Time Flies When You Do Nothing (Part 2 )

Part one is here.

Living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has its own challenges, but hobbies can be a good way for people with this disease to relax and feel better. Even though some hobbies can be turned into businesses, especially if you have COPD, the main focus should be on how hobbies can help you feel better. Mindful hobbies can help people with COPD control their symptoms and give them a sense of accomplishment.

Managing COPD through mindful hobbies

Hobbies are fun, and we enjoy doing them, but they shouldn’t be cash cows. Selling a product takes all the fun out of doing a hobby.

However, you can pay close attention to those who comment on your work. Your hobby could be a perfect birthday or holiday gift. My grandson continuously talks about the scarf his mother made him and how warm it is.

Finding joy in handmade gifts

A memory pops into my head and reminds me of something that happened in the past. Something that made me happy, and I wanted to hold on to that feeling. I began thinking of handmade gifts I received in the past.  

As a hairdresser and later as a college business instructor, I received many unique items. I loved the element of surprise and truly appreciated handmade gifts. Crafting or creating can help COPD patients focus on something positive and distract them from how they feel.

Embracing mindfulness

Remember that old saying, “Nothing lost, nothing gained”? Well, the time is now, and the place is here. Give some intentional consideration to practicing your hobby alongside mindfulness.

Mindfully doing hobbies is a way to get some perspective on your thoughts and emotions. By spending time on something creative, you can take your mind off the problems caused by COPD and put it on something good and satisfying. Setting goals for hobbies gives you a sense of purpose and helps you change how you think, which can be hard for people with chronic illnesses.

A hobby is a great way to strengthen your mental health, especially when you have a chronic illness like COPD. It doesn’t matter if you pick a social or solo hobby. Participating will boost your brain health.

My mother always said that hobbies helped to prolong her life, and at times, she felt it helped to minimize symptoms like shortness of breath.

Where, when and how?

Here are some suggestions to get you started on a new hobby.

• Search for a senior’s center in your area. They run low-cost activities and meet in person, and somethings they also offer online courses and activities.
• There are a plethora of groups and online courses that are just a click away. Pinterest and Canva are great places to start. Always look for the free courses first, because free is the best.
• Join courses at a retail place you are interested in, like a craft store or a hardware store. Don’t overlook your local library. There are often classes on a weekly basis, and some will be online or in person, where a craft is completed at each session. Search for an online platform that teaches seniors.

No matter how we do it, the mindful part of doing a craft is that it forces us to focus on something that is not negative. It allows us to elevate our moods when we successfully complete a task.

Everybody needs to feel this sense of accomplishment from time to time. It helps to ease our stress.

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.