4 Hobbies to Make You Happy After Surgery
By Adam Pick on November 20, 2014
Now is the time to maximize your longevity and invigorate your vitality by finding activities that nourish your soul. As you recover from surgery, ask yourself what you’ve always wanted to do or what you want to do more of. There are plenty of hobbies that don’t require too much physical exertion and can be great for stimulating your mind.
Whether you want to make great memories by sharing these activities with your family or want to find some time for yourself, this is your life, and it’s time to live it.
Music Therapy
When music is in the air, the health benefits include elevated happiness, improved blood vessel function and stress relief, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. While you are recovering, surrender yourself to the rhythm of the music that fills your soul. Grab your dancing shoes and get lost in the music at your favorite artist’s concert. Take your spouse’s hand and twirl ’em around the living room to a crooning Frank Sinatra. Kick back on your couch with earbuds. You can even pick up a musical instrument and learn to play it. Just do whatever musical activity makes you happy.
Hobbies like this keep your mind and hands busy, relieving you of pain and boredom. Infuse music in your soul to experience the countless health benefits.
Best in Show
Going to the theater is a unique experience that helps people get out of their heads and into another world. Willem Defoe states, “Great theater is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to.”
Ignite your passion for the arts by attending a Broadway production or local theater. Get dressed up, take in a nice pre-show dinner and walk arm-in-arm with your significant other into a grandiose environment full of limitless possibilities. Whether you prefer a musical, ballet, opera or symphony, you’ll delight in the experience. If you prefer a more intimate, less commercial show, take in a play at a smaller venue.
Museum Field Trip
If you want to experience something other than music… art, history and science museums also engage, educate and inspire visitors of all ages. Not only do they fill your free time, but they also make you smart and give you something interesting to talk about. Additionally, you can learn more about your community and learn about other cultures and explore past worlds.
You can search online or in your local newspaper for new museums to visit. Don’t be afraid to try something different and let yourself be immersed. If you want to do something big, travel to Washington DC to visit the Smithsonian or go to New York to see the artwork in MoMA.
Backyard Harvest
Once you can exercise at a moderate intensity level, gardening is a great therapeutic activity. Michigan State University claims that nature helps people find tranquility and healing. The CDC also explains that the physical activity can help to prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and depression. Digging your hands in the dirt to plant seeds that will bloom into flowers is life happening before your eyes, and cultivating your garden can recharge and uplift you as you create a closer relationship with Mother Nature.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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Debbie Mullin says on November 21st, 2014 at 11:53 pm |
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Photography is also a great hobby to enjoy during recovery time. I “chased” butterflies through my back yard with my camera and have some beautiful photos. I also captured the changes in the leaves as the seasons changed. You can stay as close to home as you want, or travel to other locations to get great shots, however you’re feeling at the time! |
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Adam says on November 22nd, 2014 at 12:19 pm |
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Awesome hobbie Debbie!!! Great idea. And, I love the butterfly picture. Did you take that during your recovery? |
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Debbie Mullin says on November 22nd, 2014 at 9:48 pm |
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Thanks Adam! I took that one prior to surgery if I remember correctly. I have more in the camera that I took afterwards. I’ve got a framed arrangement of some of my flower and butterfly pics in my house 🙂 I love spending time with my camera! |
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