I am a teacher and this is my first week of summer vacation. For most of the school year I have been working four days a week and struggling with symptoms. Lots of my problems are related to vision and noise.

Of course, I thought as soon as school was out I would feel better. Not the case. I am an artist and art teacher, very visual, very difficult for me not to use my eyes too much. Driving short distances once a day is my limit.

It doesn't help that it's raining almost every day so it's tough to do a lot outside.

I know a lot of you suffer from eye issues. What can I do with my time that doesn't strain my eyes. Besides audio books. I'm home alone all day.can only go out to a " store or rest" once a day due to over stim...

I want to get this summer off to a good start. Any ideas are welcome. I need to stop thinking about all of the things that I want to do and can't.

Su seb

One idea I'd suggest is sign up for a yoga class. If you stay away from the more active (vinyasa) classes, the gentler forms shouldn't aggravate vision and noise sensitivity. I found physical benefits from the gentle stretching, and the meditative components have been beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety. I still have some vertigo on and off so I just avoid the one foot tree pose and other poses I'm not comfortable with. A good studio will work with people with a variety of physical challenges.

Hi,

I have a lot experience now at not using my eyes....I really enjoy CBC radio (I am in Canada) but talk radio can be really interesting. I also do restorative yoga and swim.

In the summer I sit out in the back in the sun (vitamin D is good) and just relax. I really enjoy cooking on the barbq and enjoy eating outside. I also find a lot of satisfaction in baking.

I started trying to call a different person every week (even if I do not know them very well) but it help to keep me connected to the outside world and to remind myself there are other things going on in the world even though it does not include me at this time.

PCS and the post traumatic vision syndrome can keep you extremely isolated and on top of that I am single with only teenagers to talk to so interaction with other adults is good.

Go for a walk once or twice a day, it can break up the day. I actually schedule out my days in a daytimer with housework, breaks, walks etc. It is important to get your rest and not to overdue.

If you find something else let me know....I am always looking for suggestions. I must admit I really am not interested in audio books but I am going to make an effort to try.

Have a great summer.

I went to an interesting art exhibit once at the Eitlejorg museum. It was a collection of bronze sculptures of wildlife by a blind artist. Beautiful work intended to be appreciated through touch as well as visual.

If art is what interests you, maybe there are new projects you can work at that rely more on tactile senses. I took up woodcarving after my accident. What a relaxing way to spend a few hours a week. I found it to be less visually stimulating than painting or pencil work. Even if something did not turn out as I had imagined, I did feel as if I had accomplished something on completing work. This can be a social activity if there is a woodcarvers group where you live.

A word of caution as you are looking for things to do: you might want to stay away from a trip to the aquarium. I thought going at an off time would be relaxing, but the strange lighting and architecture and the movement of the fish really threw me for a loop.

There are some art therapy programs that use macro skills, both visual and motor. My wife is going to look for the name of the organization that presented at our Brain Injury Support Group. It is called Art Without Boundaries www.artwithoutboundaries.org. It may give you some outreach opportunities, too.

My best to you.

I totally understand what you are going through.
I am a photographer...and PCS has sucked the joy out of something that was an amazing outlet and passion for me.

Looking through my lens is disorienting and post processing on my desktop computer aggravates PCS symptoms within minutes. (crazy full head pressure and vision stuff).

I have three kiddos, 4, 5, and 7. School gets out next week and I am determined to enjoy the summer. This happened to me this time last year and my whole summer was robbed.

I am now thinking of ways to interact with the kiddos doing fun things but things that arent overwhelming. I ALWAYS over due it!

For personal activities....I am thinking of other "hobbies"...as much as it saddens me to put photography on back burner.

I was doing to do a little jewelry making....ect....
All the things I pin on pinterest....try some things.
Prior to mommyhood, I was a Physical therapy asst. in the Army, then went on to get my BA in Fitness and wellness.

I really need to start taking my own advice be more active. I know it will help...but need that motivation.
Hard to get motivation from others when they dont understand what is going on in your head...its a tad bit isolating.

So short walks to start...yoga to help with stress and alignment...nutrition is a big one...
Summer is coming....getting in the water more. Its a great no impact form of exercise.

I plan to start back up my appts with the Neuro chiro....out of all the place I have been for medical care...
they are the ones that really know how to pinpoint things...and truly undertand what is going on our our heads and they help to retrain the brain.

Yeah, still have lots of symptoms..but not clutching my head in tears daily anymore. They proved me wrong and really did wonders.

I too am open to suggestions of things that may have helped any of you.

for me...to execute things...i think its going to all come down to organization and time management. Preparing ahead of time...setting alarms on phone..using calendar better. Be your own personal assistant!

I think it will help me be able to enjoy the little things a bit more.