Hospital admissions are physically and mentally draining! When you live with a chronic illness, hospital admissions are something we avoid like the plague. I mean the 4am blood draws, being woken up 100x a night for vitals and having doctors and nurses in and out constantly. It’s exhausting to say the least.
It’s bad enough living with these conditions and the uncertainties they bring, but when you’re in the hospital you have even less control over your day.
But sometimes the hospital is the only and best option to get the help and the care you that you can’t get outpatient.
So here’s 12 ways I try to make the best of my hospital admissions!!
1. Hang fairy lights.
The lights brighten up the boring hospital room and makes it so much more cheery. The fairy lights I have come with a remote and different settings so I can change them right from my hospital bed. Even my doctors and nurses love them and say they wish fairy lights were in all the patient’s rooms. I’d have to agree! The Teen Coordinator for the Activity Center even ordered fairy lights as a special surprise for some of the teens. How cool is that?!!!
2. Read
Reading is a great distraction and helps to pass the time. A good book can take your mind off your current situation and take you to a different world! Some hospitals even have books you can “borrow” so be sure to ask about it. Here’s what I’ve been reading this summer.
3. Listen to Podcasts.
I love listening to a good podcast while painting, drawing or even just resting in bed. It’s something easy and chill to do, a great way to stay occupied and helps keep your mind distracted. One of my favorite podcasts is This is Not What I Ordered, about how chronic illness and other health challenges can be a real bummer, but they don’t have to be the end of joy and fulfillment.
4. Get Crafty.
Painting, crocheting, drawing, embroidery, making bracelets or any kind of arts and crafts is very therapeutic and relaxing! This is absolutely my favorite thing to do in the hospital to pass the time when I feel good enough and have the energy.
5. Listen to Music.
Listening to music and creating new playlists is a great way to unwind and distract your mind without taking up much energy. I also love to get song suggestions from nurses and friends. I often learn about new songs that I’ve never heard before that end up becoming some of my favorites.
6. Visit with Therapy Dogs.
During my last six week inpatient stay, therapy dogs visited every Tuesday and Thursday. I always miss my pets so much when I’m inpatient so the therapy dogs were just that… therapeutic!!!
7. Set a Routine.
Make a little routine that you stick to everyday. Your own routine gives you the feeling of a little more control. I like doing school work in the morning, something creative in the afternoon and then watching a movie or show in the evening. I finish off the day with reading or listening to music right before I go to sleep.
8. Self-Care.
Don’t let your normal self care tasks like washing your face and brushing your teeth go while you’re in the hospital. Pack the normal things you use from home. If you can’t do them yourself, your nurse or a CNA is always happy to help. I had a bath tub during my last stay and taking baths with epsom salt always made me feel relaxed and a little better. As much as I didn’t feel like even washing my face some days, it always made me feel better.
9. Friends and Family.
Talking to friends and family can make your stay seem so much less lonely. Texting or doing a FaceTime call is a great way to stay connected if you can’t have visitors . Also, connecting with others who are going through similar health challenges can be super helpful and make you feel less alone. I’ve met some amazing people who are always encouraging me and I’m especially grateful for those connections!
10. Hospital Schedule.
Ask for the hospital schedule. Many hospitals have TV channels where you can tune in to play Bingo and other games and sometimes even win prizes. I won this sweet ukulele playing Bingo during my last inpatient stay and then my nurse set up Music Therapy to come by and teach me how to play it!
11. Bring Cozy Stuff.
I always bring my favorite soft fuzzy blanket, a silk pillow case, comfy PJs, a sleep mask to make the room dark and a white noise maker to help drown out the hospital noise while I sleep. It always makes it feel more like home and my doctors usually tease me about my “spa” room!!
12. Watch and Re-watch Your Favorites.
Watch your favorite movies, documentaries, or TV shows. I love watching old childhood shows or some of my favorite Netflix series over and over. There’s just something so comforting about it!!!
Hopefully these tips will make your next hospital admission a little bit more bearable!!! Please let me know what you do to survive a hospital admission. I have another big surgery coming up soon and am looking for some new ideas!
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