Fun Things to Do When You're Sick, But Bored

Most lupus patients talk about the fatigue, joint pain, and social isolation that comes with a chronic illness. But a topic you hear about less from chronically ill people is the boredom of being too sick to do anything. When you’re not able to work, hang out with friends, or even get out of bed, the hours seem endless and dull.

At different points in my life with lupus, I’ve been stuck inside for months. I was once bedridden and barely able to sit up for almost six months. Unable to work or even walk, I had to find ways to keep my mind active and to pass the time. Here are some of my favorite boredom busters. They can all be done from bed.

Lupus boredom busters

Read

Never before in history have people had so much variety in what we can read, combined with such easy accessibility. We can buy used books and have them delivered through the mail without even leaving our homes. We can listen to audiobooks through Amazon or for free through the Libby app. If your world is boring due to lupus limitations, grab a book and dive into a world that isn’t.

Garden

The best part of gardening is watching new life appear. I love seeing tiny green sprouts push through the ground, later growing into herbs, vines, or trees. The second best thing about gardening is that it can be as labor-intensive as you want it to be. When I’m feeling well, I plant seeds in seed trays and repot them when they’re big enough. I also keep herbs in my backyard, watering them every few days and clipping sprigs of rosemary or sage to cook with.

Gardening can be as simple as you like, though. I keep hardy succulents in coffee cups on my windowsill, watering them occasionally. Being around plants is proven to boost your mood¹ and has far less side-effects than the medications we have to take.

Watch movies

A flare is a bad time to do almost anything — except catch up on all those movies and TV shows your friends keep telling you to watch. Prop your laptop up on some pillows and watch from your bed.

Call friends

You might not be able to go out with your friends, but you can still call them. Especially if you have friends who live far away from you, take this time to catch up with them. Not to mention, a good friend is an invaluable source of emotional support during a difficult time.

Write

When most people think of writing, memories of book reports and term papers come to mind. But writing doesn’t have to be boring and academic. Try writing fan fiction about your favorite novel. What would the world be like if Hermione fell for Harry and not Ron? If you were in the Hunger Games, what would you do?

If fan fiction isn’t for you, write poetry. With poetry, there’s no pressure to follow grammar rules or even write in complete sentences. In addition, many chronically ill people keep the world informed about their disease by writing blogs. Often, these blogs can be a beacon of light for others who are struggling with similar illness. At my sickest, starting a blog helped me vent about the fear and frustration of my illness, as well as connected me to dozens of other chronically ill bloggers.

Snuggle with your partner or pet

You might be stuck in bed, but that doesn’t mean you have to be there alone. Have a cuddle party with your partner, pet, or even some stuffed animals. Popcorn and snacks optional!

Plan an outing for when you feel better

When we’re stuck inside, what we want most is to be able to go out. I like to plan a day just for myself when I feel better. I don’t make it too strenuous or too near in the future. I might grab coffee with a friend and check out a bookshop after, or try that new Indian restaurant near my house. Having fun plans for the future reminds me that while I’m sick and bored now, that won’t always be the case for the rest of my life.