Tips for Getting Sleep When You are Sick

Courtesy Unsplash Photo By: Benjamin Voros

Feeling nervous, anxious, and afraid can make it difficult to sleep. Also, feeling sick can make it tough to sleep at night. Often having background noise can help you feel distracted and feel relaxed to get enough sleep. Yet, when you are sick, you constantly interrupt your sleep due to a cough or blowing your nose. As well as having trouble going back to sleep because of sleeping too much during the day. 

Oversleeping can be normal when you are sick. However, it is best to consult with your doctor if you are sleeping too much, especially if you just want to be in your bed. Sometimes you might want to stay in bed and not do anything else due to depression, anxiety, or having too much fear. Having a traumatic event can also make you want to sleep with background noise. Nonetheless, seeking professional therapy can help you get enough sleep and manage your depression, anxieties, or fears. 

If you cannot sleep because of nasal congestion, it is recommended to have a humidifier. Make sure your humidifier has an automatic shut off button. It is also recommended to sleep on your side. Another tip is to use Peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil and massage it on your chest and back. This can help you breathe better and feel comfortable. 

Other essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Laurel leaf, Ravensara, Tea Tree, Lemon, and Lavender can be blended in a carrier oil to help you breathe better before you go to sleep. You can massage your feet and apply your essential oil to help you relax and reduce your nasal congestion. Elevate your head with an extra pillow and spray your pillow with an essential oil pillow spray mist. Spray eucalyptus pillow spray mist to help you reduce your nasal congestion. As well as making a warm bath with laurel leaf essential oil and chamomile oil with Epsom salts. 

Laurel leaf essential oil can be blended in an unscented lotion with orange essential oil, lemon essential oil, or other essential oils. This essential oil can help you breathe better and feel relaxed. Also, you can purchase an essential oil roll on and apply it on your arms one hour before going to sleep. Always evaluate a small area before applying the essential oils on your entire body. Wear comfortable pajamas and socks to keep you warm, especially if your room is too cold. 

Drink hot decaf tea four or five hours before going to sleep. Consume hot soup to help you feel better and to feel warm. Take the prescribed medications that your doctor prescribed to you. Ventilating your room, cleaning, and dusting your room can reduce coughing at night. If you have a headache from your cold, use a warm compress and a saline nasal spray. 

Practice mindfulness when you are sick so you can practice self-compassion and gentle positive self-talk. However, if you cannot practice mindfulness while you are sick; Be careful with your self-talk. Consult a therapist to help you relax and to reduce pessimistic comments towards yourself. Mindfulness can make you aware of how your body feels and your senses. Do not force yourself to feel comfortable when you are sick; Adjust your mindfulness technique to feel less discomfort before or going back to sleep. 

Getting to sleep when you are sick can be tough, but it can make you slow down and rest from your daily activities. You can practice self-care when you are sick and take naps if needed. Additionally, practice self-awareness and take care of yourself more when you are sick. If you have a fever that does not go down, seek medical care, and go to emergency. Here are websites with more tips to help you sleep with a cold or flu. 

Sleep Tips for a Cold or the Flu:

Sleep Tips for a Cold or the Flu

Sleeping When Sick: Can You Sleep Too Much:

Sleeping When Sick: Can You Sleep Too Much

Causes and Effects of Oversleeping:

Causes and Effects of Oversleeping

Sleeping When Sick: Benefits & How Much to Get:

Sleeping When Sick: Benefits & How Much to Get

* Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash