We all want to avoid spending too much (if any) time in hospitals, but sometimes you just can’t help the fact that you’re stuck there. After a five day stay following the birth of my first child, I came up with a few tips to make sleeping in hospital slightly easier.

1. 1.Pillows
   

Although some hospitals might be able to provide you with lots of nice comfy pillows, many won’t and if pillows make a real difference to how you sleep then this is an easy first step towards a better night’s sleep. Plus your own pillows instantly make the bed more homely and less institutional. Not all hospitals may allow this for hygiene reasons, but it’s definitely worth checking.

2. 2.Aromatherapy
   

If you can’t use your own pillows a little lavender oil dripped onto a hospital pillow can make your bed seem more sweet smelling (obviously) and add an extra comfort/pamper level to your bed. Alternatively spray a bit of your own perfume or aftershave to make the bed your own.

3. 3.Block Out The Light
   

Hospitals are too often over lit (from a sleeper’s perspective) so an eye mask can make a real difference. You may feel like a diva, but blocking out the ambient light in a ward at night is worth looking a little silly for. Also if you’re sleeping badly at night, an eye mask might make some daytime catnapping easier too.

4. 4.Privacy
   

Blocking out the rest of the ward - especially at bedtime can help you switch off and regain a sense of your own personal space -  so don’t worry about seeming rude, close the curtains and get your head down.

5. 5.  Be Prepared
   

There’s nothing worse than having to get up in the night (if you can help it) so make sure you have everything you need before you turn in. A jug of water, an empty bladder (!), a good book...whatever you need to make resting as relaxed as possible have it there by your bedside.