10 Things to Do While on Bed Rest

There are a wide variety of things to do while on bed rest, which may include reading, writing, drawing, creating crafts, watching movies, or even listening to music, here are a few of my favorites that have helped me pass the idle days.

Firstly, try saving puzzles for a rainy day; whether you do 3-D, cardboard, or actual brainteasers such as Sudoku, word finds, or crosswords, these will all help keep you occupied as well as giving your brain a work out.

Next, you could try reading a book, a magazine, or the newspaper. This will help you keep up to date with some current events, learning new crafts, recipes, and even facts or ideas about a particular subject.

Afterward, you can write about things that you have just read. Either in a letter to friends or family, creating your own newsletter about the subject (which is easily done on Microsoft word or works), or giving your opinion to your journal. Or you could create a newsletter about your experience on bed rest for your friends and family to keep them updated.

If you are more on the creative side you could try drawing or sketching a picture. Or you could try coloring in a coloring book; even though this sounds like kids' activity it is proven to help relieve stress. Also, try a digital coloring book: on your laptop try downloading a digital media program and creating your own pictures, which you could then color digitally and then print or just print and color by hand.

Now is the perfect time to organize those photo albums or scrap booking! Put a little pizazz to those pictures or objects with scraps of paper, stickers, or even cut-outs easily obtained from your local crafting store, or for a more home-made feel try making your own.

Lying in bed, is also a good time to do some crafts such as crocheting, knitting, or even making your own holiday cards (which could include Christmas, Easter, or maybe just a friends' birthday). If you do not know how to crochet or knit, there are easy to learn kits available at Michaels (craft store) or any of the '˜Mart' stores' craft section (i.e. K-Mart and Wal-Mart).

When boredom hits you again (and trust me it will), try playing a video game or two to pass the time. Some of my favorites on my Xbox 360 are Dragon Age: Origins, where you battle '˜darkspawn' mercilessly through the story line to make it to the master, Archdaemon; and Oblivion, you complete a whole line of quests in the open-ended game. If you don't have a Xbox, try games on your PC Solitaire, Mahjhong Tiles, and the Sims have become my latest time-wasters.

Another PC time-waster, is to either listen to some music, via any splew of windows software programs that are available; such as Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, iTunes, and many more. You could also download a software program to create your own music.

Lastly, you could make a round of calls, keeping in touch with family and friends is always a fine way to keep the clock at bay. Afterward you could crawl up with a snack, some juice, and watch your favourite movie.

Although there are a lot of things you could do, hopefully some of these ideas will help keep you busy during your stay in bed.