• "I'll get better faster if I stay in bed to rest."
  • Studies show that patients who are more active in the hospital tend to have shorter stays (Liu, et al., 2018)

• "It's not safe for me to get out of bed."
  • Staying in bed is a health risk. Rarely is it not safe for a patient to move at all.
    Talk to your health-care team about what you can do safely.

• "I'm not supposed to do my personal care, such as washing or dressing."
  • Doing or helping as much as you can with your personal care is a great way to add some movement to your day.
    Learn more about how you can use your regular routine to get moving.

Your body will thank you for getting out of bed at the hospital. Being more active can improve your:

Brain health:

• Less confusion and dizziness
• Give you better sleep & mood

Skin health:

• Prevent skin problems like pressure injuries (bed sores)

Lung health:

• Improve your breathing
• Fight infections better

Stomach health:

• Improve your appetite
• Lower your risk of choking
• Help with constipation

Heart health:

• Improve your circulation
• Improve your blood pressure

Muscle and bone health:

• Keep your strength
• Prevent injuries from falls
• Reduce joint stiffness

Move early and often during your hospital stay to help you recover. Try to do at least three moving activities each day.

Sit in a chair at all mealtimes. Stay sitting up for 30 minutes after all meals. Learn how to get moving in hospital using your everyday routine.

Do simple exercises on your own throughout the day.

Use these energy conservation tips to make sure you have energy to keep moving.