Here’s a List of 50 Distractions and Things To Do Instead of Worry About Your Flares

I worry. It’s just who I am as a person. I worry about things that happened 10 years ago, and I worry about things that happened 10 minutes ago. It is what it is. Call me a “Nervous Nelly,” if you will.

When I have a flare, boy do I worry. I stress about the flare and how I’m feeling, but you know what? That really isn’t good. Stress, anxiety, and depression can all make flares occur! I worry because I flare, and I flare because I worry.

BUT NO MORE!

Here’s a list of 50 distractions and things to do instead of worry

1. Read a book
2. Make a playlist of songs
3. Watch a movie you've never seen before
4. Take a bath
5. Write in a journal
6. Pen the next great novel
7. (If flares aren’t affecting mobility) Take a walk outside and clear your thoughts
8. Go to the park and people watch
9. Sit at the window from your home and people watch
10. Go to the mall and people watch
11. Write a poem
12. Make a cup of tea
13. Take pictures on your phone and edit them using apps
14. Scroll through Instagram/TikTok
15. Bake
16. Crochet or knit
17. Paint your feelings
18. Solve a Rubix Cube (without looking up an algorithm, you silly goose)
19. Take a shower
20. Do a sudoku
21. Cook
22. Do a puzzle
23. Meditate
24. Do embroidery
25. Binge watch a new tv series
26. Call a family member and just tell them you love them
27. Text a friend and catch up
28. Make memes about how you’re feeling
29. Indoor/Outdoor planting and gardening
30. Paint your nails
31. Clean out the refrigerator
32. Play video games
33. Clean out a closet
34. Go through old clothes and give what you don’t need to charity
35. Binge watch your all-time favorite tv show
36. Make boards on Pinterest
37. Listen to podcasts
38. Start a podcast!!
39. Watch YouTube videos
40. Start a YouTube channel!
41. Go through old pictures (highly recommend listening to music that makes you feel nostalgic while doing so)
42. Watch your all time favorite movie
43. Listen to an audiobook (You can get these, magazines, and books for free with your library card on the apps Libby or Overdrive!)
44. Put on a face mask (it’s called self-care, sweetie, look it up)
45. Do some crafting
46. Scroll through different countries top charts on Spotify and discover some new music (Italy has some totals bops)
47. Take a nap
48. Draw a picture
49. Color in a coloring book (seriously, they’re not just for kids)
50. Scroll through articles and recipes on HSDisease.com

But in all seriousness, worrying will just make your hidradenitis suppurativa and mental health worse. I know it’s so much easier said than done, but try and find some good distractions to take your mind off the flare and the negative thoughts you’re feeling.

Also remember it’s completely not your fault and you’re not alone! Your feelings are completely valid and if you want to take a nap and disassociate with society for a little, you do you! This disease really sucks and we have to try and find positive distractions that can make dealing with it a little easier.

Comment down below your favorite flare distraction!