Days can drag in hospital – and succumbing to boredom really isn’t the fastest road to recovery.  What patients need, just as soon as they are able, is to keep their minds occupied.  The more engaged they are, the quicker they will recuperate.  It’s a question of mind over matter.  All too often as I walk through hospital wards, I see patients lying in bed with absolutely nothing to do.  Of course some of them will unfortunately be too poorly to do anything.  But for those that are up to it, getting involved in something to occupy their minds is the closest thing available to a panacea. As friends and relatives of people in hospital, we can help a lot by taking or sending them gifts designed to keep their minds engaged.  For example, puzzles, writing sets, cross stitch kits.  The A Friend in Need website (http://www.afriendinneed.co.ukuk) has a lot of good ideas for suitable presents, or if you know the patient well you can buy them something that will suit their particular interests.