What indoor activities are suitable for patients with psoriasis?
Indoor activities suitable for patients with psoriasis should focus on being "gentle and non‑irritating to the skin, able to relax the mind, and provide moderate physical activity," while avoiding activities that cause skin friction, excessive sweating, or emotional fluctuation. The following are specific activity recommendations by type; they are safe, easy to perform, and can be done comfortably at home.
1. Gentle exercise: Keep the body active without increasing skin burden
Indoor yoga / stretching: Choose gentle yoga poses aimed at relaxation and stretching (such as Cat‑Cow and Child's Pose), and avoid high‑intensity twists or jumping movements. Place a soft towel on the yoga mat during practice to protect lesions; wear loose cotton clothing to reduce skin friction. After exercise, promptly pat away small amounts of sweat and apply a moisturizer.
Indoor slow walking / marching in place: Slow walk back and forth in the living room or hallway, or gently march in place for 15–20 minutes daily. Avoid wearing hard‑soled shoes; choose non‑slip soft‑soled slippers; slow your pace to avoid excessive sweating that can irritate the skin—this is especially suitable when lesions are more pronounced.
Lightweight strength training: Use small dumbbells (or water-filled plastic bottles) for simple upper-limb exercises such as dumbbell raises and arm curls, 10–15 minutes per session. Perform movements slowly and steadily to avoid excessive muscle strain that could cause heavy sweating; after training, gently pat the body dry with a mild towel to keep the skin dry.
2. Relaxation and mood management: Regulate emotions and relieve treatment-related stress
Meditation / deep-breathing exercises: Find a quiet corner, sit in a comfortable chair or lie on the bed, close your eyes and focus on your breathing, using a rhythm of "inhale 4 seconds, hold 2 seconds, exhale 6 seconds" to relax the body and mind, 10–15 minutes daily. You may pair this with soothing white noise (e.g., running water, rain sounds) to help you settle faster and reduce anxiety.
Listening to music / audiobooks: Choose relaxing, soothing music (such as classical music or natural soundscapes) or audiobooks of interest (novels, essays, popular science all acceptable), lie on a sofa or bed and listen quietly. Avoid listening to overly intense or sorrowful music to prevent large mood swings that could affect disease stability.
Handicrafts: Such as knitting, drawing (colored pencils, watercolor both acceptable), origami, jigsaw puzzles, etc.; the hands-on process helps focus on the present and divert attention from the condition. Choose gentle materials and avoid contact with sharp tools or irritating paints; low-intensity activities like puzzles and knitting are suitable for long-term adherence and can foster hobbies.
3. Home leisure: Comfortable and pleasant activities to enrich everyday life
Reading / Writing a Diary: Choose books you enjoy (essays, novels, lifestyle books, etc.) and read in well-lit areas; you can also keep a diary to record daily moods, changes in your condition, or everyday events to help organize emotions and relieve psychological stress. Avoid reading with your head bent for long periods; get up and move your neck and waist every 30 minutes.
Home Tea Ceremony / Brewing Tea: Learn simple tea-brewing procedures (such as brewing green tea or black tea) and relax body and mind during the brewing and tasting process. Choose mild teas and avoid drinking overly strong brews; take care to avoid scalds from hot water during handling, especially since skin lesions are more sensitive and require extra caution.
Watching Soothing Film/TV Content: Choose light comedies, warm family dramas, or healing documentaries (such as nature or food programs); avoid watching horror, violent, or overly tragic content to prevent emotional distress. Limit each viewing session to 1–2 hours, get up and move during breaks, and avoid prolonged sitting that can impair blood circulation.