Dear Centaured~
OK, so back from surgery? No doubt uncomfortable or in pain, in a bed that restricts your movement even if it is not meant to - probably too hard to walk to a window or the toilet
I found concentrating on what was round me, the nurses down the corridor, the other person in the other bed in the ward, half hidden by a short curtain that came down to bed level and no lower. All of it simply reinforced how I felt and it was the same old same old.
I tried -and had some success, in imagining me away from it all, almost touring hte world, lookng for somewhere that appealed. I've forgotten if I've already told you about my mental retreat - if not let me know and I'll bore you silly with it:)
The thing is it helped, after all the hospital was a 360 degree reminder of all that was unpleasant and hopeless, a monument to things that hurt and never seemed to change. Full of abrupt changes as a nurse or doctor came in, gave pils, took readings and vanished again.
So can I suggest, even if it seems silly, you try the same thing. Look around the whole world in your mind's eye, see what you can find. Then imagine it harder, fill in the detail.
It's not meant ot be a substitute for life, but a legitimated distraction for a while.
I remember a rather plush dentist I used to go to, when I lay back in the chair and he was about to do something I thought was unpleasant I'd look up at his ceiling, where there was a large picture painted on it, and that distracted me. In fact I looked at it harder during his more strenuous efforts. Seemed to help.
It may not be a big thing but I found every little bit helped.
Croix
