The word recovery can feel stressful and overwhelming. Being hospitalized is an experience you’ll remember for a long time. It’s common to feel scared, worried, and anxious after your hospital stay – especially if you weren’t expecting it. The last thing you want to do is let your fear take over and prevent you from getting better or slowing down your recovery process. Recovery is a process, not an immediate result of an event. If you understand that and take small steps along the way, recovery may be a lot easier than you think. Read on for tips on how to recover faster after being hospitalized:
Find post-hospitalization care
The first thing you should do after being hospitalized is to find a post-hospitalization care. The right doctor can make all the difference in your healing process. Choose someone who’s up-to-date on the latest research, but also someone who has experience treating a specific condition. This can be tricky – after all, it’s not like you can just Google “how to recover from a broken arm” or “when is it safe to get back on my feet after back surgery.” Doctors are constantly changing their advice on this topic, based on new research. For example, someone in your position might need to be careful about moving certain parts of their body – especially their back. You might also need to avoid exercises that are potentially risky, like jumping or running. Someone who’s experienced in treating your condition might be able to give you advice on when it’s safe to start moving around again. You may also need prescriptions to help with your recovery.
Eat right and sleep
When you’re in recovery, your body needs fuel. That energy comes from healthy foods like fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. The first few weeks after being hospitalized are a critical time for your body to catch up on the calories it’s been burning while you were asleep. If you don’t get a good night’s sleep, you’ll slow down your recovery and increase your chances of getting sick. Sleep is also the time your body repairs itself. When you’re not asleep, your body is busy rebuilding cells, removing toxins, and reducing inflammation. You might feel like you’re healing a lot faster than normal, but your body is only doing these things when you’re sleeping.
Get some fresh air
Many people struggle to find time to exercise after being hospitalized. If you can squeeze in some activity, it can really help you recover. It may sound simple, but taking some time to sit outside, get some fresh air, or walk around the block really helps people recover faster. You’re not stressed, you’re not thinking about your health condition, and you’re spending time with people without the stress of “work” or “life.” Find something that works for you – whether that’s walking, yoga, or running. It doesn’t have to be intense. Just get your heart rate up so your body gets a little sweaty and your breathing slows down.0
Strive for self-care
Self-care is a big part of recovery. You can’t take care of yourself if you’re too stressed out or feeling overwhelmed by your health condition. If you’re caring for someone else, this is especially important. You might be in a bad place mentally, physically, or emotionally as you recover from hospitalization – and you need to be okay with that. Find ways to relax and relieve stress that doesn’t involve drinking or doing drugs. You might find that listening to music helps you relax. You might also like to explore mindfulness – a type of meditation that helps you take a step back and get perspective on your feelings and thoughts.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to learn after a hospital stay, and you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. It’s important to remember that recovery is a process – and it can be done by following these tips. When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, remember to take a step back and think. Your body has been through a lot while you were in the hospital – and you need to make sure it has the time and space to heal. There may be things you can do to help reduce the stress in your life. From there, you can focus on eating healthy, getting some exercise, and getting better. These steps will help you recover faster, and reduce your chances of getting sick again.