Pleasurable activities reminder

Introduction

This leaflet is for anyone who may be going through a challenging time dealing with illness, its treatments, and consequences. Often when times are difficult or we feel unwell, we can find ourselves slowly stopping doing the things we enjoy. It can also be difficult to think about enjoyable activities we can do whilst staying in hospital. A lack of pleasurable activities can then begin to impact how we are feeling. When this happens, it can be helpful to restart doing a few things each day that we enjoy. Below is a list of types of pleasurable activities. Sometimes having such a list can be helpful in reminding you of things you have found pleasant in the past and may prompt you to think about what you can try now.

Creative

• Writing (poems, prose, diary)
• Drawing, colouring or painting
• Model-making
• Knitting or sewing
• Planning gardening
• Thinking about home improvements and looking for inspiration on social media, such as Pinterest.
• Writing out or researching recipes

Stimulating

• Crosswords, Sudoku or other puzzles
• Jigsaws
• Reading books or articles
• Listen to a Podcast
• Play cards
• Playing games on your phone or iPad.
• Searching the internet about things that interest you or researching a topic, such as family history
• Read inspirational quotes, poems or stories

Recreational

• Do some online shopping
• Planning or researching a walk or cycle route
• Planning or researching a visit to the countryside
• Planning or researching a visit to a place of interests, such as a museum or a library
• Planning or researching a holiday
• Listening to music or the radio
• Playing a board game
• Setting a goal, and making plans
• Watching TV, sport or your favourite film
• If you are in hospital, you can ask about the possibility of a visit from the “Pets as Therapy” (PAT) dog.
• If you are in hospital, you can ask about the possibility of using the Virtual Reality goggles.

Self-care

• Have a shower or a bath
• Take care of physical appearance. For example, wash and/or brush your hair
• Wear comfortable clothing or something that makes you feel good
• Wear your favourite perfume or fragrance
• Take a nap
• Eat or drink something you find delicious
• Give yourself a hand massage
• Practice relaxation or breathing exercises
• Listen to your favourite sounds, such as rain or birdsong.
• If you are in hospital, ask your family or friends to bring you something comforting from home. For example, a soft blanket.

Social

• Seeing, calling or texting a friend or family member
• Planning a party
• Writing a letter
• Buying a card for someone
• Sharing a joke
• Buying a present for someone
• Chatting on internet social networks such as Facebook
• Having a good conversation

If you want help to think of other possible pleasurable activities, you can speak with the person who gave you this leaflet.

Contacts and further information

If you require further information please leave a message for:

Dr Katie Byron

Principal Clinical Psychologist in Palliative Care
Box 63
Elsworth House
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 2QQ

Tel: 01223 274404 (internal: 274404)

Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00