Season of Recovery- Ways I am Improving My Mental and Physical Health After My Hospitalization

This week, I am going to share the things I have been doing since I have been home from the hospital to recover my physical and mental health. Some of these things I have been doing before the hospital as well, while others are new additions to help me get my physical and mental health back to a good place. Hopefully this list can serve as a guide to anyone recovering from a hospital stay.

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1: Therapy

While I am regularly in therapy, I am increasing the frequency of my therapy so that I can process all of the new life changes I am going through, including my new Crohn's Colitis diagnosis, breakup, final semester of my master's program, and preparing for the next steps after graduation, whatever that looks like. I have found that having a therapist who identifies as having a disability helps me feel less alone when talking about my experiences, and makes it easier to take the advice I am given because there is a sense of relatability.

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2: Hosting weekly game night

I am trying to keep community during this time when my energy is lower, and I am not able to drive or leave the house as often as I normally would. I love board games and am extroverted, so finding a way to see friends weekly while doing an activity I enjoy helps me maintain community while I recover. It doesn't have to be game night all the time, but games are my default party activity because I like them so much. While I like playing games in rounds of three with my family, I don't make my friends do that. Games I recommend for larger hangouts include Chameleon, Cards Against Humanity, and Mexican Train. Games I recommend for smaller hangouts include Sequence and Rummikub.

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3: Hobbies

I have written about hobbies before. I don't know what my hobbies are, and sometimes I fall into diving into my research and classes without taking a break. Then, when I am done and ready to take a break, I do other people's hobbies because I want to fit in or because I don't quite know what I want to get into. I am taking this time to explore hobbies that can also address my stress levels. Last week, I shared that I am getting a monthly craft box. There was a slight issue with them sending me the wrong box, so now I have two boxes this month. I am also looking into activities like retreats and clubs that would allow me to meet people with similar interests. I am also looking to find support groups for people with similar experiences with disability. While this blog is a great hobby, I want to find community-centered hobbies that connect me to past interests, including crystals, yoga, and other social activities. I am also looking for activities that are not food-centered, as I am not eating out at restaurants yet.

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4: Leave my house at least once a day

I am trying to leave my house at least once a day. This can include walking to the mailbox, going to a doctor's appointment, seeing friends, going shopping, or any activity that involves leaving the house. I was very isolated during my flare-up because I was stuck in bed, and I want to use the strength I am very slowly gaining to do something positive and productive. So far, my longest adventure was going to Ulta and standing in line. I did have to go home and immediately take a nap afterward, but I did get a nice moisturizer made with clean ingredients.

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5: Self-Care

My body looks very different now than it did before my Crohn's Colitis flare. I lost 20lbs, and I can feel how my body moves differently. I am getting into skin care and trying to use products with clean ingredients, such as copper peptide serums, OSEA products, and Farmacy products. I am also following a nutrition program, a supplement program with my functional health coach, and am starting to walk more, which are all versions of self-care to get me back to a healthy state. Combining that with my mental health journey will hopefully make me the best me I can be as I recover from my new diagnosis and break-up.

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Thank you for reading about the things I am doing to uplift myself as I recover from my hospitalization. If you have any questions or comments, please comment on the blog, reach out at @Anniekrollblog on Instagram or Facebook, or email me at Anniekrollblog@gmail.com. I hope to see you next week!