July 10 is designated as Chronic Disease Day. Chronic Disease Day was started by the national nonprofit advocacy organization Good Days in partnership with more than two dozen national patient advocacy organizations. Its focus is to draw awareness to the millions of people who suffer from some type of chronic disease and to create support networks to have healthier communities and expand access to care. If your loved one suffers from a chronic health condition, one of the most important ways you can help him manage his chronic disease, especially if he has chronic pain that is caused by the condition is to help him sleep better.
Four Ways Sleep Helps Those with Chronic Pain and Illnesses
- Sleep allows for healing and tissue repair. It can reduce inflammation which leads to chronic pain.
- Sleep reduces sensitivity to pain. Pain thresholds reduce when a person is sleep-deprived.
- Sleep improves cognitive function. It’s hard to make wise health decisions without enough sleep.
- Sleep provides a better outlook. Everything, even chronic pain, is a little more tolerable after a good night’s sleep.
Plan for a Good Night’s Sleep
Many people don’t think about sleeping until it’s time for their head to hit the pillow. But when sleep is very important for managing a chronic health condition and/or reliving chronic pain, your loved one needs to take steps while he’s awake to help him sleep better at night.
Some of these steps he can take on his own, others may benefit if he has the help of a home care provider. If your loved one is someone who needs help throughout his day with various daily living activities, a home care provider can also help him with activities that will help him sleep better at night. With home care services, you can always speak directly to the care providers and request for their care to be customized as your loved one needs it.
Let’s look at three steps your loved one can take during the day to help him sleep better at night.
- Keep his sleep cycle routine. One of the biggest detriments to getting a good night’s sleep is sleeping in too late and then not being able to fall asleep that evening. It sets up a cycle of not falling asleep when he needs to and then oversleeping in the morning. The best option is to get up at the same time every day so that the body knows when it’s time to sleep and when it’s not.
- Get regular exercise, in the fresh air, if possible. Sunshine (even if it’s not direct sunlight) and fresh air help the body wake up and recognize it’s daytime, thus making it easier for it to recognize nighttime. Regular movement and exercise during the day also encourage the body to want to rest at night.
- Watch what he eats and drinks, especially in the latter parts of the day. Certain foods and drinks can make sleeping difficult so helping him to stay away from them later in the day can help him sleep better.
- Reduce stress levels. Stress can keep your loved one awake and if he doesn’t manage it during the day, it’s likely to bother him just as he’s trying to fall asleep. Taking steps to reduce stress levels during the day can help him sleep better.
Celebrate dreams of better sleep this year!
