[BlackPup]

I have recently become unemployed and find myself with time on my hands. What kinds of things do you do with your spare time?

[ChristySpirals]

It is so annoying all this time on your hands...I watch a lot of tv, I go for walks, shopping, treat myself to things once a week (sometimes more lol). I guess basically whatever floats your boat...if you're into something, go with it

[Confusedinomicon]

I cook myself food. (Trying to make more healthier choices)

I also watch shows, talk to people online, talk to people in RL or hang out with my cat. Sometimes I read too...or do house chores if I'm bored enough.

[Scottius]

Go on long nature walks. Study a subject that has always interested me. Exercise. Visit coffee shops and talk to people. Go bowling with my church group. Clean the apartment. Do the dishes and the laundry. Learn new recipes. Watch Shakespeare on video. Go bicycling. Read about my illness (Bipolar 1 with Schizoaffective Tendencies and Psychosis). Hang out with my family. Get a massage.

[Victoria'smom]

Volunteer if you can, read, write, take a free online course. Go sit in the library, do anything that gets you out of your house and away from screens for five hours. If your looking for employment spend as many hours as you worked looking for a job.

[Resident Bipolar]

It can be difficult not to become bored when not employed...but there ARE things that you can enjoy which take up time.

• Reading - Not only can reading by enjoyable, but it is proven to increase mental stamina...and if you're reading some autobiographies or other factual books, you could slowly begin to learn so much about the world; people and other areas of interest. You don't just have to read books either: think of something you want to learn more about, and use Google to search for it.
  
• Watching TV - Though I don't actively encourage spending all day watching TV (for reasons such as weight gain and eye strain), you should allow yourself 3-5 hours TV time a day. You don't want to watch too much TV, but upto about 5 hours in 24 isn't too much of a bad thing.
  
• Exercising - I'm not saying you should do really intense workouts, but going for a half an hour walk each day can both improve your mood and give you something to do - especially if you have a way of listening to music whilst you're out. Exercise helps a number of glands release a number of chemicals & hormones which improve your mood, plus the sense of accomplishment after a workout or a nice long walk can be a very good thing.
  
• Cooking & Baking- Fun; distracting; time-consuming. Enough said!
  
• Listening to Music - Listen to music you enjoy, especially music that means something to you or lifts your mood. You can read whilst listening to music quietly in the background, or even cook whilst listening to music.
  
• Doing household chores - I know. They're normally hardly fun, at all, but household chores are time consuming and doing them can be a form of exercise: I've already mentioned the benefits of exercise on your mood. Polishing; dusting; hoovering; washing up; etc can all count. No housework left to do? Try rearranging things, maybe even repaint one of the rooms in your house.
  
• Challenge Yourself - Set yourself a challenge to achieve every day or week. Make a summer project. Try something new.

RB ♥

[bluemountains]

Thanks for the post, Blackpup. I, too, will find myself unemployed after next week. I asked for less hours and was told that if I couldn't work full-time I wouldn't be offered a contract for the upcoming school year-which I wasn't. Even though I will have lots of chores to do, it is nice to read the suggestions that help to improve physically and mentally.
Bluemountains

[Miss Laura]

I play Badminton once a week and also Swim once or twice a week. I joined a mental health organisation so I can learn new skills, meet people etc. Also awaiting my interview for volunteering

[Moreta]

I watch TV and chat all day. I'm hoping to start exercising when I get my back pain under control. Other than that, I do some chores throughout the day, play with my cats, and of course spend about 1 hr a day looking for jobs.

[Anneinside]

Knitting, quilting, reading, watching TV, playing computer games, volunteer 2x a week for 5 hours, go to clubhouse for people with severe and pervasive mental illness and play cards, spend time with friends, exercise, dr/tdoc appointments, spend time with the dog, errands, clean house, jigsaw puzzles....

[BlackPup]

Thanks for all the great suggestions
Christyspirals: what kinds of things do you treat yourself to?
Confusedinomicon: I'm trying to eat more healthily too. I have cooking a real meal on my to do lists - I'm not a very good cook so I guess thats something I can learn now I have time!
Scottius: I've started taking long walks by the lake with my dog - its really great!
Miguelsmom: I think I'll look into the library- good idea, though I only spend about 10 hours a week job searching - any more and its just depressing...
Resident Biopolar: Thanks for all your ideas. I like listening to music while I'm out walking it makes the walk go faster. I haven't tried baking yet - think I might do it on Tuesday so I can give away the food at bible study group rather than eating ALL of it.
bluemountains: sorry that you are in this position too Glad this thread could help you though
Miss Laura: good luck with the volunteering interview.
Moreta: hope your back pain improves really soon - I had a bad back a few years ago and it was the worst thing ever. walking and gentle stretches are meant to be good for back pain - take it easy and start slowly and work up to longer walks etc
Anneinside: I'll have to get the knitting out again, I've never tried quilting but have done some sewing.

I have lots of tidying to do this week, I'm going to cook at least 1 new thing, I'm reading lots of books (some fun, some serious), walking when its not raining, catching up with friends... now I have all your great ideas to try too

[ChristySpirals]

I heard that volunteering is really good for a person and that ppl that volunteer actually live longer because it makes a person feel like they have a purpose in life. I heard this on the radio yesterday.

[BuggsBunny]

I used to volunteer at the hospital 2x a week. I ran the ICU waiting room. It really made me feel needed, because people there were in crisis, and I was able to supply their needs, and answer question, and generally take care of them.

Hospital volunteering is very rewarding, and it makes you feel part of a group.

[FitPrk3]

I always am listening to music, all the time, not kidding. Then when I can, get on my bike and ride some BMX. I currently am waiting for Guinness World Records to get back to me bc I will "hopefully" soon hold a Guinness record. When I'm not on my bike or listening or playing music, I am airburshing, or doing some kind of art. I love working with my hands. I also do alot of metal projects on the side that I love doing. alot of you are right, if you are into something and are passsionate about it then go for it and do anything you can to enjoy it as much as possible.

[cocoabeans]

You all make me wish I could quit my job and never go to work again!

[BlackPup]

cocoabeans: sorry you are not enjoying your work - I know what thats like. I hope things improve and you can enjoy what you do. I am still looking for work - just looking for ways to enjoy life while not working
Fitprk3: what are you going for guinness world record in? Music or BMX
Bugs and Christyspirals: volunteering sounds like a good idea but I think I'll try to get a paid job first - I really need the money sooner rather than later!!!!

I went to bible study, made 3 cards and went for a 5 km run/walk today.

[FitPrk3]

Black pup

I am waiting for Guinness because of a record I broke on my bike. I had to hop on the rear tire 129 times without setting the front end down once. I had to film it all, have witness release statements signed and filled out, same with video and photo release forms. It was a long 8 months in the works, and an idea that took me over 5 years to accomplish. No thanks to my girlfriend, well, as of two days she was my girlfriend. Shes leaving bc she can't deal with me being Bipolar. Seems that a trend in my life lately. Can't find any good people to stcik around and if I do find people that wanna stick around they aren't the people I need in my life.

My whole world was flipped upside down the other day when she told me she was leaving. Ive been married and divorced once already for the same reason and I'm only 26. Yes I said 26. I know its young but its happened and its life. Its already happened and theres nothing I can do to change it.

[moremi]

Gardening is a love of mine. I love to make the landscaping look beautiful, and watch my flowers grow and bloom. This year I got some tomatoe plants and love taking care of them. My husband said next year he may make me a garden out back. Which I would absolutely love.
I also like to go to the gym and swim with my kids for an hour or two. Exercise is great and helps mood and sleep. I dont sleep well except on the nights i go swimming.
Lately I have been doing nothing, seem to be depressed again. I need to get out and walk or something but its like 105 degrees here in Indiana. Too hot for me at the moment.
Other things I do are play with my animals. Go outside with my dog for a little while. When Im stuck on the couch depressed my cat seems to know and she always lingers around waiting for me to play with her.

[Lauru]

Sadly, I do nothing. I sleep most the day so that I don't do anything bad to myself. But I'm just depressed. I have nothing in me to do anything. Everyone else has given you some great ideas.

[RobertDark]

I listen to music as much as I can. Headphones are always on, they are on right as I type this.

Along with that I like to watch TV, hang out with friends or fam on occasion, try new restaurants, take a long walk. The thing I love above all else is spending time with my girlfriend. We have a ton of fun together no matter what we are doing.

[Big Mama]

I've been at home 15 years, (kids) , I went to work for 8 -9 months and now I'm back at home again. There's no place like home. After the initial shock of lack of human contact You find a place deep inside that keeps you busy. I write, read, play w/ my horse and cat. Visit. Take elderly folks out and visit with them. I have a few neighbors who go weeks with out seeing a single person. I can help. I have add so I wander around alot losing and misplacing things and trying to find where they really go before I lose them again. Fun Huh. The excitement is to great to bear. NOT. But I just do what I do at a slower more relaxed pace. I take in every moment the sunrise. The birds, the smell of hay, The smell of rain. After returning to work I missed the oppertunity to ponder the small things and live and love in the moment. I'm glad I'm back at home and get to appriciate all the small things god gives us.

[sjane23]

I just stay in bed all day because I can't face another day hopefully when my meds kick in ill be more sociable and less depressed and psychotic

[Clinte89]

Sjane23 sorry to hear your havin such difficulty right now. But keep your head up I once was in your situation and once I got on the right medication things became worth doing and I became way less psychotic, Im just saying keep the faith in your pdoc that things will turn around because sooner than later they will although it seems to take forever.

To the Op I became unemployed because I couldn't stand working where I was anymore so no I look for jobs online, and work around the house all day, I also have gotten back into flying Rc aircraft. I would recommend this hobby for anyone as it makes you think and is a great activity.

[sjane23]

Thanks clinte89 I'm glad to hear you've found the right meds and have a better quality of life I love hearing success stories they give me hope

[Clinte89]

Anytime i just want you to know it does get better.