How do people who are on disability spend time?
How do people who are on disability (because they are unable to work) spend time?
I spend time engaging with hobbies and things that motivate me. I use some time for hobbies and other times to structurally do tasks that need attention for example noise chores
@rezasophiea, structure is key for me too otherwise I go nuts all day
@CheerySandi For me I need a lot of rest, so that takes up a fair bit of time. Sometimes medical appointments feel like a full time job. Tasks take longer as well as I do pace myself. For example, watering the garden on a hot day. I don't just run out and do it all at once, I take breaks, sit down in the shade or inside and drink cold water. Even when I split doing it with my husband I am just slower, I am often amazed at how much he can do in the same timeframe as me.
I always have more than enough to do to fill time, where I run into issues is what to do when I need to rest but am not sleeping. I do find it's a lot of screen time. Here, other places on the internet, reading, phone game, netflix or youtube, audiobooks.
@AffyAvo
Hi, also i am amazed on how much can my brother, his wife and my nephews do during the day. They never seem tired. They went to ski this week. They sent me a lot of pictures from skiing. I am amazed on how much energy do they have. It seem that they never get exhausted. It seem that other people don't even get tired.
I am resting and my caregiver cleaned my flat and prepared me meals.
@CheerySandi, doing hobbies:
- watching tv, reading, puzzle/lego building, cooking/baking
Thank you for all the answers.
I need a lot of rest. I use electric wheelchair which enables me going around without tiring my body and i have got a caregiver who helps me a lot with my chores. So i can rest. I watch youtube a lot and read books. I also go to 7cups a lot. I like it.
@CheerySandi very nice.
@CheerySandi volunteer work, hobbies, living their life.
@LittlePrincessSarah
Thank you very much.
I have got hobbies and volunter work.
@CheerySandi
I'm not on disability and I work part time, but when I'm not in work, I focus on resting or on my hobbies! I spend a lot of my time at home.
@CheerySandi I help others here at 7cups.
Pacing can become your friend. As others have mentioned, it's harder for us to do even simple tasks like bathing or cooking. So I tend to break things into smaller tasks. There's nothing that says all the dishes need to be washed at once, nor all the clothes be put away at the same time. They can and do wait. If I cook a meal, I will put off the dishes until later, leaving them to simply soak until I'm ready. I've even split up bathing to where I only wash my hair a handful of times a month. It's curly, so I can get away w it, but most people don't actually need to wash their hair daily. It's exhausting!
A typical day for me, besides my caretaking activities, includes doing prescribed PT exercises for my back several times a day and Qigong, an energy workout similar to Tai Chi. I used to do yoga, but my back isn't agreeing w that lately. All are wonderful because they combine body and mind meditations, and also help my body feel physically better as well. I have anxiety too, so the meditations help w that. There are lots of introductory videos for all 3 types on YouTube. Being stuck at home can make you stir crazy, so finding an outlet for that energy is huge. I used to walk when my back was up to it. I also read a lot and watch way too much TV lol...
