How To Improve Sleep Quality in Hospital
A good night’s sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being, but it becomes even more important during a hospital stay. Sleep plays a vital role in helping the body heal, strengthening the immune system, supporting cognitive function, and improving overall recovery. Yet, for many patients, getting quality rest in hospital can be challenging.
According to St John Ambulance, studies show that sleep deficiency changes activity in some parts of the brain and therefore, if you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behaviour, and coping with change.
Do You Need More Sleep During a Hospital Stay?
Yes, you do need more sleep during a hospital stay as it plays a key role in the body’s natural healing and recovery processes. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, illness, or an injury, your body often needs more rest than usual to repair itself effectively.
During sleep, the body repairs damaged tissues, regulates hormones, strengthens the immune system, and supports brain function. One of the most important stages of sleep for recovery is Stage 3 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, often referred to as deep sleep. This stage typically occurs several times throughout the night as part of the normal sleep cycle.
Deep sleep is when the body releases higher levels of growth hormone, which is essential for repairing muscles, tissues, and cells. Blood flow to the muscles also increases during this stage, helping to deliver oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. At the same time, the immune system produces proteins called cytokines, which help the body fight infection and reduce inflammation.
When sleep is disrupted or insufficient, these vital healing processes become less effective. Sleep deprivation can increase stress hormone levels, weaken immune function, and prolong inflammation, all of which may slow recovery and leave patients feeling more fatigued.
While medical treatment is significant to recovery, quality sleep is an important part of the healing process. Creating an environment that supports restful, uninterrupted sleep can help patients feel more comfortable and support their overall well-being during their hospital stay.
Poor sleep has been linked to:
– Slower wound healing
– Increased sensitivity to pain
– Reduced immune response
– Higher stress. depression, and anxiety levels
– Impaired concentration and mood
– Delayed recovery
According to Hopkins Medicine, chronic sleep can increase the likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate.
While medical treatment remains the priority, creating an environment that supports restorative sleep can significantly enhance the patient experience and recovery.
Why Do Hospital Patients Struggle to Sleep?
Hospitals are busy environments that operate around the clock. Although healthcare professionals work hard to balance patient care with comfort, several factors can make uninterrupted sleep difficult.
1. Noise
Hospitals are rarely silent. Monitor alarms, conversations, trolleys moving through corridors, telephones, and other patients can all contribute to disturbed sleep. Even low levels of noise throughout the night can interrupt the natural sleep cycle.
2. Frequent Clinical Observations
Many patients require regular monitoring, medication administration, or vital sign checks during the night. While these interventions are essential for patient safety, they can result in repeated awakenings.
3. Pain and Discomfort
Pain is one of the most common reasons patients struggle to sleep. Post-operative discomfort, chronic conditions, or injury can make finding a comfortable sleeping position difficult.
4. Unfamiliar Environment
Sleeping away from home can feel unsettling. Different lighting, unfamiliar sounds, new routines, and shared wards may all contribute to poor sleep quality.
5. Anxiety and Stress
Hospital admissions often bring uncertainty. Concerns about treatment, test results, surgery, or family responsibilities can increase stress levels, making it harder to relax and fall asleep.
6. Lighting
Artificial lighting, hallway illumination, and routine overnight care can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, particularly when lights remain on throughout the evening.
7. Temperature
A room that feels too warm or too cold can prevent restful sleep. Individual comfort preferences vary, making temperature management an important consideration.
How to Improve Sleep Quality in Hospital
Although some disruptions are unavoidable, there are many ways hospitals can help patients achieve better quality rest.
1. Invest in comfortable bedding
Hospital bedding plays an important role in patient comfort. Soft, breathable bed linen helps regulate body temperature while providing a more comfortable sleeping environment.
High-quality sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and duvets can improve overall comfort without compromising durability or infection prevention standards.
As trusted wholesale bedding suppliers to NHS hospitals and contract laundries, we provide durable, flame-retardant, and specialist bedding solutions that comply with British Standard guidelines.
2. Use a supportive pillow
A supportive pillow helps maintain proper neck and spinal alignment, reducing discomfort throughout the night. Different patients have different needs, so offering suitable pillow options can improve sleep quality and overall satisfaction.
Take a look at our range of pillows on our website, or our blog page where we talk about the differences of each pillow we offer to help you find the right fit.
At Interweave, you will find a wide range of hospital pillows that we supply to NHS hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and clinics. These are also available for you to buy online.
3. Maintain a comfortable room temperature
Keeping patient rooms at an appropriate temperature helps prevent overheating or feeling too cold during the night. Breathable bedding and appropriate duvets can also help regulate body temperature.
Available in three weight options – Lightweight, Medium, and Heavyweight – our thermal throws allow for seasonal flexibility. Use lighter throws in warmer months or layer up for extra warmth when needed.
4. Reduce light where possible
Wearing a comfortable eye mask can help block out unwanted light and encourage the body’s natural production of melatonin—the hormone that regulates sleep.
5. Bring home comforts
Hospitals can feel unfamiliar, which may make it harder to relax and fall asleep. Bringing a few comforting items from home can help create a more familiar and reassuring environment.
Consider packing items such as:
– A favourite blanket
– Comfortable nightwear
– Slippers or cosy socks
– A book to help you unwind
– Photo frame of loved ones
6. Reduce noise where possible
Simple measures can make a noticeable difference, including:
– Wear earplugs if they are suitable for your care.
– Use headphones to listen to calming music, white noise, or guided relaxation before bed.
– Close the curtain around your bed (where available) to create a greater sense of privacy and reduce distractions.
– Let nursing staff know if noise is preventing you from sleeping—they may be able to help where possible.
– Silence or reduce the volume of personal devices, such as mobile phones or tablets, during the evening.
– Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help you focus less on background noise and drift off more easily.
Supporting better recovery through better sleep
Sleep should be viewed as an important part of patient recovery rather than simply a period of rest. By addressing common causes of sleep disruption and providing comfortable, high-quality bedding, hospitals can create an environment that supports healing, wellbeing, and patient satisfaction.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/health-risks-of-poor-sleep
https://www.primesurgicalsuites.com/blog/injury-recovery-why-sleep-is-so-important
https://shop.sja.org.uk/blogs/workplace-first-aid/the-role-of-sleep-in-mental-health-tips-for-better-rest-and-recovery
