Top tips for hobbies and pastimes while you are recovering
Taking time out to recover from treatment can be an opportunity to explore new interests and rediscover old ones. Engaging in hobbies may help as a distraction, to pass the time and can boost your mood, reduce stress, and support your overall well-being. Whether you’re looking for something creative, relaxing, mindful or mentally stimulating, these tips gathered from our Facebook members can help you make the most of your recovery time. Of course some activities will take more energy than others, and may be less appropriate at different stages of your recovery (for example, if you are at risk of infection or you are experiencing fatigue). Just go at your own pace and have fun.
Thank you to all our Facebook members who shared their tips.
Digital pastimes
I play lexulous (online game like scrabble) with 20 people from around the world. It's good to keep the mind active.
- Online painting
- Garden planning
- Online graphic design
- Online jigsaw puzzles
- Online puzzles such as Quordle, Wordle or Sudoku.
Pastimes at home
- Building Lego
- Cross stitching
- Diamond art
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Adult sticker books or colouring books
- Painting by numbers
- Learning Ukulele
- Knitting, crochet and sewing
- Yoga
- Baking
- Tidying cupboards
- Yahtzee and other board games
- Writing stories or poetry.
I’ve loved doing ancestry since treatment and retirement. Found out so many interesting stories and connected with family members I didn’t know I had.
Outdoor pastimes
Riding your bike . It doesn't matter how far. Just a gentle pedal.
- Walking – alone, with the dog or friends or both
- Park runs – or walk if you are unable to run
- Fishing
- Gardening
- Photography.
I like to make quilts, both hand and machine stitched. I made a king sized quilt during my six months of chemo.
And finally…… reading, listening to the radio, podcasts and music, or watching TV.
This information comes from our Facebook users and Support Meeting members, and is a list of suggestions from the community based on what they personally found useful and what they would like to pass on to others. This is not intended to be medical advice and is not a replacement for advice from your medical team. If you are looking for specific guidance for your own personal circumstances always consult your medical team.