Sleeping With Chronic Pain: What Helped Make My Bedroom More Comfortable

Tips For A Better Nights Sleep When you Suffer from Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain changed sleep for me. Getting into bed no longer meant being able to get comfortable and drift off. Instead, I would find myself moving around, trying to find a position where the pain felt bearable enough to let me settle.

When I first wrote about this, I had been living with chronic pain for around two years and had received a spinal disease diagnosis. Creating a comfortable, cosy bedroom had become much more important.

There were four things I wanted to focus on: the bed frame, the mattress, my pillow and the temperature.

A bed frame that felt stable

When you struggle to get comfortable, there can be a lot of fidgeting before you finally settle. That was certainly the case for me.

I wanted a solid bed frame that would not creak or move every time I changed position. Something that felt steady underneath me while I tried to find a comfortable way to lie.

I was also considering different bed bases. One question I had was: do I need a box spring?

It was something I wanted to understand before buying anything. The important starting point is checking which type of base is suitable for your particular mattress, rather than assuming every bed needs the same setup.

A mattress that felt comfortable for me

Switching from a sprung mattress to a memory foam mattress made a real difference to how comfortable I felt in bed.

I liked the way it moulded around my body and allowed me to sink in slightly. For me, that helped ease the feeling of pressure in certain places and made it easier to find a comfortable position.

It did not take my chronic pain away, but feeling more supported made a difference.

Mattresses are such a personal choice. What suited my body will not necessarily suit someone else, so I would not describe one type as the answer for everyone with back pain.

Finding a pillow that suited me

There is nothing pleasant about waking up with a crick in your neck, especially when you are already dealing with pain.

At the time, I used a feather pillow and found it comfortable when sleeping on my back. My head could sink into it a little while still feeling supported.

I was also considering a body pillow for those restless nights when I struggled to settle. I had not tried one when I wrote the original post, so it was still something I was looking into.

For me, comfort mattered more than finding a pillow with lots of promises attached to it.

Being prepared for hot and cold nights

Temperature was another part of the puzzle.

Alongside chronic pain, I was experiencing perimenopause. Some nights I felt hot and uncomfortable, particularly during a flare, and having a fan in the bedroom helped.

At other times, my feet and legs felt very cold. On those nights, warm socks and a cosy quilt were welcome.

I also kept a sheet available for warmer nights. Having different options meant I could adjust my bedding to how I felt, rather than expecting the same arrangement to work every night.

I have shared more about choosing bedding for the bedroom, including the practical details and personal preferences that mattered to me.

Making bedtime a little more comfortable

These changes helped me make my bedroom a more comfortable place to rest.

A steady bed, a mattress I liked, a pillow that suited me and bedding for different temperatures each played a part. They did not remove my pain, but they helped me feel more comfortable while trying to settle.

When sleep becomes difficult, those everyday details can mean a lot.

What helps you get comfortable at night when you are living with chronic pain?