Being Bored and "Missing Out"

There you are in your hospital bed, looking at the sunshine outside, feeling bored, and wondering what all your friends are doing at school. It's hard to be stuck indoors, especially when you don't have all of your personal things to help keep you occupied. You may worry that you're missing out on all the fun (after-school activities, parties, and athletic events) and that everyone will forget you. They won't, though. To pass the time and keep yourself busy, try the following:

*Make the hospital your "home away from home."
Bring your pillow and favorite blanket, cozy pajamas, socks, a bathrobe, and some slippers or other footwear that's comfortable. Ask your family to bring your favorite books, your mail, CDs, board games, pictures of your pets, or anything else that reminds you of home and of your friends.

*Write in a journal. If you don't already use a journal, you might want to start because you'll have lots of free time to write.

*Display familiar things. Having pictures, cards, flowers, and gifts that you receive while you're in the hospital in plain view will help make your room more comfortable.

*Check out the activity rooms or lounges. Activity rooms often have toys, games, movies, reading materials, and sometimes arts and crafts projects.

*Meet new friends. Being in the hospital can be a good time to make new friends-you can meet a lot of cool people just like you who also happen to be patients

© From Young People and Chronic Illness: True Stories, Help, and Hope by Kelly Huegel.
©1998 Free Spirit Publishing, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.