So, what to do while recovering from surgery? How can you beat the boredom of downtime? Yes, your body needs time to rest and heal, but that doesn’t mean your recovery time has to feel dull or unproductive. It can be a unique opportunity to tackle those things you’ve been putting off or simply enjoy activities that bring you joy.
To be clear, not every person will have the same amount of time off for recovering from surgery. The length of recovery time depends on the type of surgery, your age, health condition, and how smooth things go. For example, those who have robotic-assisted surgery often have shorter recovery times, while some more invasive procedures require longer recovery.
No matter the length of your recovery time, there are plenty of ways to beat the boredom while you heal.
What to Do While Recovering from Surgery
Whether it’s organizing photos, catching up on favorite TV shows, trying your hand at crafts, or tidying up your space, these activities can keep you engaged without overdoing it. Let’s look at some fun and engaging ways to make your recovery time more enjoyable and productive while still honoring your body’s need for rest.
Organize and Declutter
It’s said that a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. But, how many of us put off tackling those projects that require us to organize and declutter? It could be because it feels overwhelming or seems like it will take too long. Depending on the length of your recovery or your limitations, you can break it down, spacing it out so as to not overwhelm you.
How to organize and declutter during recovery:
Note: Avoid any physical overexertion, even small tasks should be balanced with rest.
To-Do’s and Paperwork
Not only can you organize and declutter while you are recovering from surgery, but how about tackling that long to-do list and often endless paperwork that you never seem to get to.
How to tackle your to-do’s and paperwork during recovery:
Sharpen Your Skills
What happens when you’ve exhausted your list of tv shows to catch up and nothing else catches your eye. What to do while recovering from surgery while also not feeling bored? This is the perfect time to sharpen your skills and keep your mind active.
How to sharpen your skills during recovery:
Get Creative
Keeping your mind sharp during recovery doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Getting creative is a wonderful way to engage your brain, express yourself, and lift your spirits. Creative activities also help reduce stress, improve focus, and bring a sense of accomplishment, all valuable benefits as you heal.
How to get creative during recovery:
Rest, Recharge, and Reconnect
Recovery isn’t just about physical healing, it’s also a chance to rest, recharge, and reconnect. It can allow you the time to slow down, focus on yourself, and enjoy simple pleasures.
How to rest, recharge, and reconnect during recovery:
While you’re focusing on rest and recovery, remember that mental health is just as important. Recovery can limit your activities and social interactions, which may affect your emotional well-being. Prioritize good sleep, gentle movement, nourishing meals, time outside, and staying connected with loved ones.
For more tips on supporting your mental health every day, check out my full blog: Mental Health Matters – 5 Ways to Support Your Emotional Well-being.
Doctor’s Orders
While all of the things above are helpful to get you through your time off from surgery, they’re not the most important part. The most important part is following your doctor's orders.
Common post-surgery instructions from your doctor will include, but are not limited to:
Activity: This is the most important. No lifting, pushing and pulling. If you do things too quickly, you can disrupt your incisions and cause them to open, internally or externally.
Diet: Depending on the surgery you’re having, you want to follow the dietary instructions. This is especially important if your surgery involves the GI tract or something on the intestines. It’s crucial to not eat too much too fast, which could lead to complications.
Hydration: Make sure you’re staying hydrated. Constipation is super common after surgery and being hydrated can help prevent that. In addition, using a stool softener as needed.
By following your doctor’s instructions to a “T,” you are doing your part to ensure a safe and successful recovery.
Be Patient
The first thing to remember about what to do while recovering from surgery is to be patient. Your primary job is to heal and get better. Anything else you accomplish is a bonus. Whether your recovery is long or short, this is your chance to rest, recharge, and catch up on the little things taking up space in your mind or simply do something fun just for you.
Providing you care beyond the visit ~
Dr. Cindy Geocaris