Home Recovery – Exercises to Get You Back on Your Feet After A Hospital Stay

Your life has been interrupted by a serious health problem. You may be feeling discouraged, worried, or depressed. It’s normal to have these feelings. But with time, these emotions will fade.

Right now, though, you need help. Maybe you can’t work, or you can’t sleep, or you have pain that keeps you awake. Your life has changed, and it is hard to know how things will go back to the way they used to be.

The good news is that feeling like this is a very common experience. After a hospital stay, you may worry that your mobility will be limited. These exercises will help you regain your strength and help you move with more confidence. Practice each exercise 5 to 10 times, then move on to the next one.

• Standing against a wall (for balance): Stand with your feet together, knees straight, back straight, and shoulders relaxed. Place your arms at your sides, hands shoulder-width apart. Slowly raise your arms until they are in line with your shoulders (without pushing your back or shoulders up). Lower your arms.
• Side stretch: Stand with your left foot about 3 feet (1 meter) in front of your right and your right hip about 3 feet (1 meter) wider than your left. Bend your right knee and bring your right heel as close to your right buttock as possible. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
• When you are sitting down, place your feet flat on the floor, with your toes turned slightly in. This keep your pelvis from shifting and helps you to stay upright. Do exercises that use your large muscles. Sit up straight and pull your arms and legs straight out in front of you. Then bend your arms and bring your hands together in front of you. Do the same with your legs.