Refreshment - Where?

As I was driving home with Ruth from a meeting the other night, I was reflecting on some health problems and a general sense of weariness. Ruth saw a connection between vulnerability to sickness and the weariness, and so she encouraged me to stop working so much, and spend time refreshing myself.

This is a huge dilemma for me. The things that used to refresh me I can no longer do because of the arthritis that has impacted most of my body: Swimming, tennis, running, walking, motorcycles, waterskiing are all out of the picture. I do embrace the practice of using a stationary bike, a stair master, and some small free weights for cardio, mobility, and strength. But because of the condition of my legs, I tend to mostly sit. And while I'm sitting, it seems a terribly draining thing to watch television or movies, unless those movies are exceptionally good. And so, while I sit, I like to do something positive, productive, helpful to others, and even personally satisfying. So I end up sitting. Where? In front of my computer --- working. Some of it feels like work, but much of it brings a sense of satisfaction about being creative through writing, connected with friends and family through correspondence, or just plain "caught up" with bookkeeping and financial affairs. I guess it also represents an escape from the pain I feel when I think about being physically limited. Simply said, it keeps my mind off of it.

The downside is that doing anything on a computer is, by definition, non-social, and often perceived as anti-social. I don't like the impact that this has on our marriage, or on the relationships with my kids and grandkids. But I'm having a very hard time finding alternatives. It would be helpful to find other people who have dealt with similar frustrations and found some happy solutions.