Summary: When people are in the hospital, they may feel anxious and stressed about how their illness is affecting their families. Or they may be struggling with feelings of helplessness or a sense of being out of control. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Donna Audia, a nurse on the pain management team at the University of Maryland Medical Center, offers specific ideas for family members who want to help a loved one who is in the hospital. These include relaxation techniques, such as music or meditation, as well as stress management suggestions, such as keeping a journal and yoga breathing. Audia also explains why nighttime is a particularly stressful time for many patients, and, in this interview with Sharon Boston, she explains why helping a patient to relax can be beneficial in helping the person to recover.
