Distracted needed please - very, very stressed

Google explorelivecams/africam. It will take you to a watering hole in South Africa where you can watch the animals coming and going in real time 24 hours a day. It's very calming. If you don't like animals there are plenty of other livecams to watch, including orcas and birds. It was recommended by a woman on Radio 4 last week. Do hope your dh is soon safely home. They have lots of different treatments for covid now so I am sure he will be fine.

That’s tough Fanny, I’m so sorry. Being outside, talking to anyone cheerful (no miseries), listening to a short story (can’t hold concentration for a book), working through a mindfulness/relaxation/meditation exercise (easily found on the web) all work for me. I’m sure all have been mentioned before so apologies for my lack of new ideas. Please be physically comfortable, look after yourself. Things like resting if you need to and eating, no matter how little you feel like it. A warm hug from me and a heartfelt wish that you can sleep tonight. Come back and talk to us if it helps, always someone here. We’ll all be thinking of you both. .

Try an app/website Bookbub.
It has books to purchase also some free ones

If you do any crafts, treat yourself to top of the range yarn or cross stitch kit, whatever appeals. Craft shops are desperate for support and nearly all do online ordering.

Best wishes to your husband for a full recovery. Do remember to be kind to yourself during this stressful time and try and eat little and often.

A book I greatly enjoyed listening to was 'Gudrun' - I originally listened to part of it on Radio 4 when it was serialised.

So sorry about your worries, and sending very best wishes to you, and your husband for a fast recovery. I love audiobooks and I'd be happy to try to recommend some if you could offer a few suggestions as to genre and the type of stories you generally like? Otherwise, how about binge watching some good series on telly, or treat yourself to a couple of dvd box sets off Amazon?

I use Audible for listening to books and I do like it. The readers are excellent. However I love BBC sounds, particularly their podcasts. You could be listening for years and never get bored. I also watch bbc etc on my phone. There all sorts of distracting programmes. Good luck and happy listening.

I really feel for you and there are some excellent ideas in this thread, so I will just add that it really helps if you create a structure for your day, so you know when you get up, feed the pets, go for a walk, or whatever. Just some reliable landmarks in the day which you don't have to re-invent every time - they are just there for you. I do hope things go well for you and your husband.

First of all, sorry to hear that you have to deal with such a terrible worry. I hope everything works out fine.

I usually don't like audio books but the two I can recommend and highly recommend are
As You Wish
Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
A Gentleman in Moscow
The first being very funny with well known voices and the second being such an interesting book read by a very smooth voice

Big virtual (((((hug)))))

Sorry to hear your news and hope he’s ok. I always find picking up the phone and talking really helps. Do you have anyone you can ring?

Sorry your husband is unwell . Do you knit , you could knit hats , booty's , cardigans and blankets for the special baby care unit at your local hospital . I find I can loose myself for a good few hours doing a jig saw . Or even find a good series to watch on the television . I hope your husband gets well soon .

I really need this too - my husband has been in and out of hospitals since June and has kept Covid free until this last admission - he was discharged Tuesday afternoon from an isolation situation, but yesterday morning we got a call to say he has tested positive for Covid. We are devastated and panicked because he has many underlying health issues so any distractions are very very welcome!

I too have chronic neuropathic pain and find distraction is better than taking more tablets, so well done for understanding that this is the way to cope with it
Have you tried TED talks? www.ted.com. All kinds of short talks given by all kinds of people with all kinds of life experiences. Some are clever, challenging, full of information and new learning and some are just plain silly and funny. I never feel as though I have wasted time when I listen to TED!
Also The Moth Hour is great for heartfelt personal stories - to be found on Radio 4 Extra (I think). Unscripted life event tales told by ordinary people in their own words
The BBC have some good programmes in their Sounds archive. The one that comes to mind is The Listening Project, again ordinary people telling their own stories
As a means of deep relaxation I have an old tape of Wind in the Willows read by Alan Bennet! You're right it is all about the voice!

Sorry to hear your husband is ill. Sending best wishes.

I have a lot of pain too, and prescribed Amitriptyline which I don't take due to the side effects and weight gain.
I don't know what your health problems are, but I find being outdoors is very therapeutic. A nice walk works wonders for mind and body.
All the very best.

I'm sorry to hear Mr Cornforth is ill, hope he makes a good recovery.
So many good ideas on here FannyCornforth I can't really add anything. Hope you feel better soon, keep us updated on what is happening.

If you start reading Three hours by Rosamund Lupton you can’t stop until you get to the end.

One of the tasks I have set myself this lockdown, is sorting out photographs - I have taken so many!! My aim is to give my DDs the ones that pertain to them. But I am finding I just love reminiscing about the good times we've had, places we've been. If you, like me, have thousands of photos - it's great to take your mind off the situation

Fanny, do you have grandchildren? If so how about writing your life story for them. It doesn't have to be a work of art, just write about your childhood, school, friends, favourite games, how you met their grandad etc. It will bring back lovely memories for you and I'm sure your grandchildren and children would love to read it. You could also add some photos if you have them.

Sending a virtual hug xxx

I hope your Husband makes a speedy recovery, while he is doing that, just do things you want to do, or nothing at all.I when bored, look up old songs on you tube and hear the lyrics and join in, most songs are from years ago, but so nice to hear again. A "feel good" book,takes your mind off things, or try something you havent tried before, you may have hidden talents!
Sending hugs.

So very sorry to hear this. Sending warm hugs.
Perhaps any audio books read by Stephen Fry?

Best wishes to you and your husband. Be kind to yourself. MC Beaton's books, female character Agatha Raisin, are a very light read and cheering. Classical music on low in the background can lift my mood and Pilates, "The Girl with the Pilates Mat" on You Tube is a useful distraction and gentle exercise at a level to suit you. Hope your husband is better very soon. Xx

Audio books ,I have audible membership.
These two are very good as performed with full cast just like a radio play, Poirot's Finest cases and More of Poirot's Finest cases. Best listen I have had in a long time radio plays being back many happy memories

Very sorry you are having to deal with this, best wishes to both of you.
During the 1st lockdown I listened to some mindfulness/breathing podcasts, they are quite short and very gentle. They are extremely useful when struggling to sleep. Clare Connolly is the girl I recommend, there are many different ones of hers to choose, all free.
Link to one here ... insig.ht/w9NhRi40lbb

Fanny, I find CBD oil very good for pain and it can be taken with maximum other painkillers and other medication. No side effects. It is legal and is not hallucinogenic. Many sellers. I've used cbd.co.uk/ and you need the 1000 mg one and take maybe 2 or 3 drops at first to see how it works for you. You get less aware of the pain and less stressed by it.

Also audible has books by Georgette Heyer. Do you know her? She writes regency romances and detective books set in more modern times. Pleasant characters and easy listening. There are lots of Agatha Christie on Audible too.

The BBC iplayer has many old programmes. Radio 4 Extra has those too. They make easy listening if you find ones you enjoy. I like the Food Programme and the Kitchen Cabinet.