General What Have You Done For You Today, As A Supporter.

[Angus McGee]

It has been recommended that we can care for our loved ones better when we give ourselves a break, and go do something we like. Personally, sleep seems to be one of the only things I can do to escape. Not that I sleep excessively or anything, but every waking hour I'm busy either working, or taking care of kids one way or another.

It's not that my wife isn't the same way, but our schedules are so tied up with the responsibilites of life, that there is no "me" time.

I do have two motorcycles in the garage, and I'd love to get out on them as much as possible. Living in the Pacific Northwest, the weather isn't always condusive to riding, but when it is nice outside, that's where I'd like to be.

Unfortunately, because of the above mentioned schedule, the only time I do ride these days is to work and back.

I'm planning on taking a Friday off here in the next few weeks, and just taking off. I'll head out to the coast or something. I feel so much better after a long ride. I wish I could take off for two or three days, but that's just not possible at this point.

What do you all do?

 

[amethist]

Honest answer to your question is,

"What ever we can, when ever we can"

It is difficult, and must be even harder when you have small children too. We have 2 grandchildren, and do not get to see them as often as we should be able to do. When we do have them, it has to be one at a time, unless an emergency arises, then its all hands on deck so to speak., with my younger daughter helping out.

Even when we do just have one of them, plans are always set in place to take them home at short notice, just in case. But they both understand as best they can at such a young age, that granddad is ill, and sometimes he has to sleep more than they do. They actually think it is funny if he goes to bed before them.

I do take days out when I can, but have not had a complete break away from all this in almost 4 years.

If you do get the opportunity to get away on your bike, grab it and run with it.

We are sadly in the process of selling our sports tourer, as hubby can no longer ride it. It is something I miss too, but as PTSD changes so many things, you sometimes just have to go with the changes and be thankful for what you have left.

Amethist

 

[Angus McGee]

Wow. That's quite a statement. I have a sports tourer too. '09 Kawasaki Concours14. Sorry yours needs to be sold. My Mrs. never was interested in my m-cycles. Part of the abuse she suffered as a child was being forced to ride double. I'd love for her to ride with me, but I would never insist.

 

[amethist]

As biker, you may be interested in this thread. there are a few of us on here. :D

[DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/bikes.13204/[/DLMURL]

Just something else that can take your mind away from PTSD, even just for a short time.

Amethist

 

[May1321]

I wake up early and go for my runs. Sometimes if I don't get to sleep early because of the late night phone calls with my sufferer, I force myself to go in the evenings even if I have to push through it and bare the weather (don't know why but I can usually tolerate cold and bad weather better in the mornings when I first wake up). It's a great time, like you on your bikes, to just listen to my music and push myself. My therapist actually told me to exercise 45 minutes 4 times a week... I'm averaging 3 but I also remember to give myself compliments for just getting out there even if the run isn't that good. Reminding myself that I am worth it is helpful for the confidence especially when I tell myself at the same time I accomplish something FOR myself :)

 

[wife of]

Today it is lunch...

All on my own here today so I'm treating myself and going out for a slap up lunch..

 

[amethist]

2 afternoons a week I go to my loacal carers office and man/women ;) the phones for them.

All voluntary, but boy does it do me good.

 

[sisu]

I have a few things that I like to do for "me"....bubble baths, mani/pedi, lunch with girlfriends, window shopping, ice cream for dinner or go see a movie all by myself. I should take up May1321's idea of running though - it would be a lot healthier for me... :D

 

[Tifanee]

Chocolate and massages for everyone!:laugh: A weekly visit through the thrift stores sets me straight, even if I don't buy anything.

 

[Pale Warrior]

I study for my masters and do part time work supporting profoundly disabled and challenging children.

Weather permitting, I garden and paint with water colours.

Every 6-8 weeks I go out with a long distance friend. We have lunch and drink gin till we fall off our chairs giggling.

I sometimes bake cakes.

 

[LizardViolet]

I read novels, and watch movies and TV shows on Hulu and Netflix. Escape into someone else's story is good. Sometimes I hang out with my husband. I love my garden. I like my work. I was exercising regularly but have gotten away from it. Slowly getting back to it. And I have friends I enjoy talking and spending time with.

 

[Nicolette]

Not enough!!! :eek::speechless: