15 Things To Do While You're Stuck In The Hospital | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

15 Things To Do While You're Stuck In The Hospital

It's no fun to be in a hospital, but here's how you can fill your time as an inpatient.

13715
15 Things To Do While You're Stuck In The Hospital
Personal Image

In This Article:

One thing is for sure, and it's that nobody likes to be stuck in the hospital. Regardless of whether you're the patient, a worried guardian, or a concerned visitor, it plain sucks.

Based on my own personal experience, I've compiled a few things for you and your loved ones to do to keep occupied. Whether you've planned this admission in advance or not, these fifteen activities should make your stay much more bearable for everyone involved.

Watch some amusing TV shows and movies.

It's no fun being stuck in the hospital, and it can take a whole lot to bring a smile to your face. Watch something that's guaranteed to entertain you. Having a good laugh is a healthy thing.

Journal your daily thoughts and experiences.

I've found that when I'm feeling overwhelmed, it helps to regurgitate my thoughts out onto a piece of paper. Keeping everything bottled up may seem like a decent idea now, but it's much better to let down your guard and express those emotions. I'm sure you're dealing with quite a lot, so do yourself a favor and let it out now.

Cry it out.

Remember that it does not make you weak to let out your emotions. You're only human, and I know firsthand how hopeless you can feel when your health is in jeopardy. Cry, cry, and cry until you can compose yourself, however long that takes. Your visitors and healthcare providers are all there as shoulders for you to lean on.

Think about all you'll do once you're discharged.

As mentioned earlier in the article, however critical your condition, it's not over. Keep up with the fight, and use your aspirations for the future to propel you forward. This isn't over yet, and you'll see the outside world again.

Listen to your favorite tunes.

Music can be cathartic in countless respects. During one of my hospital admissions, I spent my evenings by myself. I used my laptop to play some quiet tunes and wind down. It's therapeutic to find a song with which you resonate, whether it's heavy metal, contemporary pop or classical.

Play whatever makes you feel 100% understood.

Do some arts and crafts.

To some, this may sound childish. But like music, any medium of art can be therapeutic in a stressful situation. Adult coloring books exist for a reason, and this is it!

If you're able-bodied and prepared, pull out some paper and colored pencils to start creating some art. If not, ask your nurse if there is a recreational therapist working on your floor. People employed as recreational therapists work in hospitals organizing activities to ease the stress levels of patients such as yourself. He or she should be able to provide you with the supplies you need to do some arts and crafts of your own.

Stick your nose in a book.

If you're able to focus, try reading for leisure. Losing yourself in another storyline could help you to temporarily relieve the stress of your current situation.

Ask your nurse for a drink or snack.

A tasty snack or drink can definitely cheer me up when I'm stuck laying in a hospital bed. Hospital food isn't the best and your appetite may be low, but having a little something to eat may help you feel a bit better.

Just call your nurse and she'll grab you whatever you want, day or night!

Call or text your loved ones.

I know that when you're a patient stuck in a stuffy hospital room, some contact from the outside world can make all the difference. Don't be afraid to call up one of your loved ones or message a close friend or family member.. Chances are that they're thinking about you, anyway. In any case, remembering how many people care about you is an effective remedy for all that you may be feeling.

Request a visit from a service animal.

This one is my favorite! Nothing puts a smile on my face like a doggo.

Go ahead and ask your nurse about getting yourself on the waitlist for a visit from a service animal. If you're able to head out to the front desk or have a visitor who can do so, that's the best way to obtain information and make sure your name is on the waitlist!

Watch videos of adorable animals.

Obviously, the next best thing to seeing a service animal is checking out some pictures and videos of animals. If you have your phone on you, all it takes is a quick search to find some irrisistably cute animals online!

Pray.

This one is easiest. It requires no supplies, only an open heart, and an open mind. Whatever's on your mind, you can always vent to any higher power in which you believe.

Almost every decent hospital has a chaplain on call, so if you ever need a religious confident, ask your nurse about scheduling a visit. I've never done this before, but it should be an option wherever you are staying.

Hug someone.

Ask for a hug from your visitors if anyone is around, and if you're staying on your own, don't worry about it. Call your nurse, and he or she will gladly be your rock. You are not alone in this.

Take a short walk around your wing.

Permitted you are able-bodied, ask if you can take a short walk around your wing. Even getting out of that room for a few minutes can be a great relief. I remember my doctor ordered an in-patient MRI one evening, and I'd been in the same room for so long that I felt excited about it!

Suffice to say, getting some air can help you out.

Practice meditation and/or deep breathing.

Even if all else fails, you'll always have your breath in your control. I understand that you're probably stressed out, and it's easy to let your breath go crazy when you feel panicked. However, deep breathing can drastically reduce your pulse rate and minimize stress on your body. Try inhaling, holding your breath and exhaling. It can make a whole world of difference in your mental state and help you to calm down. If unrelated thoughts pass through, that's okay. Remind yourself that they are only thoughts and keep the same breathing pattern going.

On that note, remember to keep on going no matter what happens. The hospital is not a pleasant place to be. It's understandable to feel dejected and want to give up on fighting your health complications, but that's not an option. Always keep on fighting. No one ever said it would be easy, but you're all the more admirable for it.

Keep breathing, and keep going.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

153294
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

41474
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

36895
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments