Dear Teapot Trust: It’s My First Hospital Sleepover and I’m Really Nervous - Any Tips? “Dear Teapot Trust, I've been into hospital in the day time lots because I have a chronic illness and have lots of appointments but I've never slept over. I'm about to have my first overnight stay in hospital and I am really nervous about it. What can I do to make it less scary?" From Sammy, age 14 From young people... Hi Sammy, We are a group of young adults and we have experience of chronic illness too 😊 We have stayed overnight in hospital lots of times – sometimes for just a night, and sometimes for much longer. It is normal to feel nervous, but it is okay. Here are some of our tips to help it go as well as possible... Things to keep you busy – time can move slowly when you are in the hospital, and having things to distract you and pass the time can be good. Some of our favourites are colouring books and pencils, simple puzzles, and films. Sometimes the WiFi is a bit rubbish so downloading some films or episodes before can be good. We always make sure to have some comfort watches that we have already seen lots of time. Sometimes they are children's films – that is nothing to be embarrassed about! Good but not Favourites - We find that sometimes the things we take to the hospital keep the smell and sometimes the memories of our time in the hospital. Because of this, we often take things that are good but not favourites. Like pyjamas that are comfy but not our all-time favourites, in case we can’t get the smell and feel of the hospital out of them. Does that make sense?! Something Special – it can be nice to have a pick me up if there are hard bits. Some of ours have been hot chocolate sachets, wrapping up a book we want to read to unwrap again, and asking a friend to write you a note to open while you are there. These little pick me ups make a real difference. It will be okay 😊 - Don't worry if you forget something, hospitals have lots of things! If you forget something, you can ask the ward if they have it, or ask a parent/carer to nip to the hospital shop for you. Don’t be scared to ask the staff questions or for things that would make you comfier. They want to help 😊 We hope your first time staying overnight goes well. We are sure it will 😊 All good things, Natalia, Ryan, Verity, Jessica, Hannah, Becky, Chloe, and Amber. The LUNA Project . From an art therapist... Hi Sammy, My name is Megan and I am an Art Therapist at Teapot Trust. I work with lots of children and young people, and feeling worried about spending the night in hospital is completely normal. Let’s think of some things to help make the experience better for you! My first piece of advice is to let the people around you know how you are feeling, if it is hard to say you could write a post card or note to give to your family or staff at the hospital. There are lots of ways that the people around you can help, but there are also things that you can do to feel more comfortable too. I think that when you spend time at hospital it is very helpful to have a bit of home with you. Before you go into hospital, find a bag or small box that you can decorate. You can decorate the outside with colours, words and pictures that remind you of home and then spend some time collecting things to go into your box or bag, maybe you could find something small from each room in your home? Now when you are in hospital you will have a little version of home with you! Another thing you could try is bringing some art materials with you and making a picture of a happy place to visit in your imagination. Close your eyes and imagine a special place where you feel safe and calm, it can be anywhere you like. For example it could be a beautiful beach, cosy in your bedroom or spending time with your pet. As you draw concentrate of the details of this place, what sounds would you hear? would you feel the sand on your feet or your dogs fur as you cuddle them? Making a picture like this can help us to give our minds a break from what is going on around us and to feel more relaxed. My final suggestion is to make a diary, either written or drawing. Imagine you are an explorer setting off on a huge adventure to the hospital. Start by planning your adventure, what will you pack? Can you draw a map of your journey to the hospital (and back home again!) Who will come on this adventure with you? Once you are at the hospital you can draw what happens and celebrate what you achieve, you could draw medals or rewards for yourself as you get through different parts of your hospital stay. Sometimes, new things or things we are not used to can make use feel worried and scared but there are ways to make ourselves feel better, having things around us that make use feel safe or happy, using our imaginations to help us to feel relaxed or making us a fun activity can help you to feel much better. I hope this helps, Sammy! Good luck with your hospital stay! From Megan, Teapot Trust Art Therapist . From a student children's nurse... Hi Sammy, I am a student children’s nurse who also has chronic illnesses, I have been in the hospital as both a patient and a nurse! Here are 10 tips for your first stay in the hospital: Talk to the play specialists, they will have lots of activities, movies and arts that you can use to help with distraction during your stay! If you forget anything, don’t be scared to ask the nurses for it, they have lots of resources and have most things you might need. Don’t be scared to ask for a snack, they will normally have lots of biscuits, crisps, fruit, etc that you can have! If you don’t like any of the options for dinner, some wards might have soup that you can have. It’s fine to bring a blanket/pillow in from home if that will make you more comfortable. Depending on your situation, you can ask to leave the ward for a walk/ to go to the hospital shop if you have an adult to accompany you! Earplugs / eye mask can be helpful as wards can be loud and bright places 24/7. If you have any regular medication that you are bringing with you, the nurses will take it off you and give it to you as part of their medication rounds. This can be a bit strange if you’re used to having it on you. Don’t be scared to use the call bell! It’s the best way to let the nurses know you need something, and they will be more than able to help! Some wards will be happy for you to come and visit the ward first if you’re feeling anxious, so definitely see if this is available! There is often information including financial help, visiting details and WiFi details for parents, however, this can sometimes be missed, so definitely ask for it if you don’t get any information! Hope the admission goes well! Becky Manage Cookie Preferences