The quality of your sleep can affect pain intensity quite dramatically.
If you are experiencing pain consider experimenting with the following:
- Body temperature. Being able to grade the amount of bedding using blankets can ensure you get the temperature right.
- A completely dark bedroom. Blocking out any chinks of light around curtains/blinds will help your internal body clock prepare for sleep.
- Number of hours. Most people suffering pain tend to need more sleep, but others can find deliberate deprivation will help their pain.
- Your body clock. Consider retiring at an earlier or later time. Apps which monitor your sleep cycle maybe helpful here. eg. ‘AutoSleep’.
- Napping during the day. More than 20 minutes tends not to be helpful.
- Rumination (ie. churning over thoughts trying to find solutions) is highly problematic.
Distraction can work. Reading (non-stimulating fiction best) or visualizing your ‘happy place’. Other techniques require a more in-depth explanation which we can help you with. - Severe insomnia can be safely treated with a range of non-addictive medicines. Ask your doctor if it’s appropriate for your situation.