Distracted needed please - very, very stressed

Sending you [hugs] and

As others have said, getting outside even for a short time and even if you can't go for a walk, will make you feel better. You could see geese flying over - depending on where you live - as they're certainly on the go here just now. Seeing them always makes me feel better. They just seem so purposeful but calm at the same time, and I love the noise they make and the patterns they form.

Best wishes to you husband and I hope he makes a full recovery very soon.

So sorry Fanny to read this. Sending you a hug from one Black Country girl to another

My way of distracting myself is to bake, or give the house a good clean and tidy, anything to stop the mind from wandering.

Some great ideas already, would just like to add my good wishes for your husband's full and speedy recovery

Sorry to hear this Fanny hopefully your DH will soon be on the mend but obviously you are worried. I find a walk in a quiet area helps to clear your mind, then a treat in front of a lighthearted TV programme. Take care x

I really like The Shuttleworths, it’s a gentle northern comedy but very cleverly done by Graham Fellows. It’s takes a few episodes to get used to the characters (wiki has a good background on the chap who created it, format, episodes etc). A chap called Andrew Hamilton has uploaded episodes on YouTube as they are not always available on iplayer. The episodes of The Shuttleworths are only 15 minutes long but there are longer shows that have been done, such as John Shuttleworth’s Open Mind and others.

I do wish you and DH all the very best.

I forgot to mention it’s a radio show (R4).

Sorry to read your news FannyC. Hope your husband recovers well.
Distraction for me - dog walk is number 1. My daughters used to say they knew if I was cleaning the windows, I was worrying about something
Sending positive thoughts, be gentle with yourself x

Hello again
Thank you all so much for your lovely messages, it really means so much.
Unfortunately there is very little I can do physically as I've been recently diagnosed as having spinal stenosis.
Re the test. It's all very odd, but the hospital has said that he has had / got it, but his symptoms were very unusual and they are a bit flummoxed. I don't really want to go into it, sorry.
Thank you again, I will read all of your messages properly later

Sorry for your news fanny fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for your husband
Have you any good friends you can phone or talk to I always find that’s what helps me I m not so keen on the good walk as I just take all the bleak thoughts with me but if that works for you that could help
I find a shower and a good old cry with the tears and water all mingling together takes some pressure off
Tell your dog or cat all your secrets all that’s worrying you they are marvellous listeners
I leave the books and programmes to us as the feel good ones usually leave me feeling slightly nauseous and the sort I would watch probably wouldn’t help your mood
Anyway take care and keep popping back if you need anything xx ??

To others not to us sorry

I am sorry that you are having such a stressful time, FannyCornforth. I can only suggest that you rest and get a good sleep if you can. When things get tough, I find I can distract myself by doing tai chi with Don Fiore on YouTube. It gives my mind a rest for 20 minutes and I do feel better afterwards.
Take care ?

Hi Fanny, so very sorry you are feeling like this. I hope that you start feeling a little bit better after reading these lovely posts. I spend my time reading, internet, order e-mails etc and also get very tired due to a host of medication which I take for a condition I have. When i start feeling tired, I sleep, sometime just an hour after I've woken lol. I don't feel bad about it and nor should you. Please feel free to PM if you want.xx

So sorry to hear your news and hope for the best possible outcome.
Maybe look at catchup T.V you may find something to distract you.
Sending love and healing thoughts.

So sorry to hear your news Fanny.I hope you get some good news from the hospital soon.?

Not Covid, but earlier in the year, DH was hospitalized twice due to Sepsis with no visitors allowed. As he’d been quite unwell before admission, I then treated myself to staying in bed longer and slept better too. I could stay in the bath as long as I wanted and watch the tv programmed I generally missed.
I think it’s all about looking after yourself first, then blitz the house/garden when you can be ar**d.
I hope your DH recovers soon.
Ps - love Alan Bennett too - try his Talking Heads collection. X

I’m so sorry to hear about your husband Fanny, hopefully he’ll be home soon.

Popped back on hearing that you are not very mobile. A bit of an odd distraction, perhaps, but how about having a look at the Pinterest site.
Key in something your interested in, such as landscapes, knitting, dogs, cats etc. Lots of little pics on the topic, click on one and it takes you to sites on that topic. The time can drift away while you are looking. Useful too.

Fanny
I'm sorry that you can't do any exercise as movement such as walking producers dopamine and seratonin which are 'feel good' hormones. That's why we feel better after a good walk.

Fanny - try Silas Marner - it's read beautifully by Sean Baker on BBC Sounds. This is my absolute favourite audio book and I hope the magic works on you too x

Take care Fanny.

Sorry to hear your bad news, you must be really worried Fanny. I hope your DH comes home soon and recovers well.
It’s difficult to distract yourself when stressed, but reading is good, a kindle or audio book.
Is there someone whose autobiography you’ve always wanted to read?
Or the classic Pride & Prejudice, or a Catherine Cookson book?
Stroke your pets, and eat chocolates if you want to. Take good care of yourself ?

Tough being on your own when you're not well yourself Fanny ☹️
Although you can't go out for exercise, could you sit in the garden (weather permitting!) for some fresh air? My spirits always feel lifted once I make that effort to get out in the open air.
My favourite time-wasting occupation is to research and plan a holiday.
Fingers crossed your husband will soon be home and your own condition can be stabilised.

? for you.

I can’t recommend audio books, sorry but podcasts, browsing youtube, on line scrabble (words with friends practice boards, play a turn within two minutes of your move), mending, crochet, knitting a hat, sit down and tidy “that drawer”. Phone family or supportive friends.
There are sitting keep fit exercises on YouTube.
I’ll be thinking about you both.

So sorry to hear this Fanny.
I tend to walk when I am anxious but if you can’t maybe as others have said ringing a friend would help.
I do hope you get good news about Mr Cornforth soon. That would be the best tonic.

So sorry to hear your news, Fanny - you're such a cheerful and positive poster that this must have come as a hell of a shock to you. However, distraction is definitely what you need so that you don't worry yourself into a heap before getting definite news and/or a proper diagnosis. Whilst the hospital is "flummoxed", do try hard not to fear the worst.

Lots of good advice here and warm wishes for you. Do hope that has lifted your mood a little and you're getting some proper rest. For me, being outside is my salvation if I'm very stressed or worried. Just being....on a seat, in the garden, fresh air, all of nature's distractions. I also like to go back in years to something comforting and non-taxing - an old t.v. series, a play, a concert, something I have maybe seen a long time ago and enjoyed, or something new which I can watch and be absorbed in. I'm another Alan Bennett fan and I love foreign travel with maybe Rick Stein, Michael Palin.....or Billy Connolly's old series. Calming 'wallpaper' stuff with lovely views and no stress. Wishing your DH an early recovery and please keep posting, so we don't worry about you ! ??