Coping with Pain Symptoms and Fatigue
We have all heard how important it is to get adequate sleep each night at one time or another…but why exactly is it so important, and how much is truly enough?
One of the most important things to think of and remember when it comes to sleep is that it is a refresh or reset for the body. Not only is it rest for the tired or sore muscles and joints, but also for the mind itself. Establishing a regular sleep schedule is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health in order to feel the full benefit of the reset, instead of always trying to play catch up.
Sleep is extra important for those coping with a pain condition, illness, or injury as the body and brain is working twice as hard throughout the day to carry out normal daily functions. Ensuring your body gets a regular amount of sleep each night, around the same time each night, can help the body and mind cope with the condition better throughout the day.
Important reasons that sleep plays a critical role in managing chronic pain & illness include:
- Sleep helps reduce pain sensitivity
Getting the right amount or enough sleep can help to reduce your pain sensitivity and therefore make it easier to manage chronic pain or illness. Whenever we are sleep deprived, our pain threshold decreases and our exhaustion and uncomfortable sensations rise which in turn increases the pain and symptoms we feel. - Sleep promotes healing and tissue repair
During the sleep cycle, the body repairs and regenerates tissues. This includes those that have been damaged due to chronic pain. Sleep can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing throughout the body, which allows our body to find a relaxing reset. - Sleep improves mood and reduces stress
Chronic pain or illness can be both mentally and physically taxing. Managing symptoms and keeping a positive outlook can be impossible without an adequate amount of sleep. Giving your body that chance to relax can help reduce your stress and help reduce your symptom severity. - Sleep improves cognitive function
Chronic pain or illness can interfere with and have effects on cognitive function. It can become difficult to concentrate, remember things and make decisions. Sleep can help improve cognitive performance which can then better help you manage your chronic pain or illness symptoms.
The importance of sleep and having a regular sleep schedule is extremely valuable to someone coping with chronic pain or illness symptoms, and should be managed appropriately. If you are in need of methods to help prevent insomnia, and get a restful sleep, it is important to speak with your doctor. Having a plan and schedule in place can help you reduce your stress and get to a point of healing much faster through the power of sleep!