Difficulty sleeping

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for maintaining your energy levels, reducing fatigue, and improving mood. Difficulty sleeping may be caused by pain, breathlessness, anxiety or depression. Some medicines can also disrupt sleep. If you already had sleep problems before the lung cancer diagnosis, these can become worse.

Talk to your doctor about what might be helpful for you. Your medicines may need adjusting or sleep medicines may be an option. There are also a number of strategies that other people with cancer have found helpful.

Listen to our podcast on Sleep and Cancer.

Getting a better night’s sleep

• Try to do some gentle physical activity every This will help you sleep better. Talk to a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist, who can tailor an exercise program, and an occupational therapist, who can suggest equipment to help you move safely. For more on this, see Exercise for people living with cancer or call 13 11 20 to find out about exercise programs.
• Limit or cut out the use of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and spicy food.
• Avoid using technology, such as television, computers or smartphones, before bed, as the light tells your body it’s time to wake up.
• Follow a regular routine before bed and set up a calm sleeping environment. Ensure the room is dark, quiet and a comfortable temperature.
• Try listening to gentle music,a recording of rain sounds, or a relaxation recording.