Sleep, and breathing well
Two habits that matter most during a long illness
2 min readA fixed time beats a long night
Going to bed and waking at the same hours steadies blood pressure, appetite and mood more reliably than sleeping longer at irregular times. Daytime naps are fine if they are short and early.
If sleep is broken by needing the toilet repeatedly, by breathlessness when lying flat, or by pain, that is worth mentioning to a doctor rather than tolerating.
Keep the lower lungs open
Anyone spending long spells in bed loses air movement at the base of the lungs, which is how chest infections begin. Six slow, deep breaths, twice a day, prevents most of it.
Breathe in slowly through the nose until the lower ribs move outward, hold for a moment, then let it go gently. Sitting upright works far better than lying down.
General wellbeing guidance, not medical advice. Follow your doctor’s instructions for anything specific to the patient, and seek care urgently if you are worried.
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