Sedentary hobbies for distraction
May 3, 2022 4:11 PM Subscribe
I've been having a rough time recently on multiple personal levels, and one of my problems is that a recent injury is leaving me too much time to sit and ruminate on how awful everything is right now. What are some engrossing hobbies/activities I can do while sitting in a high-backed chair, that don't involve reading or screens?
I broke my back, and my doctor has forbidden me from any physical activity more strenuous than gentle walks (which I am taking several times a day) for the next few weeks. I am in a back (TLSO) brace that limits my movements and the only real comfortable positions I have are either lying on my back or sitting back in a high-backed chair. I have all my screen-based activities (TV shows, video games) covered. What are some other ideas for activities to distract me for the next few weeks?
I broke my back, and my doctor has forbidden me from any physical activity more strenuous than gentle walks (which I am taking several times a day) for the next few weeks. I am in a back (TLSO) brace that limits my movements and the only real comfortable positions I have are either lying on my back or sitting back in a high-backed chair. I have all my screen-based activities (TV shows, video games) covered. What are some other ideas for activities to distract me for the next few weeks?
Origami, lettering/calligraphy, coloring books, learning magic tricks with cards, puzzles.
posted by sacrifix at 4:22 PM on May 3, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by sacrifix at 4:22 PM on May 3, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you're finding lap-based crafts and activities like the ones mentioned above challenging because you want to hunch to see what you're doing, try prism glasses (annoyingly better known as "lazy glasses") to bend your gaze downward without moving your neck or shoulders.
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 4:28 PM on May 3, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 4:28 PM on May 3, 2022 [14 favorites]
Call your elderly relatives and ask them to tell you long stories about their childhoods.
posted by pinochiette at 4:58 PM on May 3, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 4:58 PM on May 3, 2022 [5 favorites]
Please allow me to enthusiastically suggest painting your nails. It's fun, the supplies are inexpensive and extremely accessible, you get better fast with practice, and the end result is you got pretty nails without a bunch of Bad Art That Is Too Big To Store.
posted by phunniemee at 5:02 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 5:02 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
If you had a keyboard or piano, you could play that with good posture.
posted by amtho at 5:03 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by amtho at 5:03 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
Listen to playlists of music that is unfamiliar to you on Spotify or Apple Music, skipping ahead to the next song the moment you realize the current song or piece is truly awful. When a song isn't bad at all, add it to your own playlist. I can occupy entire weeks doing that when I'm unable to do anything else, and I end up with some amazing playlists. And you can do it sitting bolt upright or walking (with earbuds).
posted by Peach at 5:08 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Peach at 5:08 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
Weaving! I just started a small project with this small hand held Clover loom - it’s been fun and easy so far.
posted by blacktshirtandjeans at 5:10 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by blacktshirtandjeans at 5:10 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
Begin learning a new language using audio books.
posted by orange swan at 5:14 PM on May 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 5:14 PM on May 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
Embroidery has been mentioned already, but I wanted to let you know about Sublime Stitching, which has some super cool and unique embroidery patterns. If you want to make a portrait of Frida Kahlo, space aliens, or 50s style cats, they've got you.
posted by FencingGal at 5:18 PM on May 3, 2022
posted by FencingGal at 5:18 PM on May 3, 2022
Learn basic dexterity/craft type stuff:
Coin manipulation
Coin stacking
Card shuffling techniques/tricks
Building card houses
Pen tricks
Rope and knot work (decorative or functional)
Crochet/macrame
Bead based art (perler sprites, necklaces)
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:27 PM on May 3, 2022 [5 favorites]
Coin manipulation
Coin stacking
Card shuffling techniques/tricks
Building card houses
Pen tricks
Rope and knot work (decorative or functional)
Crochet/macrame
Bead based art (perler sprites, necklaces)
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:27 PM on May 3, 2022 [5 favorites]
If breathing isn't an issue, you could try learning harmonica. Even if it is, harmonica playing is sometimes used therapeutically for people with lung problems or asthma, though in that case, you'd want to check with your doctor.
(I was going to suggest tin whistle, but those are kind of long and might require you to lean back.)
posted by FencingGal at 5:30 PM on May 3, 2022 [5 favorites]
(I was going to suggest tin whistle, but those are kind of long and might require you to lean back.)
posted by FencingGal at 5:30 PM on May 3, 2022 [5 favorites]
I was thinking video games, but that involves a screen.
Maybe learn a card trick or coin trick or three? But that may require you to watch some tutorials.
posted by kschang at 5:31 PM on May 3, 2022
Maybe learn a card trick or coin trick or three? But that may require you to watch some tutorials.
posted by kschang at 5:31 PM on May 3, 2022
Build a hobby kit. Cars / Planes / Trains / Robots / Characters
posted by nickggully at 6:04 PM on May 3, 2022
posted by nickggully at 6:04 PM on May 3, 2022
Crossword puzzles.
posted by saturdaymornings at 6:19 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by saturdaymornings at 6:19 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]
Flip through a bunch of seed catalogs and bookmark your favorites, then obsessively plan next year's garden. Just me? Ok, that's fine.
posted by deludingmyself at 7:50 PM on May 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by deludingmyself at 7:50 PM on May 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
Singing! Check out the inimitable Cheryl Porter’s free warmups on YouTube (link to first one. Note: she uses the word “pray” at the end of the second 10-min warmup - I’m an atheist and usually feel off-put by things like this, but she’s so charming I can’t see it as anything more than an expression of care. She is delightful.).
If you like it, her courses are freaking awesome, and the price is a song for the amount of time I at least have spent using them for warmups and practice.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 8:02 PM on May 3, 2022 [6 favorites]
If you like it, her courses are freaking awesome, and the price is a song for the amount of time I at least have spent using them for warmups and practice.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 8:02 PM on May 3, 2022 [6 favorites]
Sing.
If you can't carry a tune, learn harmonic chanting.
posted by flabdablet at 9:14 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you can't carry a tune, learn harmonic chanting.
posted by flabdablet at 9:14 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pop bubble wrap
Time seriously will fly by and it can be very satisfying tried for a little bit if it's not your thing , just never mind.
posted by markbrendanawitzmissesus at 10:23 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
Time seriously will fly by and it can be very satisfying tried for a little bit if it's not your thing , just never mind.
posted by markbrendanawitzmissesus at 10:23 PM on May 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
Read good books (which ones are subjectively "good" of course is up to you). Time flies when you're involved in a good story whether it's fiction or non-fiction.
posted by TimHare at 11:15 PM on May 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by TimHare at 11:15 PM on May 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
If you have a surface at a suitable height:
- colouring books
- su doku and other puzzle books/magazines
- write something, or draw something, or paint something?
- play patience (solitaire) with half-size cards (or even smaller)
If you're limited to things that can be held up in front of your face:
- origami (if you keep your nails long enough to be able to make a sharp crease by running a fold between your thumbnail and forefinger)
- string figures
- kumihimo on a disc
- learn something on flashcards - you don't necessarily have to make them yourself; for instance, here's a set for learning Japanese syllabaries.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 2:45 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
- colouring books
- su doku and other puzzle books/magazines
- write something, or draw something, or paint something?
- play patience (solitaire) with half-size cards (or even smaller)
If you're limited to things that can be held up in front of your face:
- origami (if you keep your nails long enough to be able to make a sharp crease by running a fold between your thumbnail and forefinger)
- string figures
- kumihimo on a disc
- learn something on flashcards - you don't necessarily have to make them yourself; for instance, here's a set for learning Japanese syllabaries.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 2:45 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
Jigsaw puzzles. You can buy special tilted stands for them.
posted by yawper at 6:45 AM on May 4, 2022
posted by yawper at 6:45 AM on May 4, 2022
Get a lock picking kit, my parents got one for the family last Christmas and it's a huge hit with basically every person of every age!
posted by zibra at 7:04 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by zibra at 7:04 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
Lego kit
Paint by numbers
Diamond painting
Write a story or Zine
Needle felting ( kits can be found on Etsy or at yarn stores)
Crochet or knit a scarf, blanket, coasters
Miniature dollhouse kits
Collage
Learn to read tarot cards
There are some really good single player board games
Learn to solder and about electronics. Raspberry pi stem kits etc.
posted by ljesse at 7:57 AM on May 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
Paint by numbers
Diamond painting
Write a story or Zine
Needle felting ( kits can be found on Etsy or at yarn stores)
Crochet or knit a scarf, blanket, coasters
Miniature dollhouse kits
Collage
Learn to read tarot cards
There are some really good single player board games
Learn to solder and about electronics. Raspberry pi stem kits etc.
posted by ljesse at 7:57 AM on May 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
You might be able to do aluminum embossing using soda cans or tinfoil
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 8:14 AM on May 4, 2022
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 8:14 AM on May 4, 2022
My favourite for long flights and cramped conditions is doing crossword and puzzle books, or for a real trip, I love Raymond Smullyan's puzzle books - you don't have to keep reading/flipping pages as there's an intriguing puzzle that takes a long time to solve, but can be summed up in a few words, per page, so you can rest your eyes and distract your brain. I also love doing Viking knitting on a lucet to calm my nerves.
posted by MarianHalcombe at 10:17 AM on May 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by MarianHalcombe at 10:17 AM on May 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's amazing (in an annoying, sometimes painful way) how hand and wrist movement can trigger shoulder and back issues.
If that is not a problem, then consider learning things that work the lower arms. This is especially good if you can keep your eyes closed and your head and neck in a relaxed neutral position.
Be careful about overdoing it.
Sign language, semaphore (signals for aircraft and ships), orchestra conducting.
Many dance styles have hand positions and movements -- Polynesian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, Hawaiian, etc.
Physical therapy exercises that emphasize the fingers and wrists. Check with your medical team about any movements that are fast, strenuous, or include any weight.
Another activity would be learning to do things with your non-dominant hand.
Practice block letters, cursive and calligraphy. Practice writing in a different language. Turn letters into art (illuminated manuscripts from European Middle Ages). Practice copying different fonts.
posted by TrishaU at 11:13 AM on May 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
If that is not a problem, then consider learning things that work the lower arms. This is especially good if you can keep your eyes closed and your head and neck in a relaxed neutral position.
Be careful about overdoing it.
Sign language, semaphore (signals for aircraft and ships), orchestra conducting.
Many dance styles have hand positions and movements -- Polynesian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, Hawaiian, etc.
Physical therapy exercises that emphasize the fingers and wrists. Check with your medical team about any movements that are fast, strenuous, or include any weight.
Another activity would be learning to do things with your non-dominant hand.
Practice block letters, cursive and calligraphy. Practice writing in a different language. Turn letters into art (illuminated manuscripts from European Middle Ages). Practice copying different fonts.
posted by TrishaU at 11:13 AM on May 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Chess!
You can play games free at chess.com (if you want lessons, puzzles etc. the $29/year subscription is a good deal). Lichess.org is completely free and run by volunteers; but finding a partner to play with is not always instantaneous at Lichess
Someone already suggested crossword. If you like crossword, wordle and Times spelling bee (subscription required) can also be interesting for you.
posted by justlooking at 9:24 PM on May 5, 2022
You can play games free at chess.com (if you want lessons, puzzles etc. the $29/year subscription is a good deal). Lichess.org is completely free and run by volunteers; but finding a partner to play with is not always instantaneous at Lichess
Someone already suggested crossword. If you like crossword, wordle and Times spelling bee (subscription required) can also be interesting for you.
posted by justlooking at 9:24 PM on May 5, 2022
finding a partner to play with is not always instantaneous at Lichess
I'm flabdablet over there as well, and always up for correspondence (two day time limit per move) games, of which anybody can have any number going at once.
The Lichess web site is also quite phone friendly (hint: if you can't find a UI element you're accustomed to seeing on the desktop version, try rotating your phone to landscape mode) and also has an excellent training puzzle facility with puzzle positions lifted from real games.
posted by flabdablet at 6:57 PM on May 6, 2022
I'm flabdablet over there as well, and always up for correspondence (two day time limit per move) games, of which anybody can have any number going at once.
The Lichess web site is also quite phone friendly (hint: if you can't find a UI element you're accustomed to seeing on the desktop version, try rotating your phone to landscape mode) and also has an excellent training puzzle facility with puzzle positions lifted from real games.
posted by flabdablet at 6:57 PM on May 6, 2022
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Or a different yarn craft like crochet, knitting, or embroidery. Maybe prop your arms on pillows or a laptop table to be more comfortable and upright.
posted by rawralphadawg at 4:16 PM on May 3, 2022 [9 favorites]