For most people, being put on bed rest is a nightmare. However, if you have the right mindset, it doesn’t have to be as bad as you think. There are several things you can do to make the bedridden experience bearable. Whether you’re pregnant, sick, or dealing with a painful condition in your legs or back, you can survive bed rest with the following tips and tricks.
- Stimulate the Eye
Being stuck in the same room for an extended period of time is enough to drive anyone crazy. It’s even worse if you’re forced to stare at the same walls, same furniture, same everything for weeks or months on end.
That’s why it’s important that you change things up and stimulate your eyes. Try adding new pictures, posters, and other pieces of wall art to your room (and swap them out on a semi-regular basis). Until you’re bedridden, you don’t understand how wonderful it is to have something new to look at. Putting up pictures and images of things that are meaningful to you – such as family pictures or places you’ve visited – is even better.
- Keep Things Within Reach
By the very definition of being bedridden, you can’t get out of bed to get what you need. That’s why it’s critical that you keep things within reach. Things like medication, reading materials, glasses, light, remote controls, electronics, and cell phones should be kept close. In many cases – especially for bedridden pregnant mothers – placing a two-way radio or baby monitor by your bed can aid in communication and allows you to ask for help whenever you need it.
- Find Companionship
While your friends and loved ones will certainly come to your assistance and help you as much as possible, it’s often difficult for someone who’s never been through your situation to understand what it’s really like. However, that doesn’t eliminate the need you have for feeling understood.
Many bedridden people find it helpful to discover companionship and support throughout their experience. Whether it’s a social media group, online message board, or a group of local people, it’s incredibly helpful to talk with a support group that’s been through (or is going through) the same issues as you.
- Have Access to Entertainment
In-room entertainment is a godsend for bedridden patients. Whether it’s a television, computer, tablet, gaming system, or mp3 player, having interactive entertainment can take your mind off your issues and provide temporary enjoyment. Netflix, Hulu, and other online streaming services may be your best friend during your recovery.
- Exercise Any Way You Can
You may laugh at the word exercise while you’re bedridden, but it’s important that you at least try. It won’t look like a normal exercise routine, but you need to do something to get your muscles moving and blood pumping. It could be as simple as walking to the bathroom every couple of hours. You may choose to do leg raises while in bed. Maybe you’re able to move your arms in a circular motion. Whatever you can do to regain physical activity will be helpful in your recovery. (Make sure you speak with your doctor to make sure you’re healthy enough for the activities you plan on performing).
By following these tips and modifying them to your situation, you can ensure your bedridden experience isn’t as awful as you previously thought it would be. In addition to staying busy and occupied, you need to make sure you don’t ever lose hope. Find something to look forward to and hold tight to that thing or event. It will add purpose to your experience and keep you focused.