Things to Bring to Make Your Hospital Stay More Comfortable

We don't always have the convenience of knowing when we are going to be hospitalized. But should there ever come a time when you know you will be staying overnight, there are a few things that could make your stay a little cozier.

It is always nice to have your very own pajamas. While you will be unable to wear them if you are going in to surgery, you should be able to change in to them when you are up and around. Depending on the type of surgery and the hospital, you may not be able to begin wearing your own jammies until you are more mobile.

Most hospitals will provide a pair of slipper socks that will keep your feet warm while also providing the grip strips on the bottom so you do not slip on the floor. You are certainly most welcome to bring your own socks or slippers from home. Chances are that your socks from home with be a higher quality and thus more comfortable.

The pillows in the hospital are often flat and also have a vinyl covering so that they are easy to clean in between patient use. The vinyl covering is often noisy and disturbing if you need rest for your recuperation. By all means, bring your own pillow and pillow case if you so wish. Just make sure that the hospital staff is aware that the pillow is yours. Heaven forbid you go for a walk in the halls and someone comes in to put new linens on your bed. They may accidentally replace your pillow case with a hospital one or, for some unknown reason, switch out your pillow.

If you have ever spent any amount of time in the hospital or even a doctor's office, you know that the reading material that they provide is sometimes very old and much worn. If you are in a semi-private room, there is more than likely only one television. Your roommate may be annoyed by the television or they may actually have control of it. In that case, it is a good idea to bring a book or some magazines of your own in with you.

Most hospitals provide a certain amount of toiletries, but these may not be to your liking. The hair brushes at the hospital that I work at gives out the natural boar bristle brushes that I, for one, despise. Aside from leaving incredible amounts of static in my hair, I do not think that they even brush through my hair! The only time that I have been in the hospital, I was sure to bring my own brush. The same goes for my toothbrush and toothpaste. I am very picky about what I put in my mouth.

Makeup is individualized. If you are perfectly comfortable without your makeup even knowing that you will probably have visitors, then do not waste the space it will take in your bag. I, on the other hand, am horrified to go anywhere without it. Not because I'm that vain, but because I have horrible skin and I am very self-conscious about it.

While the following may not make you more comfortable, it could save you some thinking time and it is actually a good idea to carry it in your billfold. Some hospitals with allow you to bring and use your own medications (with a doctor's order to do so). Even if you do not bring your meds, the nurses and doctors will want (really, need) to know what medications you take on a regular basis. This includes any herbal medications too. Many herbal medications will interact with synthetic medications. It is imperative that the doctors be told what you are taking so that they will not prescribe something that might have a reaction with what you are taking.

Having to stay in the hospital may be a very uncomfortable experience. There are several things that you can do to make your stay cozier. Just think of those things that you have at your home that makes you feel so good. Are these things important enough that you want to pack them up? You might be surprised to find out just how much better you will feel with them.