sit down, I'll call for help' and having to explain, no, it's nerve damage...meanwhile, I'm talking through gritted teeth, in a cold sweat, and praying to get out of the store before I pass out or hurl on someone's shoes. Thankfully, it doesn't happen every time, but... Needless to say, I haven't gone grocery shopping unattended since RSD set in. :glare: ETA: I can't use a sling. Bending my arm that far is painful on it's own, a sling would be a nightmare. Edited August 17, 2012 by Impish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 At the risk of sounding new-agey, I would suggest trying a Bikram (hot) yoga class if there is a studio within a reasonable distance. I know you had commented earlier about not being able to do yoga, but Bikram is not a 'normal' westernized yoga. It is a 90 minute class done in a room heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity. It has helped me with some chronic pain issues related to depression, although I understand that my experience with chronic pain likely pales in comparison to yours. There is a page on the Bikram website that has a testimonial from a gentleman with RSD. He briefly discusses his therapy and experiences and claims to now be in remission. Like anything in life, of course it is to be taken with a grain of salt, but I just thought I would send this your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Prayer. Same thing as mediation, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 It probably sounds a little corny, but spending time in nature is my favorite way to relax. Either taking a walk through the woods or along the beach, or just sitting on the bench in my garden, is immensely peaceful. Meditation is great too, though I've had mixed success with it. I have a terrible time with "monkey mind". :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) If you put your arm in a sling for walks, would it help? Keep it from feeling like it's coming out of the socket? I like to watch movies or shows that make me laugh. Edited August 19, 2012 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) :grouphug: Edited August 23, 2012 by ksva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Jo Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I've been watching Star Gate SG-1 on Amazon Prime. I need to turn it off though, and read - I scored some interesting looking books at the Goodwill today. I'd love to have an adult drink instead, LOL. How about a nap? Or a quiet, hot bath with candles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Meditation. Turn off the computer. Meditate. Works for me. :iagree:nm Edited August 19, 2012 by flutistmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.