Hospitals are filled with some of the most knowledgeable, caring professionals on the planet. Not only do they provide expert medical treatment and medical advice, but they’re an integral part of our care team.

Despite this, many of us have negative associations with these facilities. After all, most people only go there when something is wrong, and it can be especially stressful to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time.

Fortunately, there are many ways to make your experience a little more relaxing.

Sit back and read on because we’ve compiled four top tips to help you have a less stressful, more comfortable extended hospital stay. 

Bring A Stacked Travel Bag

If luck is ninety percent preparation, then you’re bound to feel pretty lucky with a well-packed travel bag.

Before anything else, make sure you’ve remembered your most comfortable clothes. Here are some of our favorites for keeping cozy in a new environment:

• Thick sweatpants 
• Soft blankets
• Fuzzy, colorful socks

While your facility might supply some top-notch hospital games, it doesn’t hurt to pack one of your favorites as well. Whether you like long-form strategy like Risk or the relaxing word gymnastics of a game like Scrabble, playing board games is a great way to pass the time and keep your mind in tip-top shape.

If you’re a movie buff, be sure to bring a laptop along with you to catch up on the classics that you haven’t quite got around to seeing yet. If your computer has a webcam, you can use Skype to chat face-to-face with a friend or relative thousands of miles away.

Finally, to make your stay really feel like home, be sure to bring some framed pictures. Surround yourself with images of your family, friends, and favorite memories. 

Go For A Walk

A delicious bite of a crisp apple. A refreshing glass of cold water. The first rays of the morning sun.

The best things in life are often the simplest. Take walking, for example.

Research shows that light physical activity is one of the best ways you can help your body recover during a hospital stay.

If you’re able, go for a short walk around the hospital premises. Get to know the nurses and physicians in different areas of the hospital, approaching each with a friendly nod and kind words. You can always create a sense of community no matter what environment you find yourself in.

Of course, there are countless ways to keep in shape from the comfort of your hospital room. Opt for some light yoga to maintain flexibility and become more in tune with your body. For light strength exercises, use resistance bands to work out your arms, legs, and chest.

Not only will these exercises help you recover faster, but they’ll ensure that you’re primed and ready for the outside world once you’re restored to full health.

Mindfulness And Meditation

In the twenty-first century, we’re starting to realize that mindfulness isn’t just for monks.

Countless studies demonstrate the ability of mindfulness practices to keep people grounded and relaxed during stressful situations.

One of the best ways to practice mindfulness is through a simple meditation routine. All that’s required is a bit of focus, introspection, and a few minutes of your time. 

Take a moment each day to look inwardly. Breathe deeply. Pay attention to your thoughts. Take note of what’s in your control and what’s not.

After a few days or weeks of concentrated meditation, you might find that you’re able to approach each new situation with slightly more patience and understanding than before. 

Of course, mindfulness can come in many forms. Opening up a journal and jotting down your thoughts each day can be a great way to get more acquainted with your inner monologue.

Just put pen to paper and reflect on how you’re feeling. There’s nothing quite so simple or rewarding in the world.

Have A Home-Cooked Meal

Even in challenging times, there are always three things to look forward to each day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

If your medical team allows you to eat outside of the scheduled hospital food, see if one of your loved ones can bring in a delicious home-cooked meal. Whether it’s a hearty egg breakfast, a piping-hot soup, or crunchy fresh vegetables, food has a unique knack for bringing us joy. The perfect bite can transport us back in time to a treasured memory with our favorite people.

If you need something to snack on between meals, you can’t go wrong with the always-convenient, always delicious EATBar. Layered with rich, melt-in-your-mouth meringue, this bar comes in four unique flavors such as decadent dark chocolate and delightfully tart lemon.

TheEATBar provides a boost of energy with calories you’ll actually look forward to eating, especially when the hospital food isn’t hitting the mark. Easy to chew and designed specifically for those with eating challenges, theEATBar is the perfect snack for eaters of all shapes, sizes, and abilities.

Grace, Patience, And Perseverance

Extended hospital stays aren’t exactly on anyone’s wish list. 

Fortunately, hospitals are filled with highly trained medical professionals who care deeply about our well-being, nursing us back to full health as soon as possible. 

The most we can ask of ourselves in these situations is to handle each new challenge the world throws at us with grace, patience, and perseverance. After all, there’s nothing we can’t overcome with our loved ones around to help us.

Remember to take a few moments each day to check in with yourself. What helps you feel most at home in a new environment? Maybe it’s a cozy quilt, a simple exercise routine, or a reliable, delicious snack like the EATBar. 

To make each bite taste even sweeter, use our discount code BLOG15 to get 15% off at checkout! 

While you’re waiting for your order to arrive, browse through our blog for more tips on eating habits, hospital stays, and how we fall in love with food a little more each day.