For those living with chronic illness, daily life can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Coding—whether in PHP, JavaScript, CSS, Ajax or others —offers a unique form of therapy. It is not just about building websites or applications; it is about creating structure, channeling creativity, and finding focus. Developing web apps can become an engaging hobby that provides both mental stimulation and emotional grounding.
Sketchbooks.org and GnarlyTree.com both are my sites. Both use plugins that I coded specifically for the sites. Read more about the specific plugins here. https://sketchbooks.org/sketchbooks-plugin-suite/. Here at GnarlyTree.com I am using the SketchQuiz.. as the POTSQuiz found on every article here. Also the GSInternalBookmarksCard is used extensively for linking to terms and medical sites here. And more..
Creativity as a Lifeline
Coding allows ideas to be transformed into functioning web apps. That process—from concept to reality—can feel therapeutic. It is similar to building a model: starting with raw materials and ending with something tangible. Even small steps in coding provide a sense of accomplishment. The act of creation itself becomes a source of healing. This POTSQuiz is a my own Plugin written for Sketchbooks.org at 1st, then I adopted it for Gnarlytree.com.
Do you use a walker or other mobility aid for independence?
Coding and Health Rhythms
Health often dictates how much energy is available for coding. On days of severe fatigue, progress may be slower, while on better days, programming can flow more freely. To avoid overwhelm, pacing is essential—coding in manageable sessions and balancing it with restorative activities. This rhythm ensures that coding remains restorative rather than draining, mirroring the adaptive approach needed to manage illness.
AI Assistance: A Game Changer for Brain Fog
Brain fog is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms faced by people with chronic illness. It can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming, and for many, it has historically kept coding out of reach. But AI assistance is changing that. What was once off-limits—debugging, structuring logic, remembering syntax—is now doable again.
AI tools can help bridge the gap between intention and execution. They offer suggestions, autocomplete code, explain errors, and even generate entire functions based on a few words. This support reduces cognitive load and allows coders to stay in flow longer, even on low-energy days. Instead of staring at a blank screen, users can interact with a responsive assistant that nudges them forward, one step at a time.
For those managing chronic illness, this shift is profound. Coding becomes less about memorization and more about collaboration. AI doesn’t replace creativity—it amplifies it. It turns coding into a dialogue, where ideas can be shaped and refined without the pressure of perfect recall or uninterrupted focus.
By embracing AI assistance, coding becomes more accessible, more forgiving, and more empowering. It opens the door to projects that once felt too complex, and it makes the act of building web apps a viable, enjoyable hobby again.
I’ve found that just using the stock Gemini interface is good enough to do anything. You just need to write some good prompt that you can quickly paste into it over and over again as you code.
Immersion in Code: Finding Flow
Coding creates a state of flow where attention narrows and distractions fade. Chronic illness often brings noise—physical symptoms, fatigue, or sensory overload—but the act of writing code can quiet that background. Whether it is structuring a database, styling a layout, or solving a JavaScript bug, the focus required becomes meditative. Each keystroke is a step deeper into clarity.
Small Wins and Incremental Progress
Web apps are built piece by piece, and that incremental nature makes coding therapeutic. A single function completed, a CSS class styled correctly, or an Ajax call returning the right data can feel like a victory. These small wins accumulate, creating momentum even when energy is limited. Progress does not have to be dramatic; it just has to be steady.
Coding as a Hobby, Not Work
Approaching coding as a hobby reframes it from obligation to enjoyment. Chronic illness often restricts traditional hobbies, but coding offers a flexible alternative. It can be done in short bursts, paused when necessary, and resumed without losing continuity. Unlike physical crafts or sports, web development adapts to the coder’s pace, making it accessible and sustaining.
Getting Started with Free Tools
Coding therapy works best when the tools are accessible and cost nothing. Fortunately, there are powerful free options that make it easy to start building web apps without financial barriers. Setting up a local server, writing code, and testing projects can all be done with free software that runs on laptops or even tablets.
Local Development with XAMPP, VSCODE, FileZilla and Chrome
XAMPP is a free, open-source package that installs Apache, MySQL, and PHP on a computer. With it, a full server environment can run locally, making it possible to test WordPress or custom web apps without paying for hosting. Installation is straightforward, and once it is running, projects can be accessed through a browser at localhost. This setup provides a safe sandbox for experimentation and learning.
Online Options for Tablets
For those who prefer working on iPads or other tablets, browser-based coding environments offer a free alternative. Platforms that run entirely in the browser allow code to be written and executed without installation. While not as powerful as a full local server, they provide a lightweight way to practice coding and build small projects on mobile devices.
Essential Free Tools
Several free tools combine to create a complete development environment:
- XAMPP: is a free, open-source package that installs Apache, MySQL, and PHP
- VS Code: A free, extensible code editor with support for PHP, JavaScript, CSS, and more.
- Chrome DevTools: Built into the Chrome browser, these tools allow inspection, debugging, and optimization of web apps in real time.
- FileZilla: A free FTP client for transferring files to and from servers when publishing projects.
- WordPress: Free and open-source, WordPress provides a flexible framework for building websites and experimenting with themes or extensions.
By combining these free tools, anyone can create a complete development environment without spending money. This accessibility makes coding a sustainable hobby, especially for those managing chronic illness, where flexibility and low barriers are essential.
This Bookmark Card is an example of my own Plugin coded with these tools.
GnarlyTree | TYPES OF POTS
What is Neuropathic POTS | Understanding Nerve-Related Dysautonomia
Neuropathic POTS is a subtype of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which falls under the broader category of dysautonomia—a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. In Neuropathic POTS, there is partial autonomic nerve damage, especially...
Web Apps as Therapy
Building web apps is more than technical work—it is therapeutic. Each project offers:
- Structure: Coding provides logical steps and clear outcomes, countering the unpredictability of illness.
- Focus: Immersion in code creates a meditative state where limitations fade into the background.
- Control: Designing apps gives a sense of shaping an environment when so much else feels uncontrollable.
- Joy: Even small flourishes—like a new layout or interactive feature—bring satisfaction and fun.
Conclusion
Coding therapy does not cure chronic illness, but it transforms the experience of living with it. Developing web apps as an engaging hobby provides creativity, focus, and resilience. Each line of code is a step toward reclaiming agency, proving that healing can happen in unexpected places—sometimes in the logic of PHP, the interactivity of JavaScript, or the elegance of CSS.
Enhancing the Hobby with AI Assistance
The therapeutic value of coding is now amplified by the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence. Tools like AI coding assistants act as intelligent partners, automating the repetitive, tedious tasks that can drain limited energy and focus. When developing PHP functions, styling elements with CSS, or building interactive features with JavaScript, AI helps to generate boilerplate code, suggest solutions to common bugs, and ensure proper syntax in real time. This support allows the artist-developer to bypass the most frustrating roadblocks and dedicate precious cognitive energy to the creative problem-solving and unique design challenges that make the hobby engaging. By delegating the “boring” work to the machine, the individual is empowered to focus on the high-level design and functionality, maximizing both productivity and the qualitative, restorative experience of creation. The POTSQuiz again – is an example of my own Plugin coded with these tools & AI help.
How many glasses of water or fluids do you drink daily?
