THINGS TO DO WHILE ON BEDREST:
1) Let others help you! You have no idea how important this is. When you don't allow others to help you, you are hurting them. The ones you love want, no they need, to be a part of your recovery. Let them do it. It doesn't make you strong to push others away.
2) Grow your passion. I have been working on my Etsy store and my ElephantBack Arts Facebook page. I can't lift my arms so painting and drawing are still a couple of weeks away, but I'm making a list of projects I want to do. Find what makes your heart sing. Read, write, draw, watch old movies, paint your toenails, whatever it is . . . bask in it.
3) Learn something new. I've been doing research on meditation and positive self image. Learning means that I'm moving forward even if I can't actually move my feet in a new direction.
4) Take baby steps. As you are allowed to get up and do more things, don't such jump back to normal the first day you're off bedrest. Take it slow. Give yourself a couple of weeks to get back to normal. Then, give yourself a couple more weeks to work back up to super you. This is especially true if you workout. I was running three miles a day. This week, I walked around the block two days in a row. I have confidence that I will get back to my former health and strength. You will too, but not if you don't work up to it.
5) Take a few minutes every day to just revel in the rest. I know. It's boring and tedious to be on bedrest, but who knows when you'll have this time again to just be. So, appreciate this moment.
6) Practice mindful meditation. There are tons of great guided meditation sites out there. Learn how to quiet yourself. Learn how to connect to yourself and to your universe. Check out the resource page for my favorite meditation website.
7) Make a list of goals you want to accomplish once you're up and at 'em again. I made a list of hikes I will accomplish before the end of 2016.
8) Create a dreamboard. I have a digital dreamboard in addition to the dreamboard I made with my lovely friend, Sarah. There's a link on the resources page. It's so much fun, and it really is inspiring.
9) Sleep. When will you ever get a chance again to sleep as long as you want at any time of day or night that you want. Do it. Your body will feel rejuvenated. Don't forget to put yourself back on a good healthy sleeping schedule once bedrest is done. I'm sleeping 9 - 10 hours just at night now. When I first got home, it was 10 - 12 hours with a nap or even two during the day. So, I'm getting stronger and more energetic all the time.
10) Get well! That's your job right now. Nothing else. The world will not stop spinning on its axis if you take some time to heal. So heal.
Be good to yourself, my friends!