A Guide to Better Sleep: How to rest well when you’re in pain

Many of us struggle with sleep — it’s a vicious cycle. You might lay down with the best intentions, and then, as the minutes pass by it becomes more and more stressful, thinking to yourself “Why aren’t I asleep yet?” which only ever keeps you up longer. Add to that the feelings of uncomfort or physical exhaustion and pain, and it doesn’t take long to start feeling burnt out in your everyday life.

Sleep is important for our general well being, both mentally and physically. When you’re recovering from an injury or living with chronic pain, sleep is even more important precisely because recovery calls for a strengthened mind-body relationship. Good sleep can help with this, but that also means poor sleep can hurt.