Pastimes for severe cfs

[Luna Don]

Hello, my husband has very severe CFS and is extremely limited in his interactions. Have you any suggestions for past times or things to entertain him? He is noise sensitive, and cannot read for long periods of time.

 

[Pyrrhus]

When I was in a bad shape, I liked to watch calming videos like a roaring fireplace or a sunny beach.

I would also read books written for children, like the Harry Potter books. Other people enjoy re-reading a good book that they have already read, or watch a good movie that they have already seen.

There are other threads with other suggestions:
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/activities-to-do-in-bed.76852/
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/looking-for-reaaally-calm-novels-as-sleep-aid.75927/

If you search the forum, I'm sure there are other threads with good ideas out there:
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/pages/google-search/

Hope this helps.

 

[Howard]

It can be very difficult finding non-physically or non-mentally taxing activities under those conditions. Of course, different people have different abilities needing to be taken into consideration.

There are also posts within the
Living Life From a Bed threads that you may find helpful:

https://forums.phoenixrising.me/forums/living-life-from-a-bed.239/

H

 

[Richard7]

audiobooks are a good idea. There are lots of free ones on archive.org https://archive.org/details/librivoxaudio

I download them onto an mp3 player and when I am having noise sensitivity issues I listen to them through either noise canceling headphones or noise isolating earphones.

If I like the voice I even listen to them when I am too brain-fogged to understand what I am listening to.

Re noise sensitivity I find that base is a particular issue. If you have a stereo which allows you to turn the treble up and the base down he may find that makes it easier to listen to music.

 

[Wishful]

Other people enjoy re-reading a good book that they have already read,

Yes, I find that rereading old favourites is easier on my brain than reading something new. Mindless handwork is good too; I like taking (scrap) electronic equipment apart when I can't focus on reading. Pity that I haven't felt like making anything from the parts for quite a while.

 

[Diwi9]

I am not severe, but have had some extended crashes and have sensory issues all the time, but even worse during crashes. I cannot follow audiobooks in this state, it takes too much focus/concentration. I have found that delta wave or alpha wave compilations on YouTube are helpful. Also, I can listen to some classical music. My best wishes for your husband @Luna Don . It means a lot to people with ME seeing caretakers trying to understand and look for resources. Your concern for your husband actually raises the spirits of others who are suffering.

 

[Howard]

Noise Sensitivity Options: Live Streaming Cameras

Of course, I'm unaware of your husband's particular interests, but this activity is low intensity and soundless, if you choose that option.

For my own selfish reasons, I created a YouTube playlist that consists of live streaming cameras from around the world. Back when I was more physically and mentally sensitive to everything, this was really my only viewing option and only form of entertainment. Very low intensity. Watching live streaming cameras gave me a sense of being there, being somewhere, being anywhere. I haven't been out of bed in 5 years, so sometimes I need a little quiet adventure.

Live Streams

The playlist includes over 200 live streams, including multiple cameras in Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean, Europe, the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere in the United States.

If he enjoys watching trains, I have nearly two dozen viewing options listed. Ships, boats, waterways and beaches? Yes, lots of those, too. And then there's a smattering of downtown cameras and myriad streaming views of nature from abroad.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXFbgXAoXeJzi1kVrBnDUPiTgkZFRZ56W


I also have nearly 50 point-of-view "Train Rides" listed on a different playlist. For those videos, you get to ride along up front and go wherever the train goes. Most of these videos are in Japan, but there are several from Europe, mostly Switzerland.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXFbgXAoXeJwNYPYIYtd4oHjpO_Nq3a1Z


And I also have a playlist entitled "Going for a Walk" - and each of these walks takes place in Japan. There's no narration, just the sounds of nature and the sounds of whatever else happens to be occurring naturally, depending upon the environment. On this playlist, I put my favorites.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXFbgXAoXeJxyZIQnERX74ftLWbTWTKNk


And the way I watch these videos is by utilizing an Amazon Firestick. So I can leave these individual streams running on the flat screen television throughout the day, or as needed. The Firestick was only $39, and has been working rather well.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

H

 

[Pyrrhus]

I have found that delta wave or alpha wave compilations on YouTube are helpful.

I have also found binaural beats, listened to through headphones, to be enormously helpful. My favorite is Jeffrey Thompson's "Brainwave Suite":
https://www.scientificsounds.com/store/relaxation

Here are some threads on binaural beats:
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...ound-therapy-to-reregulate-brain-waves.62866/
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/trouble-meditating-try-binaural-beats.33436/
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/binaural-beats-app-android-free-helping-with-sleep.79480/

Hope this helps.

 

[Tammy]

For my own selfish reasons, I created a YouTube playlist that consists of live streaming cameras from around the world

I have watched some of your playlist and have thoroughly enjoyed. I love the walks the best so far. Very calming and entertaining as well. I think I have found a new favorite pastime! Don't know why I didn't think of this!

 

[Anchoress]

As I ditched a lifelong addiciton to TV decades ago, way before I had internet,,,,, I can now gently catch up with whatver takes my fancy on youtube.. I do not have the concentration or eye strenght to read whcih I loved dearly,, reading Lord of the Rings every Advent....and do not like hearing reading aloud,,, so I haunt youtube for BBC series like The Bill, Casualty...basically anything with a storyline... .Alwaya sitting abed always with legs straight and knitting to hand, sitting up of course. A simple and pleasurable way to pass time with an end product as well as "leaving" my self and this situation for a while..at a time of my choosing.. The internet makes a tremendous difference to my life with CFS/ME.... for the better... I am now totally permanently alone.

 

[Emmarose47]

How about a touch- sensory tray or box..
You could put different things in it and he can touch them.. Guess what they all are .
I know when I'm bed bound squeezing a stress ball and smelling oils helps me.

Also doing v gentle stretching, moving toes, moving head, stretching hands.

Meditation is a big part of my day also... God ones on insight timer..

Sending my best wishes to your husband
Let him know he isn't alone...

 

[Emmarose47]

Typo good ones

But hey nothing wrong with God from this household!

 

[Anchoress]

I have watched some of your playlist and have thoroughly enjoyed. I love the walks the best so far. Very calming and entertaining as well. I think I have found a new favorite pastime! Don't know why I didn't think of this!

I dare not look as I would get hooked on it !