Have you just finished surgery and wondered, “what is prolonged bed rest?”
It may be extending your rest time in bed in your everyday life or after surgery, pregnancy, and other conditions.
But can this cause you harm? Once you have been curious about a particular thing.
You won’t be able to stop thinking about it.
What does this exactly mean? Does it have positive and negative effects?
Don’t worry. We’re here to help you out by answering those questions.
So, without further ado, just read on!
All About Prolonged Bed Rest
Being on bed rest means that you are resting on your bed, limiting your activities, or being monitored in the hospital.
In some cases, pregnancy, for example, your Ob-Gyne might put you on bed rest a month before the estimated date of labor.
The reason for this is to prevent vaginal bleeding, premature labor, and other possible complications.
However, is extending your bed rest essential for you?
We have prepared some helpful information you need to know regarding the topic, “what is prolonged bed rest?”
Positive effects of prolonged bed rest
Let’s start with the advantages of extending your bed rest.
Having more quality time with yourself and your bed can be so beneficial, do you agree?
So, here are the positive effects of prolonged bed rest.
#1. Heal physically and mentally
Have you ever experienced calling your boss saying that you’ll take a day off saying that you’re on bed rest?
Like you’re sick or something.
Well, sometimes we need a day for ourselves and rest.
You might need this one to think better.
Some people claim that they’re on bed rest to regain peace in their minds and solve their problems.
Meanwhile, if you just got out of the hospital from surgery or labor.
Sometimes, you need to lengthen your bed rest.
For example, you still experience numbness in the operated part.
You’ll surely need a day or two for this to heal properly.
#2. Reassurance of no complications
Your bed rest is sometimes extended for a couple of days as prescribed by your doctor.
Healthcare professionals need to monitor you closely before, during, and after the surgery.
This routine is to make sure that there will be no complications.
They might notice something different in your lab tests, metabolic movement, and many more.
Because of this, they want to provide you comfort and reassure you that they will be sending you home with no worries.
#3. More time to do things
Being on bed rest means you’ve got plenty of time.
You can explore more activities and find new hobbies
like weaving, sewing, dancing, and many more.
If you don’t know where to start, click here!
Negative effects of prolonged bed rest
We all should remember that too much is too much.
Spending more time in bed would result in detrimental effects on your physical and psychological health.
#4. Muscle weakness and joint stiffness
I have experienced this whenever I spend most of my time scrolling through my phone while lying on the bed.
It makes me unproductive throughout the day, and I couldn’t get any of my tasks done!
Both these parts of the muscular system will be affected if you have less movement and exercise.
Muscles need oxygen and nutrients for them to work well.
These materials won’t reach the muscle cells if you keep on resting on the bed.
So, get some fresh air and supply your muscles with enough oxygen.
#5. Reduced metabolic rate
Without enough exercise and bodily movement, your metabolic processes will also function slowly.
Getting used to lying on your bed would make you lazier than the past few days.
And prolonged bed rest can be linked to a reduced sense of taste and smell.
These will affect your appetite.
You will eventually reach that feeling where you are too tired to make and consume your food.
Moreover, you won’t be able to provide your body enough nutrients for other processes to function.
That could lead to more severe health problems!
#6. Psychological health problems
As mentioned earlier, bed rest allows you to have quality time with yourself and reflect on some things.
This rest is good for your mental health.
But too much bed rest would cause some serious psychological problems.
They say that you cannot maximize the effects of a particular thing if you’re dependent on it.
You may experience sensory deprivation, which could lead to aggressiveness, depression, and anxiety.
Because of less interaction with other people and the environment.
You could have reduced psychosocial and environmental stimuli.
#7. Nervous system malfunction
Prolonged bed rest would make you feel empty as you lie on your bed thinking about nothing or about a hundred things.
It is also associated with sensorimotor dysfunction, which results in postural instability and decreased sense of balance.
Once you get up, you will feel very dizzy.
Together with this and reduced muscle strength, there’s a high chance that you might fall and lose balance.
To prevent this from happening, you might want to get up and start regaining strength.
Conclusion
And that is all the information you need to know about “what is prolonged bed rest.”
It has both positive and negative effects on your body.
But what do you prioritize more?
To have more time reflecting about life or your physical and psychological health?
That depends on you.