Nicole Gleichmann
Nicole is a health and wellness writer who has spent many years perfecting the science of sleep. Now her days are filled with adventure and writing, and her nights with peaceful slumber.
Nicole is a health and wellness writer who has spent many years perfecting the science of sleep. Now her days are filled with adventure and writing, and her nights with peaceful slumber.
At Mattress Advisor, you’ll find comprehensive, unbiased reviews on the best mattresses and bedding products and thoroughly researched tips for getting your best sleep.
Getting enough sleep is particularly important after any surgical procedure. Your body needs the rest to heal, and your emotional wellbeing can also benefit from the right amount of shuteye.
Unfortunately, it can be quite challenging to sleep well after surgery. This is troublesome because surgery can leave people feeling mentally and physically fatigued. In order to heal properly and get back to feeling healthy and productive, it’s important to learn ways to improve your sleep quality and quantity following a surgical procedure.
In the days, weeks, or even months following surgery, many people experience extreme fatigue. It can feel like you don’t have the energy to do anything more than sit or lie down. There are many reasons why you might feel lethargic following surgery. These include:
In order to regain your energy and recover mentally and physically, it’s critical to prioritize sleep.
In spite of feeling fatigued, many people will struggle to fall asleep quickly or sleep soundly throughout the night following a surgical procedure. Pain and stress are two common factors that disrupt sleep after many types of surgery, and thus, the ones that must be addressed to help encourage proper sleep.
While the physical therapy appointments themselves might be difficult and painful, physical therapy can help you recover faster and decrease pain along the way. Physical therapists can offer personalized tips that might help you relieve pain through exercises or stretches, plus your expedited recovery process can help you get back to your normal schedule faster.
When you lack energy, it can be tempting to use caffeine to cover up the symptoms. It’s best to avoid drinking coffee late in the day, particularly after surgery. Even drinking too much of it in the morning and afternoon can make it hard to sleep at night if you’re sensitive to caffeine. Try avoiding caffeine or limiting yourself to a couple of cups of coffee or caffeinated tea early in the morning.
You will likely be prescribed a variety of medications following your surgery. They may help to reduce inflammation, improve pain, or fight off infection. Follow your doctor’s advice and take your medications as directed to avoid complications and expedite healing. Additionally, it is a good idea to take pain medication about thirty minutes before you go to bed to reduce the likelihood of pain stopping you from falling asleep or waking you up shortly after you drift off to dreamland.
Meditation has been used as a tool to reduce stress and pain, with multiple studies finding that meditation can help to improve sleep by reducing pain following surgery. Guided imagery meditation with soothing biorhythmic music can encourage relaxation and sleep.
When you feel tired throughout the day, it can be hard to not lie down and take a nap. The problem is that excessive napping can make it harder for you to achieve quality sleep come nighttime. If you need a nap, try not to exceed one 15-30 minute nap each day.
Your sleeping needs are likely to be different after surgery than they were before. It can be helpful to setup a sleeping area just for yourself that is comfortable and relaxing. You may want to avoid sleeping with others in order to reduce how often you’re woken up once you fall asleep. Additionally, make sure that the room is cool, the bed and blankets comfortable, and the room dark to allow for you to sleep soundly.
Sleeping after surgery is both challenging and important. Be kind to yourself, and don’t expect perfection right away. But with a little bit of work, you can slowly improve your quality of sleep, allowing you to heal faster and feel less fatigued during your healing process.
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