Distracted needed please - very, very stressed

Obviously the title should read Distraction needed.

Oh, Fanny! Just sending you a hug.

I was thinking about starting a thread on life's little luxuries - small things that enhance my life. This was prompted by opening a new pad of Post-it notes. Little things!

I wonder what other small things people find life enhancing?

Great kitty! Thank you that's a lovely idea.
And thank you for the hug. x
Life's Little Luxuries (LLL)- I will have a think and get back to you.
Must get up now!

If you’ve ever visited Paris ( or wanted to) and love cake then you may enjoy “ We’ll always have Paris”
I’ve only listened to a few books this one was on BorrowBox free from my local library, I loved the speakers voice and the description of cakes. A real no calorie treat.
Pets are a great distraction, maybe bake some treats for them.
I’d be lost without my husband so feel for you, hope you get better news later today x

Fanny I'm so sorry you're going through this. Oh gosh, I wish I had some advice about distractions - I will have a think and report back if any brilliant ideas pop up in my foggy head.

In the meantime, (((hugs))) from me. I will be thinking of you xxx

Just go with how your body feels FannyCornforth , if you feel like doing absolutely nothing then that is what you should do.

How about ordering yourself some posh chocolates or/and flowers online ??

I think phoning friends and neighbours to find out how they are without dwelling on your worries would help me in your circumstances. I set aside time at least once a week to keep in touch, especially with those who are alone. I try to find amusing anecdotes to make them smile.
Meanwhile I’m so sorry your husband is ill. Thankfully the medical staff have learned so much about treating the virus in the last 6 months I am sure he will be fine.
Chin up and keep posting. ?

Sending a big virtual hug Fanny. Such difficult times and when you feel like you do it’s not always a help to know others feel the same. I try and make regular phone calls to catch up with people I haven’t seem for some time - everyone is pleased to get that call and it can really break the day up. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself to maybe a nice bath soak ..... we don’t always need to spend a lot to have a treat. Thinking of you and wishing your husband a speedy recovery. ?

I'm sorry to hear about your husband, Fanny and hope he progresses well. You must be very anxious and it's difficult to settle to anything when you have "the jitters".

To me, the voice is more important than the story.
It depends on whose voice I suppose, I like Joanna Lumley but I've read on here that others do not. Horses for courses.

I've not tried listening to the Agatha Raisin books but have read them and found them entertaining, but there may be a very much wider choice in this link

www.audible.co.uk/series/Agatha-Raisin-Audiobooks/B00HST8L3E

Fanny Sorry to read that your husband is unwell, I wish him a speedy recovery.
I know you want distraction ideas, but I hope you don't mind me asking, if you had a covid test to set your own mind a rest ?

I find listening to Jason Stevenson mindfulness on YouTube helps to bring my stress levels down.
Very useful for the 3am insomnia.

Also listening to Desert island discs and the odd play again can be found on YouTube.

A little comedy can make you smile.
Whatever your preference it is worth looking for old programmes on BBC iplayer or again YouTube.

Avoid the news and newspapers.
Try and keep your fluids up.
Bananas and soup are my easy go to food wise.

My very best wishes to you and Mr Cronforth x

if you had a covid test to set your own mind a rest ?
You should get a home test kit, I hope.

Do you have plenty of food and necessities in or can someone shop for you whilst you self-isolate?

So sorry to hear this, best wishes to your DH for a speedy recovery.

I do jigsaws and listen to music when I need distracting or I watch old films on TV. Or read books, I find audio books send me to sleep.

You could go onto Pinterest, plenty of pictures and things to occupy you for an hour or 3.

When I’m really stressed I clean the house, thankfully I’m not that stressed that often.

I am so sorry to hear what you are currently going through. Be kind to yourself, talk to your friends, buy yourself a few treats. I love getting a new bath oil or soap. Don’t let yourself brood on things. Try to do a bit of exercise if you can. Sometimes it is hard to force yourself but even a few stretches can make you feel better. Yoga with Adriene on YouTube is brilliant if you’re up to that. It’s gentle and Adriene is so lovely. Try not to think about bad things. When my daughter was really poorly, I literally could not bear to think about what might happen. I know this sounds stupid but I had to try to think about two different things at once to stop my mind from heading back to the awful situation we were going through. Sending virtual hugs.

Yes, so so sorry to hear- and let's hope he will soon be home and 'mended'.

For me, the best distraction is to go out to the woods and walk, and breathe, or be in the garden. Are you able to get out? x

Well done for identifying what can help you, Fanny, great thinking. Have you tried podcasts? I used to love Radio4 and talk radio; podcasts are a glorious expansion of that. You can search out topics that interest you.

You are in my thoughts xx

Fanny sorry to hear about your DH.
I find online jigsaws a distraction, I started doing them after surgery when I was immobile.
I find Alan Bennett audio books entertaining especially when he reads them himself.

So sorry to hear about MrFC, I hope he makes good progress.

How about ‘A Good Read’ on the BBC Sounds (it’s the radio) webpage. You’ll find it alongside iplayer on bbb.co.uk. They have pages and pages of programmes, with well known people discussing interesting books. I have just listened to Bianca Jagger and Mariella Fostrup. Previously have listened to Jo Brand, Nina Sosanya and David Nichols.
Then if you like the sound of the book you can order it on Amazon and it could be with you the following day.

I hope you find something helpful and am sending you flowers.

A walk with a dog usually cheers me up - that soppy smile and waggy tail- but I also know only too well how worry and grief can paralyse me - music starts up the tears, can’t concentrate on a book, don’t feel like food, etc
Maybe a favourite gentle TV programme? (On iPlayer or a DVD) I remember when there was little hope for our baby boy how watching Morecambe and Wise actually made me laugh.
I would say try to find company - within Covid regulations of course and please stay in touch on GN.
With sincere hopes that this is not as serious as you fear xxx

I am so sorry Fanny I can only imagine how you must feel. I know that this goes against what others are suggesting but I have always found that getting stuck in to a job that maybe you have been avoiding, helps me - cleaning the cooker, scrubbing something really vigorously. Then I follow this up with some pampering and a good book. Try everything suggested by others, anything to keep you occupied. My thoughts are with you and your husband, I hope you have good news soon.

So sorry to hear about your husband. My neighbour had COVID and is back home now - so don't worry too much.
I find playing online games, like the ones here, quite relaxing. I also find,decluttering, very therapeutic- going to do that now.

Fanny, if you like a blissfully soothing voice you might try watching and listening to Bob Ross on i player. Each programme only lasts 1/2 hour bit every little helps.

So sorry about your DH.
I’m another who has to be kept busy with a mindless task, such as clearing the garden leaves, cleaning the kitchen, polishing and getting outside for a walk.
Hope things are brighter soon.

As well as the excellent suggestions already given, I would like to add exercise in the fresh air.

A brisk walk, even just from your home will do you the world of good. I hope it doesn’t sound like a cliche but it does help at least a bit to dispel anxious feelings.

It should help you to sleep well too.

I hope you have some encouraging news about your husband tomorrow.
It’s good to remember that, despite all the doom and gloom surrounding Covid that the vast majority of people of ALL ages make a complete recovery.

My daughter just got Clanlands from Amazon for her kindle and decided to get the audio book as well.She wa stressed to the max ,its been a very tough few weeks .She says she sat up very late to listen to it as it was hilarious and informative.If you're an Outlander fan this might hit the spot for you or even if you're not you might enjoy it .
Hope it gets better for you very soon