What takes you away from pain and stress?

stickywicket

One way or another, I've had a few pretty stressful days so it was good to go to the cricket yesterday. As we entered the stadium I felt all the tension drain out of me and, as I gazed round the ground, even before the match started, I felt, as always, at any cricket ground, completely at ease and at one with my surroundings. Then the match - the skills, the gracefulness, the strength, bravery, teamwork, artistry, intelligence. It was heaven on earth, especially with a glass of wine in my hand and good company at my side.

Here's the serious bit. I reckon everyone (but especially every-arthritic-one) needs something that takes them right out of reality and into fantasyland. What does it for you?

fowls48

Hey Sticky

Hope you are well .
I read to get away from it all , could do with a magic wand to turn Mr Fowls voice of as he talks when i am trying to read

dreamdaisy

Hmmmm.

Sunshine.
Talking to friends.
Music.
Being on here.
Making plans for the future even if they don't come to pass.
Beer. :oops:
Laughing 'til my tummy aches.

DD

Numptydumpty

I used to go for a walk with my dog. That's not possible these days, so I immerse myself in a good book, crime thrillers are my favourites. I also play on my vita (a hand held play station). Then of course there is my quest to find the perfect wine. This fills many hours. You may have noticed, I'm also obsessed with Three Word Story :roll: When I'm feeling really down I stick on a Rolling Stones or Jethro Tull cd, and play it very loud, reliving my youth 8)
I hope you're feeling less stressed now.
Numpty

frogmella

I read. I reckon I have read getting on for a hundred books over the last year. I keep a book journal and did a quick count. I also do a wasgij jigsaws when I can tolerate sitting at a table for long enough. I find that hours pass and I don't even realise. My hubby bought a ps3 at xmas and I have become a little bit addicted to skyrim too!

I am jealous that you were at the cricket yesterday, I love a bit of cricket! Glad you had a good time. We were listening on TMS. Did you see Alice Cooper?

julie47

Going away in the caravan does it for me although I suppose thats a holiday and shouldn't be classed :?

so...when I am out and about on my scooter and just day dreaming as I go on my way, looking at peoples gardens for inspiration.

Reading, tidying drawers (i love that ) talking to friends, listening to music and trying to paint (pictures not the house)

And last night on tv we were watching peter kay. One I hadn't seen before and he made us both cry with laughter......it felt great

Oh yes...and as soon as OH walks through the door

juliepf x

jillyb1

A few hours at the beach with hubby and Betsy dog ; blows away cobwebs and puts things back in perspective . Jillyb

valval

there are three things top one when steve gives me a cuddle, second a good book third games on computer.

elnafinn

What takes me away from stress?

My grandaughter
Lots of laughter - one of the best ways for me
A good meal out or made by someone else
Wine and beer
Good company
Pottering in the garden
Pottering in the home
Baking
Simple cooking
Exercise
Radio 4 and especially my favourite programmes
Still being able to earn a little money weekly to really call my own
Meeting a friend for a meal and a bottle of wine and a good natter
Being with my "children"
Helping others

Goes without saying really ... my husband of 36 years

Hope everyone has a good weekend, it is meant to be excellent weather.

Elna x

dreamdaisy

Ah Numpty, the wine quest, that is indeed a good one and I think I've succeeded . Mind you I'm still hunting for the perfect handbag, purse, necklace and ear-rings, and I hope that takes me a good long while yet. I like doing puzzles and jigsaws (I also use the computer for the latter) and reading is saved for last thing at night when I can't settle - I find it increasingly difficult to muster the concentration for that but this means I can empathise more easily with my pupils. DD

merri

Mine's more a daily thing, I find the only thing that properly relaxes me and keeps me on an even keel is meditation or relaxation.

Other than that I enjoy:
Reading
Going out with OH for meals
Pottering around shops with OH

mig

I like Reading can loose myself in a good book,just started to do long stitch needlework,crochet,knitting and cross -stitch I can't really do without discomfort.Mig

Melrymax

Cuddling up in bed with the kids watching a good old Disney film (electric blanket on to help sooth pain)
And...... Getting lost in the kitchen- baking a good cake or few or making sweets and later on indulging in them
I love experimenting in the kitchen next on my list is to have a go at some Heston type foods made his lemon tart and it was absolutly Devine

suzygirl

I find it important to distract myself from the pain, and I have many 'tricks' to help me.

Reading a good book (when I can concentrate)
Playing silly FB games
Seeing friends
Seeing my nephew
Watching my son play footie
Going for a drink or meal with my hubby
My cat Izzy
The forum helps
I burn essential oils
Looking at recipes, I am in a quest for the perfect curry recipe

suzygirl

P.s Julie, I have recorded Peter Kay, can't wait to watch it. I love him, he is so funny !!!

'Fancy a brew'

dreamdaisy

OK hon, find your Tena pads, you'll need 'em (as may your OH). DD

suzygirl

Thanks for the warning :shock:

dibdab

Cuddling babies- anyone's will do I'm not fussy, reading, and sitting next to the sea or in the mountains- strictly looking though! Or a lovely meal with good friends when I haven't had to cook. On the whole anything that distracts from the aches and pains.

stickywicket

frogmella wrote:

I am jealous that you were at the cricket yesterday, I love a bit of cricket! Glad you had a good time. We were listening on TMS. Did you see Alice Cooper?

Alas, no, forgmella. Alice Cooper was at Lords (TMS interviewed him in the tea interval) and I was at Headingley but Headingley works too.

Blimey! we surely have enough variety of distraction techniques and take-you-away-from-it-all techniques to get every forum member away from their pain and stress for a while. What an inventive, determined, persevering lot we are! It almost makes you proud to have arthritis (But not quite.)

Tubby

Minty the Motorhome! She takes me away into a different world where I can read, take photos or just look at a beautiful view.

The wine quests sounds good but sadly, no longer an option :-(

lynnmick

like elna finn, my 3 year old grand daughter (shes my only grandchild ) really makes me smile and laugh and i love being with her, even when i dont feel so good. My husband is absolutely brilliant and we ve been married for 29 years on september 3rd, we met when i was 15 and he was 16 and got married in 1983 when i was 19 and he was 20 and he still manages to make me laugh on a daily basis, plus he's still dead handsome and looks like elvis presley ( not the skeleton ). I love walking my dogs and am thankful that my legs are still in an okay condition, i love the countryside and trees and fields and listening to wildlife. Being with family and friends and having a laugh, yes you must keep on smiling i reckon.

Lynn x

knuckleduster

I relax by reading, especially in the garden on a sunny day, visiting open gardens and enjoying a cup of tea and homemade cake, listening to my son's awful jokes (they are to corny I just have to laugh). Going for an evening stroll, playing cards and doing jigsaws. I'm an avid radio listener, much more entertaining than the tv and playing my favourite cds so loud the house shakes. I enjoy writing to my four penfriends and putting together short stories.

Janet

Soretoe2

Reading medieval crime novels, the more grusome the better.
Skyping my little grandsons. The babies try to crawl into the screen and laugh at my funny face, the older ones show me their pictures and blow kisses.
Sitting by the sea.
My computer which has improved the loneliness of disability for me amd my family.
Listening to my radio, I now have an internet radio and can listen to programmes from all over the world when I can't sleep.
My hubby of 40 years, he gets better with age and is my rock.

applerose

Love my garden. I used to spend hours weeding, seeding and planting. Can only do a little at a time but it helps me forget my RA. Also spending time with my grandkids. They are funny at times.

frogmella

I love cooking too, hadn't even thought about that as escapism! It makes me feel like I have achieved something.

Suzygirl - have you tried any Madhur recipes - they are pretty close to perfect for me.

LignumVitae

Music and baking cakes...especially if I invented the recipe, or the music mix! Going for hot chocolate with Mr LV (the more calorific and heart attack inducing the better), my beautiful dogs (2 dalmatian boys and their stripped sister, we cut a sight!), a good book and being in a beloved football ground, heart pounding, nerves jangling, along with many others! My garden, a hilltop and beaches - I feel all soothed just writing those things down