Wisdom tooth extraction is something that a good percentage of us will have to experience at some point in our lives. For me, that point was last Wednesday. I spent two hours knocked out in a dentist’s chair, having all five of my wisdom teeth cut out of my jaw. (Yes, there were five of them.) It’s one of the most minor surgeries a person can have, but the recovery process can be pretty painful. Aside from the head-splitting pain, my biggest challenge was figuring out ways to pass the time and keep myself from falling into boredom. During times like these, people commonly turn to Netflix and social media for entertainment. However, I decided to fill my time with things that were slightly more fulfilling. Now, I present a short list of activities that are perfect boredom busters for anyone recovering from dental surgery -- and none of them involve staring at a screen.
1. Embrace Your Inner DIY-er
Turn the discomfort into sometime positive by making your own friendship bracelets, notebooks, wall art, you name it. There’s enough tutorials on YouTube to keep you DIYing for an entire year. Being the LUSH addict that I am, I even made my own bath bombs on the first day after my surgery. It felt so much better to get off my butt and actually do something, and the activities were a perfect distraction from the pain.
2. Break Out The Board Games
This is something you can start on as soon as the anesthesia completely wears off. Board games generally don’t involve movement or much talking. So grab a parent, sibling, friend or extended family member and challenge them to a game. Perhaps you’ll even find joy in old classics such as checkers and chess, or learn how to play something new.
3. Take A Bath
Another good idea for relaxation when you’re really not feeling your best. I went all out with one of my favorite LUSH bubble bars, but if you don’t have any of those around, just light some candles and sink back into the steamy water. You’ll be feeling better in no time, and will have a much clearer head after an hour-long bath than an hour of staring at Facebook.
4. Cook Food You Can Actually Eat
This is probably best to do in preparation before your surgery or as soon as you can be on your feet. Don’t mourn the loss of foods you can’t eat. Instead find enjoyment in the ones you can. Make a pot of chicken soup, a soft cake, or a new oatmeal recipe. If you’re feeling up to it, maybe you can even give homemade ice cream a try.
5. Read and Write
What better time to write angsty poetry or read dreary young adult novels then when you’re feeling gloomy and bedridden? Quit staring at your computer screen and grab a notebook or novel instead. And if you're not exactly the literary type, you can draw or paint. All of these things can provide hours of entertainment, and you'll have a workout for your brain, instead of eye strain.
If you're getting your wisdom teeth out soon, I challenge you to use this list and expand upon it. Just because you're immobile for a few days doesn't mean you need to wallow in self-pity. Often the quickest recoveries happen when we push through our minor discomforts, instead of letting them get us down.
