Text Box: Here are some examples of indoor activities for you to try with friends: BINGO- Always a classic!. Give small prizes if desired. POETRY CLUB- Read, discuss or write poetry. COMMUNITY OUTREACH- Help out with different charity programs in the community. Make items for children's groups. Collect food or clothing for the needy. ARTS & CRAFTS- Try painting, ceramics, pottery and crafts of all types! Paint-by-numbers kits for adults are available at local stores. HOSPITALITY- Create a circle of friends to visit others who may be lonely or in need of a friend. Help with letters, phone calls, etc. POPULAR BOARD GAMES- Try checkers, backgammon, Scrabble, dominoes, Wheel of Fortune, Pictionary, dice & Connect4. SPELLING BEE- Quiz each other on random words and then continue to make them more challenging. Offer small prizes if desired. TRIVIA- Use a variety of topics such as holidays, presidents, nursery rhymes, or states & capitols. EXERCISE- Start with simple routines that that get one’s body moving. SING-ALONGS- Ask people what songs and styles of music they like. CARDS- Try Uno, blackjack, crazy eights, old maid and poker. INDOOR VOLLEYBALL- Use a simple string for a net and a Nerf ball. ART - Make this as simple as you want it to be; you may be surprised at some of the talent you discover. RUBBER STAMPING- Make cards or keepsakes. PHOTOGRAPHY- Delight in getting dolled up for a photo. Make a big photo album. BRAGGING TIME- Have everyone meet to brag about children, grandchildren, accomplishments, pets, etc. FAMILY TREE- Stimulate people’s minds by encouraging them to remember their family heritage. CONTESTS- Be creative! These can be a lot of fun. GAMES- Play bean bag toss, indoor golf, basketball, etc. CURRENT EVENTS- Read some articles from the paper and discuss them with one another. The group might also enjoy Ann Landers or Dear Abby columns. You may want to provide coffee and/or donuts. FACIALS- Make your own products or buy from the store. Enhance the setting with light music and fragranced candles. PIZZA PARTY- Purchase some pizzas to bake at the grocery store or make your own. You can use English muffins to make mini-pizzas. DEMONSTRATION- Invite people to show off a skill or talent. CANDLE MAKING- Try a range of techniques from quite simple to very elaborate (depending on what people want to do). JEWELRY CLEANING- Have a jeweler come in to clean jewelry or do it yourself with simple cleaning products. SHOE SHINE AFTERNOON TEA- Enjoy this fancy treat by providing varieties of tea and homemade cookies. SPORTS GAMES- Gather sports fans together and watch the games on TV. Provide simple snacks such as chips and pretzels. PETS- Spend time with animals. This can be very therapeutic! CROSSWORDS/WORD SEARCH- Buy large-print crossword books if needed. People can use them in a group or individually . JIGSAW PUZZLES- Get some puzzles to use with groups. They can be easy or hard. COMPUTERS- Give simple lessons and hands-on time if you have a computer available. PEN PALS- Pair people up with pen pals to strengthen their social support system. JOKES & RIDDLES- Tell a few jokes to make others laugh, hold a comedy club. GARDENING- Work with terrariums, rock gardens, herb gardens or indoor plants. AROMATHERAPY- Purchase kits at the store or create your own. Aromatherapy involves creating different scents in the air that bring on calmness and relaxation. TRAVEL VIDEOS- Open new vistas by bringing in a travel video. These videos are very educational and interesting. BEAUTY CLUB- Help women cleanse their faces and apply some simple makeup if desired. CANDY-MAKING FLOWER ARRANGING- Purchase real or artificial flowers and make bouquets. ICE CREAM SOCIALS- Get together to have ice cream, or make ice cream from scratch. BREAD MACHINES- Enjoy making many different varieties of bread. READING GROUP- Read books aloud. CAKE DECORATING- Try some simple designs; provide lots of colors and frosting. SEWING CLUB- Give those who sew, knit, quilt or crochet a chance to work on their projects together and socialize. With beginners, work on simple sewing projects such as teddy bears or potholders. COOKING CLUB- Prepare and cook simple recipes and enjoy them when you are done, or make gift baskets for friends. NAME THAT TUNE- Use popular favorites from a variety of eras. MOVIE & POPCORN- Make popcorn and watch movies together. Source: http://members.tripod.com/activityideas-ivil/aactivities/id1.html

Winter 2008-09
Text Box: Got a Case of the Wintertime Blues?

“I have decided to go back to school, which I never thought I could do.  I am getting my degree as a nursing assistant.  I owe a lot of this to the peer support I received.  It gave me my confidence back.” – Penny N.

 

 

“Peer support has helped me realize that all of the strengths and skills I had before I got sick were not gone forever.  I still can claim them and build off of them, and I have a right to own them. I am now the Director of a consumer-run program, and my life has flourished because of it.  It wouldn’t have otherwise.” – Lyn M. 

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Text Box: Creating opportunities for people with mental illness to exercise power in their lives