Tips to Help with Being on Bed Rest

This weekend my zeal and competitive spirit got the best of me on the golf course. It happened on the first hole. I teed up my ball and swung with good follow through. The ball landed just a little to the right of the fairway, but it was a good hit. As I brought my club down I knew something was wrong. I felt a pull in my back and the pain was excruciating. My husband helped me back to the cart and I was hopeful I could continue my game after a little rest; but when I went to get out of the cart again, just stepping my foot down on the ground was painful. Now a day or so later I'm lying down having been advised to remain on bed rest for a few days.

It's not my first time on bed rest (one time I was on bed rest for several weeks although not related to a golf injury), and I confess, I have never been a very good or obedient patient. This time I am working hard to follow instructions and am using my previous experiences to make this a more pleasant and tolerable recuperation time.

Following are some of the tips/concepts I'm using:

Being Organized Can Help Considerably While On Bed Rest

1. Make a list of things you'll need each day while on bed rest. Be sure to give this list to your spouse or caretaker. Some suggestions include a telephone, laptop computer, Kleenex and hand wipes.
2. Have your caretaker pack you both a snack and lunch for the day. These should be placed in an insulated lunch box/bag, and drinks put in a thermos to keep them either hot or cold. Don't forget to snack on wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts. Being inactive can slow down bowel function so it's important to ensure that you get lots of fiber in your diet.
3. Have a trash container near your bed. If you're a stickler for cleanliness, being on bed rest can be quite frustrating. Having a trash can nearby will allow you to throw things away and keep a little control of your living space.
4. Ask your caregiver to organize your medications and put them where you can easily reach them.

Plan Daily Activities While On Bed Rest

It's easy to just assume your day will come together, but it's better to plan ahead.

1. Study the television guide to see what shows will be airing. After all, it's no fun just flipping through channels or coming up on a movie that you'd like to see in the middle of it or towards the end.
2. Fill a storage container with some of your favorite activities. Some ideas include crossword puzzles, word searches, crochet/knitting projects, scrapbooks and books/magazines.
3. Rent some of your favorite movies.
4. Plan for some fun time in your day. I'd been to a birthday party for a four year old a few days before my injury. At the party we were given some party bubbles. I had a great time lying in bed making and trying to catch my bubbles. Some other fun items include coloring books, play doh and stretchy/putty toys.

Accept Help From Friends And Family While On Bed rest

Depending upon your personality, it may be difficult to accept help from others. Nonetheless, your recuperation time will go much more smoothly if you allow others to help out here and there. It's obvious that your parents or siblings may need to pick up the kids from school, etc., but there are other minor things that can make the experience easier. Consider the following:

1. Have a girlfriend come over to fix up your hair. It'll make a really big difference in how you feel.
2. If you're allowed to walk a little, have someone come over and walk around the house with you. A good back rub/massage, or rub down with a nice, fragrant lotion would also be quite nice while on bed rest.

Those not on strict bed rest may be allowed to sit up slightly. If this is your case, you should consider purchasing a bed rest pillow. This pillow will elevate you just a little making it easier to work on your computer, crafts, etc. Other ideas to make for an easier recuperation time include keeping fresh flowers in the room, opening blinds to let the sun in and wearing really comfy and cozy loungewear.