Prepare your hospital stay

The worst part about hospital is that it can be B-O-R-I-N-G. If you have to stay in for long stretches of time, you're going to need to pack the real essentials, have plenty of entertainment on hand and learn how to look after yourself on the ward.

PACKING THE ESSENTIALS

Ok, so hospital packing isn’t exactly holiday packing but it’s similar in principle. You need stuff for comfort, stuff to keep you connected and stuff to combat the boredom. These are some of the things that other people said were vital to their hospital stays.

Something snuggly for your feet like slippers or slipper socks
Comfortable clothes like baggy t-shirts and joggers
Smartphone or tablet. Download an array of games, apps, digital books or podcasts to keep you busy
Charger. Never forget the charger
Puzzle and activity books. Mindfulness colouring books are so the rage right now
Favourite snacks or drinks
Headphones to listen to videos, music, audiobooks or podcasts – if you’re listening on a smart device, pre-download them or make them available offline in case you have problems with the internet connection in hospital
Or go retro with an MP3 player, hand-held games console or portable DVD player
Essential toiletries. Moisturisers, hand cream and lip balm can be especially handy
Notebook and pen
Some cash in case there’s anything you need from the shops – or you fancy a decent coffee!
Books and magazines
Photos or anything precious you want to have near you – especially something that makes you smile.

BOREDOM-BUSTING ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT

Being in hospital can be very tedious. It’s normal to want to switch off. You might not think it but boredom can actually affect your mood and make you feel low. While it’s important to allow your body to rest, keeping your brain active will give you something positive to focus on.

Here are a few ways to beat your clock-watching urges:

Stay connected through technology

Many hospitals offer now free wifi access so you can stay connected to friends through email or continue your social media pursuits if you parents agree with it. With access to websites like Netflix or Hulu, you can pick a new TV series and start at season one.

Invite visitors

Let friends and family visit often. They can cheer you up, make you laugh and bring you stuff from home that you normally enjoy such as magazines, board games, cards or video games.

Learn a new trade

Knitting, painting, arts and crafts, music therapy and meditation techniques. Learn to paint or make beaded jewelry and key chains for instance.

Socialize with other patients

Ask your nurse if he or she can set up an activity for you with other patients of the same age or diagnosis. If you are feeling well enough, you can also talk to other families and patients in common areas.

Join a support group or class

Various support groups and programs are offered and some hospitals provide complimentary beauty sessions to cancer patients. Check out with your nurse the possibilities.

Source: www.clicsargent.org.uk and www.roswellpark.org

La Fondation La Roche-Posay and CCI make every effort to ensure that information provided is accurate and up-to-date at time of printing. We do not accept responsibility for information provided by third parties, including those referred to or signposted to in this publication. Information in this publication should be used to supplement appropriate professional or other advice specific to your circumstances.