Speaking from my present circumstances: if you ever have the bad fortune to break an ankle and end up basically housebound for more than a month, once you get past the initial pain, you'll find yourself valuing simple comforts more than ever. Clean sheets, pre-prepared food, a really nice-smelling bar of soap: they all make a big difference when you're feeling uncomfortable and temporarily trapped. So, not to bemoan my short-term fate ad nauseam, but: here are five citrus-scented products that have cheered me recently.
I think a broken bone merits some indulgence in fancy toiletries you'd normally tuck aside and save "for later," and Antica Farmacista Grapefruit Hand Cream is one of those. It's a perfectly formulated lotion (not sticky, not slippery) packaged in an elegant yet convenient (flip-top!) tube, and its Grapefruit scent is mouth-wateringly tart. For elbows, knees and so on, the denser Body Butter concentration would also be perfect. (shown just below; $18 for 2.5 oz. at Antica Farmacista)
When you're managing with awkward half-baths in order to avoid getting a cast wet, why not break out a new soap? Anything to distract from the frustration of not being able to take a proper shower, right? I've long been a fan of Victoria's Eggwhite Facial Soap and Swedish Summer Soap, so I was looking forward to trying the new berry-themed scented body soaps. The pale orange Cloudberry (Hjortron; top image) soap smells sweet-and-sour, like salted peach jam. I'm also fond of the Lingonberry and Blueberry varieties. Matching lotions and body scrubs are also available! ($1.00 for a mini soap, $5 for a full-sized bar at Beautyhabit)
While I've been laid up, I placed an order with Lush (as one does) and I made sure to purchase an old favorite, the Therapy Massage Bar. It's a compact oval of cocoa butter, shea butter, and essential oils that can be rubbed directly onto skin and functions like solid lotion. It did wonders for smoothing and healing my flaky leg when my cast was finally removed, and its citrus-floral scent never fails to boost my spirits. ($12.95 for 1.8 oz. at Lush)
In a similar vein, when my lips were chapped from stress and dehydration (and the change in seasons) and my usual lip balms weren't working, I dug into my Boxwalla sample of H is For Love Lip Conditioner. This plain-looking blend of butters, oils and waxes is one of the best lip treatments I've ever tried, and its hard-to-pinpoint scent (a mix of bergamot, mint and palmarosa) is strangely calming. (shown just above; $17 for .17 oz. at H is for Love)
Lastly, if you're going to live primarily in one room for weeks on end, you'll find you need to refresh the room and your outlook regularly. I've kept a bottle of Starchild Creative's Liquid Daydream Room Spray close at hand. It's an all-natural potion of grapefruit and peppermint essential oils, with a few added carnelian crystals for "creativity, passion and life-force." (They also help to mix the ingredients when you shake the bottle before using.) ($13.33 for 4 oz. via Starchild Creative on Etsy)
I've just graduated to a "walking boot" and I'm starting physical therapy soon, so I'm finally feeling a bit more mobile. I'll continue using all these products, however, because they work and they brighten my mood at the same time. Trust me, you don't have to fracture a fibula to appreciate them.
Hope you get better soon, Jessica. I broke my ankle last year and it was really hard to stay for so long at the sofa…
Thank you, Solance! I love our living room, but I’m definitely ready for more varied scenery at this point!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been through the same thing…ugh.
I have broken my fibula+smaller ankle bone. Slow half-baths are something I don’t miss.
I recommend a rolly chair and tongs for making things easier in the apartment.
Plus toe separators when you get into the boot, as the boot can do does other damages to your body and posture. But congratulations, that step is huge, and soon you’ll be slow-stomping all over town.
I’ve been (mentally) kicking myself for being such a dunce, slipping and falling on my own steps…so hearing from other fracture recoverees makes me feel less alone! Thank you!
“Slow-stoming” it shall be… I’ll keep that phrase in mind! I’m glad to have the cast off, and *very* relieved that I didn’t have to have surgery.
I’ve broken my fibula, too! I fell off a deck at my cousin’s anniversary party. Only one glass of white wine, I swear. Seriously. And I’m now rehabbing a broken humerus, gaaah. I’m just world class clumsy.
Ya know, falls happen, and it can be embarrassing, but we can be gentle with ourselves. Look at all the company you have! ????
And jjlook is right, the boot is probably at a different height than your other shoe, so you might experience some back pain. If you have access to a massage therapist, or work with a chiropractor already, they can help ease discomfort.
Good luck with your PT! And take your calcium and D3! Okay, I’ll stop now. ????
We need to start a Fraternity of the Fibula!
I do feel less alone, reading all these comments. Thank you! I’m looking forward to starting PT… I have so many questions, including how to protect my hips and lower back while I’m wearing the walking boot. And I’ve been dutifully taking D, magnesium, a bone supplement, and others since the week of my fall…my mother got me all stocked up! 
Hurray for getting your cast off! I broke an ankle as a kid, and I hated that walking cast with a passion. Getting that thing off felt SO good! Best of luck with the walking boot & your PT.
I didn’t have a full night’s sleep for 5 weeks, until I got that darn cast off!! I love being able to “free” my leg at bedtime and bathtime now, and at other points in the day!
It’s nice to pamper yourself regardless of the reason, but more so when your not your normal self. I’m glad you don’t need surgery and you’re on your way to recovery with the PT sessions! I had a hairline fracture of an ankle bone for which nothing could be done and to this day, it is a good predictor of bad weather.
Thank you! I’m making progress, even though it *feels* slow… no shortcuts with this kind of thing, I guess! I really valued my nice soap and lotion and various balms more than ever during those first few weeks, when I was really focusing on the bare essentials of getting through the day.
I love cloudberries, so will keep an eye out for that one. Thanks for mentioning it! And sending quick healing thoughts!
Cloudberries were new to me but now I want to try some real ones! I like this line, in general…good quality, sweet retro packaging, and non-insane pricing!
Have you this waterproof ankle protector for showers? https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-waterproof-cast-%26-wound-protector-26-inch/ID=prod6185295-product?reactjs=true