Creative Activities During a Health Cure or Rehab

Hi everyone,

while organizing the photos on my computer, I came across some creative works I made during my rehab stay in 2009. I’ll show them to you in a moment—but first, let’s chat a bit; after all, this is a thread in the “Chat Corner.”

Of course, you choose a health resort based on the specific health issue you need to address. After all, that’s what the various treatments are for. BUT for us creative types, it’s also always important to know what creative activities we can do after the day’s program or on the weekends. Every health resort has its own program for that.

At my health resort in Boltenhagen, under the guidance of an occupational therapist, you could do silk painting or basket weaving. I found basket weaving more interesting because I’d never done it before—up until then, I’d only known how to braid hair :-) So it was a great opportunity to give it a try.

First, the willow rods were soaked overnight to make them pliable. Then you had to choose a base panel. These were wood-colored or printed plywood panels with holes all around the edges. Long, sturdy rods—called stakes—were inserted into these holes. And the soaked willow rods were then woven around these stakes. It took quite a bit of strength to handle these large materials and get them into the right position. The rim was a bit more complicated; it took me several tries before I got the hang of it.

At the end of the rehab stay, I took my handmade baskets home with me (for the cost of materials, of course). I still have them today—they’re practically indestructible.

Who among you would like to share your experiences at health resorts? What opportunities were there to get creative, and did you enjoy them? Maybe you even picked up a new hobby from the experience.

Best regards—Ina

Here are my creations :-)

Wow, Ina, those are such pretty baskets—I’m so jealous of you. I think I would have tried basket weaving, too.
Unfortunately, I’ve never been to a health resort.

The baskets look really great.

I got approval for a spa treatment last week. We’ll see when it starts. I’ll definitely be taking a suitcase full of yarn with me. 😃But I’d also be up for something like that—let’s see what’s on offer 

@Arni, you can usually see on the website what creative activities are offered at your rehab facility. I also had some wool with me. And I learned to knit socks there from a fellow patient. After all, we had time between treatments. In the next larger town there was also a yarn shop, which of course all the “wool addicts” visited. I wish you the greatest success with your rehab.

@Bastelfan, dear Andrea, yes, I think weaving would be something for you too. Don’t say “unfortunately, I’ve never had rehab” — sometimes you have to do rehab after a serious illness so that you become “fit for work” again. But there are also preventive health cures, which is of course better. You can take care of your health and also be creative on the side.

I’m glad you like my baskets.

Best regards, Ina

WOW, you’ve done some amazing work there!

Thanks, Akela, for your praise.

Those turned out to be very beautiful baskets, and I’m sure the creative weaving played a significant role in your recovery. I can well imagine how necessary something like that is during a health retreat or rehab.

Ina, your baskets look great. That reminds me of a mother-child getaway at a farm. My son was still little back then. We wove baskets there to use as Easter baskets. I enjoyed that, too. Unfortunately, the basket got lost during one of our many moves. But they didn’t look as nice as yours, and they were actually pretty easy to make.

Dear Monika, doing crafts with kids is always especially fun. When you’re on a health retreat or vacation with your child, you also have the relaxed time to do it.

And when there are Easter surprises in a homemade basket, the joy is mixed with pride in the homemade basket itself. After all, it’s not about perfection.

Best regards, Ina

Oh wow, those baskets are really beautiful.

I’ve never been to rehab, but my mom gave me a handmade heart-shaped necklace when she was there. I really love wearing it. I’ll take a picture of it sometime. 

The baskets look really professionally made, Ina. I’m afraid I don’t have enough strength left in my hands for that kind of craft project.

I’m not really the “rehab type” myself. I went to rehab once after my kidney transplant, but I had a rather bad experience there. I also don’t like it when my day is so tightly scheduled. I always say, “My best kind of recovery is when I have peace and quiet at home and can do whatever I enjoy.” But I do realize that in some cases, you need professional help to get back on your feet.

The baskets are very beautiful. I was in Bad Wildungen in 2012; while I was there for rehab, I also wove a
basket. But it was a very simple one, without ribbons or beads. It was fun.
And I knitted endless pairs of socks.
I like to look back on that time—it was very nice there.

I’m glad you like my baskets; thank you for your praise.

@Krea_Tina
We’d all be happy to see a photo of that special heart necklace. It’s such a lovely keepsake. Your mom surely enjoyed making the necklace for you.

@ruthk
Yes, I understand very well what you mean when you say you’re not really the “rehab type.” Neither am I, but sometimes it’s simply necessary. Yes, it could well be that you no longer have enough strength in your hands for basket weaving. For me it was 12 years ago too; today it would be too strenuous for me as well.

@Vinara
See, you can still weave baskets elsewhere too ... and knit endless socks. If you look back on that time fondly, then the rehab helped you in many ways. That’s how it should be. Body and soul need attention and pampering with things that do them good.