Better Sleep, Better Pain
Good quality sleep is an important part of coping with cancer, and an important part of coping with cancer pain.
Did you know that even one night of poor sleep can make your pain feel more intense the next day? And sleeping poorly on a regular basis not only makes pain worse, but it also makes it harder to cope with it. This whole sleep-pain connection also works in the opposite direction, making the problem a vicious cycle. Having pain can make it hard to fall asleep, it can wake you up at night, and it can prevent you from getting the good quality sleep you need to feel refreshed and cope with the day ahead.
Pain
More sleep problems
Sleep problems
Worsened pain
The good news is that changing some basic sleep habits can go a long way to improving your sleep quality and improving your pain. It can take time to make these changes and to notice a difference, and researchers have shown that they work.
Sleep techniques
Better pain
Sleep problems
Better
sleep
problems
Improved
worsened
pain
What can I do to sleep better?
Sleep is a very important part of managing pain and living a better life. Try a few of these tips (1-2 at a time) for a week or two and see if you notice a difference in how you’re sleeping Remember, it takes time! If you need more help with your sleep, consider talking to your doctor about your troubles.
Summary
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Keep a regular bedtime schedule and routine
Avoid things that keep you awake or disrupt your sleep cycle
Exercise during the daytime, if possible
Want to learn more?
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© Desiree R. Azizoddin, Board of Regents of University of Oklahoma, 2022.