If you’re on crutches for a few weeks after a hip or knee operation or an accident then we know how quickly the novelty wears off and boredom sets in. Here’s our tips on how to stay sane:
1. Solve the carrying problem to regain independence
Not being able to carry anything is a big frustration on crutches. Making a cup of tea and then having to drink it next to the kettle. Your book or magazine or ipad is always in the wrong room. The phone is usually out of reach….
The Hopper is the simple way to keep useful items with you and to transport drinks whilst you’re on crutches. It was designed for crutch users and we suggest you get one asap! It is available here.
2. Reading
Reading is a great escape and a nice way to pass the time. What better opportunity to get some classics under your belt or investigate some great new literature. Or maybe a new genre? Poetry is perfect if your painkillers are bestowing on you a short attention span.
A Kindle is a good friend right now as you can download what you want straight away. Amazon will deliver super fast, or give your local bookshop a call – those guys are all about great customer service and will deliver or even drop stuff round if you ask nicely!
Here are some of our slightly off beat recommendations:
Classics
Catch 22 – Joseph Heller. A savagely funny satire on the folly of war.
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood. Amazing sci-fi feminist classic.
The Selfish Gene – Richard Dawkins. Non fiction – a genius’s interpretation of Natural Selection.
The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams. It’ll make you laugh, we promise.
Something Slightly Newer
Weathering – Lucy Wood. Beautiful ghost story.
The Murdstone Trilogy – Mal Peet. Not a trilogy. A hilarious swipe at fantasy genre writing.
Under the Skin – Michel Faber. Super imaginative creepy alien thriller. Will stay with you for a while.
Playing to the Gallery – Grayson Perry. Absorbing explanation of how the art world works and why you should care.
Poetry
The Wood is Sweet – John Clare. Heartstoppingly beautiful poems about the countryside from the Nineteenth Century.
Magazines
Remember those? Worth thinking about a subscription to a special interest magazine which you enjoy or you might even find a new hobby!
3. TV
OK we’ve put it off until now but no doubt you’re planning to devour hours of box sets on Netflix or similar streaming channels. If you are buying on demand the cost can quickly rack up, so think about the traditional alternative – DVDs! They may take a couple of days to be delivered , but DVD box sets tend to be much cheaper than streaming and the choice is truly staggering. It’s worth branching out into some international titles, although we would always recommend the original dialogue with subtitles (easy to choose in the menu) as the dubbing always seems to be awful!
Avoid daytime TV which will sink you into the trough of despondency and make you feel like a skiver. Instead search out some of the awesome classic films that are shown on some of the freeview channels during the day or in the middle of the night.
4. Craft and Cooking
Cooking’s not too bad on crutches – stand on your good leg, stuff the ingredients into The Hopper and off you go. Online shopping is so easy now and supermarket delivery drivers are generally very helpful in getting things to the right place. There’s nothing better than a homemade cake!
Crafts really help to pass the time. You could try painting, sewing or just about anything else. There are so many ideas online and crafting tends to be good value. Everything is available online and there are quite often discounts on starter kits to let you try new hobbies. You might find something you love enough to keep it up when you’re back off crutches.
Alternatively jigsaws can be very therapeutic (provided all the pieces are in the box).
5. Admin (yes, really)
This is a great time to check your subscriptions and make sure there aren’t any direct debits slipping out that you had forgotten about. You can also make sure you’re not overpaying for utilities or insurance and do your tax return. All the stuff you NEVER want to do at weekends. You can do it now …. maybe!