The Benefits of Being Active (Mobility) in the Hospital

A hospital stay is often needed when you are dealing with a medical problem or healing from surgery. During your stay, it's important to do some kind of physical activity or movement each day. Moving around in the hospital—from changing your position in bed to sitting up, standing, or walking—has real benefits for your overall health. It can help you to speed recovery time and regain more physical function. And it may help you to stay more independent when you leave the hospital.

Our bodies need movement to stay healthy. Lying in a hospital bed for too long can lead to a range of health problems such as:

• Pressure injuries.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Blood clots in your legs or your lungs.
• Pneumonia.
• Being less independent.
• Confusion.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Constipation.
• Bone loss.

Let your health care providers know from the start that you want to be as active as you can during your hospital stay. Ask them how they can help you do this. It's important to always talk with them first and not try to do something on your own. Your providers can tell you what kinds of movement or physical activity are best for you. And they will help you to do these things safely. If your hospital stay is planned for an elective surgery, ask your provider what type of exercises you can do at home to get as strong as possible before your hospital stay.

You may think that it's not possible to be active when you're in the hospital. But depending on your situation, there are some things you will be able to do. And even things that may seem small can have a positive effect on your health. Always talk with your health care providers first and get their help. Don't try to do something on your own.

Some of the things you may be able to do during your hospital stay include:

• Change your position when lying in bed.
• Sit up in bed.
• Transfer from the bed to a chair.
• Eat your meals in a chair instead of in bed.
• Stand up.
• Walk to the toilet or shower.
• Handle personal care tasks, such as going to the bathroom, showering, brushing your teeth, and dressing.
• Walk around your room or in the hallway, if possible.
• Take part in any type of exercise, including bed exercises, or physical therapy that is available.
• At discharge, you or your caretakers should know how to continue your exercises at home.

Every little bit of movement you can do during your hospital stay can have big benefits for your body. And it's good for your emotional health, too.

Adding activity can help you to:

• Regain muscle strength.
• Regain coordination.
• Make your body stronger.
• Improve your mood.
• Feel more confident.
• Be more independent.
• Feel more connected to other people.
• Reduce the risk of falls.
• Be discharged from the hospital earlier.
• Discharge to home instead of to a rehab center or assisted living facility.