How To Sleep Better When Sick

sick woman

No matter how comfortable your bed may be, if you are sick it is difficult to get a good night's sleep. There are some things to can do to get a good night's sleep when sick. Here are some useful tips.

Shower Before Bed

A shower right before you get into bed will wash off all the germs and sweat you may have accumulated while sick. We change out clothes every day, but we don't wash our bedding every day. Because of this, it is important to remove as many of the germs from your body before laying down. The less germs there are in your bed the less likely you will be to re-contaminate yourself or your loved ones.

Another important reason for taking a hot shower before you go to sleep is that the steam from a hot shower will loosen your mucus and congestion. With your congestion loosened, you will be better able to breath clearly. Being able to breath easily is an important step in getting a solid night's sleep.

Elevate Your Head

Along with a steamy shower, keeping your head elevated will help with congestion and keep you breathing easier. When sick you should try to sleep on more pillows and keep your head elevated. This will allow gravity to help drain your sinuses.

Clean Your Nose

It's difficult to stress how important breathing is to sleeping well. Get rid of as much congestion as you can before you try to sleep. Blow your nose, and consider using a neti pot to clean out your sinuses.

Drink Lots Of Water

Whenever you are sick you must stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is just as important for when you are sleeping as for when you are awake. When you are sick and trying to sleep, you may end up overheating and sweating. Your body will need to stay well hydrated while sweating or else your sickness may get worse.

Waking up with a dry throat is unpleasant and can lead to coughing and irritation, ruining your sleep. You must drink enough to stay fully hydrated.

Cough Drops

Sleeping with an irritated throat can be impossible. If you are having coughing fits at night you will keep yourself and your loved ones awake. Try sucking on a cough drop right before bed.

Avoid cough drops while in bed. You don't want to fall asleep with one in your mouth. This is chocking hazard.

Another good idea is to gargle some salt water before bed. The salt water will looser mucus and sooth the inflammation that is likely causing your coughing.

Take Medicine

When you are sick your body needs to rest. This will allow you to focus all your energy on fighting off your sickness. Medicine will help you control your symptoms and allow your body the rest it needs. See a doctor and take the medicine the recommend.