How do you Relax

[Mustang0064]

I was wondering what all of you do to relax.  I seem to still have not caught to staying at home and find myself basically doing housework and cooking without much else.  Hobbies or whatever would be helpful.  All i do is watch tv and play around on the net.

[StormyRenee]

I have not been able to fully relax since January 09'. Even when I try my body /brain will not do it. So I try to keep busy and it helps me ignore all the weirdness. I love to cook and bake.I love to watch movies but I get so stiff just sitting for 2 hours. I have to keep getting up and moving around which destroys the momentum of the movie. So I try to do things that require movment. I love walking the pups. Recently on the advise of others I have started to smoke pot.I dont smoke a ton of it because I want to be able to function.Just a little here and ther during the day. It has helped my body finally relax. It helps me sleep which I have a big problem with. And we all know that lack of sleep makes things worse. Some folks may not agree with it but it has helped me a great deal.

[Mustang0064]

I too have started to sit on a stool at the counter...never did before and we do have a nice supper most days...even if it is frozen lasagna with a salad and boneless chicken breast...easy stuff.   I am the kind of housekeeper who makes more mess behind me than what i clean in front of me.


I used to garden a lot and preserve for the winter but have downsized and we are not at home in the summer we have a 5th wheel at a local campground and close the house up.  I have a few veggie plants there and some herbs and a few unconventional ones at that ( whole other thread lol)

For the longest time i only worked 2 or 3 days a week but when the kids were all gone I moved up to 4 days a week and sometimes it's at night 24/7 i am on call  as well for birthing the goats cause i have the most experience and live under 3min from work.

So now i am trying to learn to make cd photo albums for the kids and my parents.
If anyone knows some easy programs I am open to suggestions.

Mustang

[Guitar_grrrl]

I play my guitar and write music, keep a small herb/greens garden (I don't get much frost where I am), I insist on cooking a healthy meal almost every day.  I sit on a stool to chop veggies.  The hubster helps with this.  

I've always been a lousy housekeeper - this hasn't changed!  If I feel I need to vacuum and straighten up an area, it's just that - a small area.

I still work, but I refuse to work more than 3 days a week.

I do Yoga 2x/wk, and when balance isn't an issue, I ride my road bike out to the beach and back (mostly flat, about 22 miles).  I do this with my husband or neighbors so someone can help me if I run out of strength.

Meditation ( I like Thich Nhat Hahn, too), listening to my music collection, calling friends and family just to yak (out of the MS Zone), and I find I feel better when what I'm doing is a gift from my heart, to my husband, extended family, pets, Mother Earth...

Cheers,
Guitar_grrrl

[Mustang0064]

Thanks Pat...you really nailed it.  That is exactly what i was getting at.  Relaxation is very important to those of us with MS.  I was just looking for different ideas on what to do with my time.  I am too fatigued to do my job, but i still need to be occupied if i'm not working and feel like i at least accomplished something at the end of my day other than the dishes.

I used to own a farm with my ex(father of kids) until '96.  Then worked from '00 to 09(april), on a biotech farm which was very hard physically and mentally.

I am priviliged to have the LTD, but have yet to accept not working for my pay!!

I am finding this thread very interesting and hope it keeps up.

[Khiba]

I love taking pictures, especially on vacations and of kids sports. Since my hands are numb, weak and cramped most of the time, my husband has taken over the actual picture taking but I do the editing in Photoshop, and posting to the web. I also do video editing and make DVDs for my daughters tennis team for there annual banquet. I also relax by doing 3D modeling and rendering on the computer, in between naps.

Finding it hard not be able to play sports anymore but enjoy walking each day that it is nice out (not too often in Houston) and regardless of how tired or stiff I am, I get my walking poles and going around the neighborhood. The walking poles help exercise my upper body and stabilize my gait.

I also read a lot on my kindle (cannot hold or turn pages of books anymore) and listen to music on my iPod. I love to cook and make dinner each night in fits and spurts.

When my hands cooperate I work on a latch hook rug. One might take me years to do, but its good exercise for my fingers. :)

[LoveMyBostons]

What honestly keeps me going is my pets. We enrolled one of the dogs in an obedience class. An hour once a week and some weeks I just sat and observed but we all earned a lot. I love coming home to my pets. They really provide entertainment and affection that is unlike anything else.  

In the evenings I like to read or watch a funny tv show. Are you a big reader? I'm lucky enough to have a library right around the corner from my house. They have free dvd rentals too which I enjoy because if the movie stinks at least I didn't pay for it :)

I used to make beaded bracelets and necklaces but I'm finding that too intricate for my clumsy hands lately.

On weekends I like low-key actitivities. Tomorrow we're doing breakfast and a movie. That'll be enough for me. After working all week I like to take it easy on my days off.

[Udkas]

Hi there,
I like to spend time with my dogs, cat (only one) and horses, but of late the horses have been neglected,  I found at the moment when I ride I either end up with jello legs, pins and needles or extra burning privates....so it's not as enjoyable as it once was. and it is depressing me some what as this is my passion, but I am spending time brushing and pampering them, the exercise is hard and tiring even just getting them out of the paddock but it is the ultimate release to stress, my dogs love me endlessly  and I just enjoy playing with them and teaching them.  My daughter trains and teaches and corrects behavioural probs with dogs etc. so I find this interesting and I like swimming and gardening when I have the energy but I work 20 hours a week so usually don't have the time.

Cheers,
Udkas

[Eyesnlegs]

oops forgot to say that those of us who do work often don't have a choice and life is totally exhausting and all energy is used to do that - go to work come home sleep and at work we often achieve a fifth of our previous task level, we often need very understanding employers.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Eyesnlegs]

I haven't been on here in a while as life has been busy again. I would like to see this post started again, it is soooo interesting but I don't feel it has really addressed the original question, although please correct me if I have missed something - I often do.

Everyone here has a different perspective on why they are so busy and on their fatigue levels. I am fast realizing that everyones MS is totally different and of course as I always tell my students PERCEPTION is the biggest word in the dictionary as it changes everything.

Those of us trying to hang on to a job are often too exhausted to do anything after work and find it hard to wind down. Those of us not working have more time to concentrate on home stuff but life is still very hectic for many at home too. So I find discussions about how busy we all are helpful for putting life into perspective.

However, I would love to see a post on how and what we all do to relax as relaxation is very important in MS and can help calm many sx. As Lulu has found exercise too does help with fatigue but when mobility is compromised that too can be difficult.

I have a Type A personality and it has been suggested by the neuro psych that I look at Type B's and try to mimic them - some chance! My body won't work as it should but my mind is still type A.

So back to the original post and my own particular interest what do you do to actually relax enough to help your MS because I could use some suggestions for stuff that takes no energy and can be done in odd moments at work and home.

Be Well
Pat x

[wadeheather]

As stupid as it sounds, especially from a MN'n, I love to weed the garden. I wish we had more time. I could design and care for flowers all day, every day if only we had more than four months to work with here.

I'm actually trying to figure out a way to create my dream nursery here. There's a great bldg a block away, but I can't seem to find the owner.

If you want your lanscaping designed, just send me a msg ;o) I'm all about it!

[Fluffysmom]

Having finally gotten a diagnosis, I can finally use my Provigil to help me do stuff I love, like go to water aerobics (carefully), cook a new recipe , having first shopped for the ingredients.  All my energy before seemed to go towards finding some answers.

I do have more energy when I get up and get moving, as hard as it is some days.  Like today; I need to take Fluffy in for some blood work, but I haven't called for an appt. yet.  Soon as I have that appt, I'll have to get moving.  If I don't take him in, he runs out of his thyroid medicine.

Yesterday, I jumped started myself because I needed to pick up some meds, my allergy vials, and a package that the Avonex people sent me (including a cool purple water bottle).

As for relaxation, I like to read, or listen to relaxing music; I have a wide assortment of meditation music, as well as kind of guided meditation by Thich Nhat Hahn.  I love to make jewelry, when my hand tremors aren't bad.  I can get totally involved in that, creating something pretty.  I enjoy taking pictures; I'm taking a series of the seasons changing out my bathroom window, lol!

During the summer, one of my favorite relaxing things was going and getting a pedicure.

I love to read, all sorts of things.I'm reading some science fiction/fantasy right now, and have a murder-mystery on my bedside table.  I also have all the information the Avonex people sent me, but that's not exactly for relaxation!

Take care,

Kathy

[Lulu54]

How about spending time with that new grandbaby?  There's nothing more relaxing than holding a sleeping infant -I wouldn't be surprised it that puts you to sleep too!

I find that exercise helps to keep me moving - as strange as it sounds, the more I exercise (not work, but walking, tai chi, swimming, etc) the less fatigue I have.

This summer I was in a rut much like you are describing - it took me a while to get out of it, but well worth the effort.  I hope you find something that holds your interest.  

If it becomes too difficult on your own, be sure to talk to your doctor.  You may benefit from medicine for fatigue and/or depression too.

good luck,
Lulu

[Mustang0064]

Thanks all.  Wow a lot of you have so much to do.  I too suffer from severe fatigue.  so i must say my house  is far from perfect, however it is much easier to keep up cause all the kids are gone.  And not working anymore is really helping.  Hubby does all his own laundry, he always has. He also takes me out for supper a lot or order in. i tend to bake more than meal cooking.  I was just looking for some ideas, something different instead of net, tv, net, tv, sleep, tv, net, sleep, tv etc...lol

[Sailorsong]

Relaxing? What is relaxing? :)

Actually after over 20 years of being disabled I think I have that one pretty well worked out.

I keep myself pretty busy at relaxing by making sure I am doing something different all of the time.

One day I may try making up a new recipe (most of them turn out pretty good if I say so myself). My latest one was shrimp cooked in salsa and served over pasta.

Another day I might work on composing some music. This usually takes quite a few days to complete.

Or I may fly a plane on my computer. I'm currently in in the proccess of a flight from NY city to LA in a piper cub. Luckily I have several computers so I can just pause a flight when I get to tried and then return to the flight some other day.

I also like to bowl on my WII, This gives me a little bit of exercise as well as help with my balance problems.

But I would guess my favorite relaxation ( at least until I spot a deer) is walks in the woods around my home to check out the local wildlife. Of course I always have to take a nap after that as it wears my out quite a bit.

Dennis

[mistylee]

oops, ment to say Debs lol!!!!

Thats nothing. Guess what happened to me today. Had to ring up the tax people and they asked me what my husbands full name and birthday was.  UMMMMMM!!!!
Couldnt remember his name, let alone birthday Hahaha!!! How embarrasing is that??

Mistylee

[mistylee]

hey mustang, I know what your saying. Glad Im not the only one here thats just too darn tired to do much. We are going to get someone in to help with the harder housework so I have more energy for the stuff I really want to do.

Still I dont know how some people manage to work even. Im tired just thinking about it lol!!

Mistylee

[Deb61]

How on Earth can you do all of the housework and cook with MS?  I don't do but about 20% of the housework.  About every three weeks I'll do laundry (pathetic, I know).  I don't even cook.  I do work full-time, and this takes all of my energy.  It takes me longer to do EVERYTHING.  It takes me longer to fix my lunch, get dressed, shower, think.  

I would not be able to have passion for anything, either, if all I had time for was to cook and clean.  Is there any way you can let any of that go?  I also suggest making a list of things that you may enjoy doing, and try it out.  I found that I love writing, but I didn't figure this out until I actually tried it and worked on it.  I bought books on writing and just emmersed myself into it knowing that I wasn't going to be Hemmingway or anything, but to find something I could have pleasure in doing.  

I let my family help with the chores, and I frankly don't care if I have dust bunnies or a few dishes stacked up from time to time.  I used to be OCD about housework, and I decided for my health and well-being that I can't do it all.  Too much makes me really sick, and getting frustrated with my family members not doing everything that I used to is not that good either.  

[Quixotic1]

Not to be perverse or anything - but I have to ask

What do you do to get going?!!!

I sometimes think I could just sleep all day....wait a minute....I DO sleep all day.  If I was awake long enough I would post on this wonderful forum that I know of and write Health Pages to stimulate myself and others.

As my Grandma said, "I have dropsy and heart failure.  I dropsy down into a chair and haven't the heart to get up."

Quizzle

[ShadowsSister]

I study how I am breathing, and slow it down and work to keep it steady, I than close my eyes and continue breathing like this for as long as it takes... I found this also helped my Mama lower her Blood Pressure at different times...

My cat would sit on my lap and purr no cat purred better than the Late Shadow. I sure miss the little guy.

I some times will put on the CD of the Ocean Sounds With just candles lit and let the sound carry me to the beach.

I'll knit..
See it just depends what I am dealing with at the moment.

There are other things, such as Prayer but then I pray through out the day.

Now go Relax and have a love filled day and give yourself some hugs, because you are worth the effort. {{{{{{~!~}}}}}DJ

[poker247]

What I do to relax is meditation, play with my 2 dogs although I wear out long before the do, cooking/baking, music, travel (annual vacations and weekend getaways), photography, making photo video shows for others from my pics, editing and reviewing my pics, and working on my website.

Regardless of what time I go to bed I have a hard sleeping past 3 am and I don't have to be to work until 8:30am and only live 3.4 miles from work so it can be frustrating.  To fill my time I do all of the above except play with the dogs(everyone is sleeping) and travel( I haven't won the lottery yet so I have to work and not travel everyday).

To view my photography and website feel free to look at it at:

http://www.s2hphotographicmemories.com

Stay Well!
~Scottie

[Mustang0064]

I have a dog a cat 3 grown children, 2 grandchildren and a Boyfriend/Hubby of thirteens years who is 6 years younger then me.

I seem to myself anyway to be waiting for something....i dunno what it is.

I've always said to this day "i still don't know what i want to be when i grow up" lol I'm 45 now you'd think i would have figured it out by now.

I seem to have no get up and go or no passion for anything...must say i had dedicated the last 9 years to my job.  I loved it, working with the goats in biothech farm, making a vaccine against nerve agents WOW but the b/s with co-workers and brown/noser was too much too bear....type of place where the rich get richer and poor work harder lol

I do have one love it is snowmobiling...it seems to be the only place i feel ok and don't tingle,numbness, tremor, and all the other stuff I am focused and loving it.  But you can only do that so much it cost a lot and mother nature has a lot to do with it.

i am also concerned about my Long Term Life insurance...if they find out i am doing too much will they force me back to work.  

[HVAC]

I accomplish small goal every day. Mostly fixing things around the house.

Take Yoga once a week. I go on walks with friends and with my dalmatian.

I play with my five pets. I am training one dalmatian to be my service dog.

I do self hypnosis. I started a garden, I am growing greens now. I make myself get out even when I do not want to.

I am having trouble reading so I get books on CD from the library.

When my shoulder is better I will start painting animal portraits again. My family is all gone except my brother and I so I have been tracing my ancestry. Found out they have us on the wrong branch of the family tree.

I found I have a knack for writing by writing on Health care issues. I am thinking of writing a book.

Tonight I saw a touring Broadway Show my friend gave me front row tickets for with another friend who had never been to a live musical.

I do advocacy for the MS Society.

Alex

[mistylee]

Hi Mustang,

I'm not much help to you I'm affraid. I left work a year ago due to fatigue. And all I do is light housework, cook, tv, internet.

Hubby works shifts so he is home part days ie. home at 2pm or start at 1pm. So that breaks up my days as well as teenagers. I find I am getting really bored and am asking myself the same thing. Some days I have a nap I feel so tired.  I guess you could say thats my relax lol!!
   I was going to excercise class twice a week but another relapse put a stop to that. Also we are trying to sell the house to lower the mortgage so there is no pressure for me to go back to work and I love doing up houses (not me doing the work lol) so we will buy a house so I have some organising of renovations to do and choose colours etc, as well as bringing the garden up , which I can do at my own pace. These are things I really enjoy doing so it will fill my days.

I am finding at the moment that my mood is often down and I feel unmotivated, partly due to the fatigue and partly lack of excercise and bordom.

Is there anything you really like doing?? Maybe walking group ?? Of course it all depends on your mobility.  I was in a excercise class with women my age . It is a good way to meet people who are also at home during the day and may want to organise social get togethers for coffee and a chat.

I have found that I have isolated myself over the last few years due to this illness. Too tired to do stuff and with not working I have lost contact with previous friends so I am in need of friendships .  It is really hard to get out an mix with people when you dont always feel great. So I would be up for any suggestions too.

Mistylee