Dressing
Clothing and texture preferences are very personal. Here’s what’s compatible with me and my sensory needs.
Hoodies
I like soft cotton and micro fleece hoodies with zipper fronts, ample hoods, and pockets. I live in hoodies. I recede into their comforts. They provide sensory insulation.
Hoodie requirements:
- Soft
- Zipper front
- Ample hood
- Divided hand warmer pockets
I have limited shoulder flexibility and cramp readily when trying to shimmy out of long sleeve pullovers. All of my outerwear has a means of escape, preferably a YKK zipper.
Hoods
Turn any outfit into a hoodie with a separate hood.
Thai Fisherman Pants
Inexpensive, comfortable, and capable of being both your fat pants and your skinny pants, Thai Fisherman Pants are what I wear pretty much all the time. I get mine from AleyaCraft.
Thai fisherman pants are secured with a knot. Knot tying isn’t accessible to everyone. I still have enough hand dexterity to tie bow knots, so I haven’t had to work around the knot requirements of fisherman pants.
BTW, if you tie shoelaces using the bunny ear method, you might be tying Granny Knots instead of more secure Reef Knots. I did this for a long time before habituating myself to switch my starting knot from left over right to right over left.
Of the three common knotting techniques, the Two Loop Shoelace Knot (or “Bunny Ears” method) is probably the one that is most often tied incorrectly. The technique consists of one knot tied with loose ends followed by a second knot tied with loops. People naturally tie both stages exactly the same way, resulting in a “Granny Knot”. This has given it a bad reputation as an inferior knot – whereas it’s actually quite secure if tied correctly.
…if you currently tie your starting knot: “Left end over Right end & through”, simply change it to: “Right end over Left end & through” – or vice versa.
Ian’s Shoelace Site – The “Granny Knot”
Eating
Low-cost, low-spoon meal prep things.
Microwave Rice Cooker
Cook rice without an expensive rice cooker with this affordable microwave version.
Microwave Ramen Cooker
Cook ramen fast and easy with this microwave ramen cooker.
Jailhouse Recipes
@emmymade has a playlist of easy jailhouse recipes.
Hydrating
Water Bottles
Always be hydrating. We have several Takeya water bottles in the house. Their spout combined with a wide mouth opening make them versatile.
Sometimes you need a straw. If you have limited neck mobility, a straw avoids having to tip your head and the bottle back. Straws with a bite valve such as on the CamelBak Eddy+ are also great when you need to avoid splashing, such as when driving.
The Owala FreeSip combines a straw and a spout for the best of both worlds. This isn’t as splash and spill resistant as the CamelBak, but if you don’t need that then this is our current favorite water bottle.
Once again, check out Wirecutter’s review and survey of the water bottle field.
Travel Mugs
The Wirecutter recommended Zojirushi 16 ounce stainless steel travel mug is one of my favorite things. The opening action on the button and flip cap is reliable, stimmy goodness. The cap closes with a satisfying click. The flow is just right. The heat retention is superb. Bed-time tea is often still hot enough in the morning to enjoy. It’s also great as a water bottle.
Oral Rehydration Solution
DripDrop Hydration Electrolyte Powder Packets provide tasty and rapid rehydration. ORS science supposedly activates a hydration shortcut known as the sodium-glucose cotransport system, accelerating fluid absorption into the bloodstream 2-3x so you can feel better faster.
Hygiene
Bidets
Twisting and reaching to wipe can be impossible post surgery. The Tushy Classic 3.0 is an affordable bidet.
Continue with “This Chronic Bodymind: How We Cope”
Continue with “This Chronic Bodymind: How We Cope“.
