Getting a good night’s sleep is important for maintaining your energy levels, reducing fatigue and improving your mood. Pain, breathlessness, anxiety, depression and some medicines can make it hard to sleep. If you already had sleep problems before the lung cancer diagnosis, these could become worse.
Talk to your doctor about what might help improve your ability to sleep. Your medicines may need adjusting, or sleep medicines may be an option. Talking to a counsellor may help if you are feeling anxious or depressed. Some strategies that people with cancer have found helpful are listed below.
Getting a better night’s sleep
- Try to do some gentle physical activity every day. Exercising may help you to sleep better. An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program for you. Learn more about exercise for people living with cancer and watch the video below.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and spicy food.
- Avoid watching television or looking at a computer, smartphone or tablet before bed, as the blue light may tell your body it’s time to wake up.
- Follow a regular routine before bed and ensure the room is dark, quiet and a comfortable temperature.
- Try soothing music, a recording of rain sounds, or a relaxation recording.
- Listen to our podcasts on sleep and relaxation and meditation.
→ READ MORE: Life after treatment
Podcast: Sleep and Cancer
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
Video: Exercise and Cancer
Dr Malinda Itchins, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Cynleen Kai, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, VIC; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital, Epworth Richmond, and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Helen Benny, Consumer; Dr Rachael Dodd, Senior Research Fellow, The Daffodil Centre, NSW; Kim Greco, Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Marco Salvador, Consumer; Janene Shelton, Lung Foundation Australia – Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse, Darling Downs Health, QLD; Prof Emily Stone, Respiratory Physician, Department of Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplantation, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Marianne Weber, Stream Lead, Lung Cancer Policy and Evaluation, The Daffodil Centre, NSW.
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