What To Take When You Are Waiting At The Hospital

No one wants to spend any amount of time waiting at a hospital. Some waits are harder than others but none of them are easy. If you know advance, there are a few items that you can pack that might make you stay a little less uncomfortable, though.

• Something to keep warm – Whether that be a sweatshirt, a cardigan, or a soft pashmina wrap, waiting rooms have the tendency to feel downright arctic most of the time. And while we are on the topic, make sure all of your clothes are wrinkle-resistant and comfortable for a long day.
• Something to eat and drink – There are only so many cups of hospital coffee that one body should put up with. Make sure to take a refillable water bottle with you to stay hydrated. Also, throw in some portable and easy snacks such as whole fruit and almonds.
• Something to stay busy – You can bring your Kindle or your knitting or your crosswords, it does not really matter. Just something to keep your mind and fingers busy while you wait. Most hospitals have ready electrical outlets as well as    Wi-Fi so neither of those factors should be an issue.
• Something to stay in contact – Most of us keep our contacts in our cell phones, but just in case, make sure that you have a backup plan if you will be serving as the point of contact to any other friends and family.

Depending on the situation, you could end up carrying these items around for a while in addition to any personal effects so make sure that the bag you choose is comfortable to wear. I prefer a backpack because I can wear it easily and leave both of my hands-free.