Every day with chronic illness looks different.
Some days are good (relatively speaking). Some days are bad. And some days are really bad.
With chronic illness, you could find me bed-bound on any of those days.
It might be a “good” day where I’m recovering and soaking in feeling somewhat normal. It might be a “bad” day where I don’t feel great and I’m trying to prevent it from turning into something worse. Or it might be one of those really bad days — where rolling over feels like a marathon and getting out of bed feels completely out of reach.
Whether I want to or not, I spend a fair amount of time in bed. Over time, I’ve gathered little things that make that time softer, more comfortable, and a little more pleasant. These aren’t miracle cures. They don’t fix my body. But they do make the experience of resting feel more supported.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only share things I genuinely use and love. Nothing here is about buying everything. It’s about finding the little things that make your hard days easier.
Creating a Cozy, Supportive Bed Setup
When I’m stuck in bed, my environment matters so much. If I’m going to be here, I want it to feel intentional — not like I’ve been banished to it.
Comforter (Oversized + Duvet Trick)
My husband sleeps super hot and I am always freezing. Somehow this comforter keeps him cool and me warm throughout the night.
Pro tip: when you buy a comforter and duvet cover, buy different sizes. Our duvet cover is a king and our comforter is an oversized king. That little size difference makes your bed look extra fluffy and cushy — which makes bed nest building elite-tier.
Duvet Cover
This adds a pop of color and makes washing away layers of cat hair way easier than washing the whole comforter. This one has held up beautifully to cat nails and has plenty of tie points so the comforter doesn’t bunch up inside.
Bamboo Sheets
These are so soft and cooling that I will unfortunately never return to any other kind of sheet. They help regulate temperature (which is huge for me with POTS) and make getting into bed feel like a small luxury instead of defeat.
Silk Pillowcases
I wanted the silk pillowcase hype to not be true… but it is. They’re gentler on my skin and hair, and when I’m spending long stretches in bed, that actually matters. These are a great middle-ground price-wise compared to some very expensive options out there.
King Size Pillows
I somehow didn’t realize king-size pillows existed until recently. They’re amazing. They’re so long that when you roll over, you don’t have to drag your pillow with you. I use them decoratively and also when I’m building my “bed nest.” They’re fluffy, supportive, and wonderful.
Throw Pillows
Fluffy little pillows are great for decor and for nest building. They add structure and support when I need to prop myself up. Also, as the name suggests, they are excellent for gently throwing at cats when necessary.
Throw Pillow Covers
These throw pillow covers are so cute and add a nice pop of texture to our bed setup.
Staying Warm (or Regulating Temperature)
Temperature regulation with POTS is chaotic at best. These help me stay comfortable instead of constantly adjusting.
Heated Bed Pad (Dual-Sided)
This is one of my favorite things. It’s dual-sided and has separate controls for body and feet. My husband sleeps hot and I’m always freezing, so this lets me warm up without turning our bedroom into a sauna. Especially helpful when my feet are ice blocks but the rest of me feels overheated.
Fluffy Blanket
This blanket is unbelievably soft and perfect for layering when I’m freezing. It also doubles as a cat magnet.
Bamboo Pajamas
Like the sheets, these are soft and cooling. They’re breathable but still cozy, and I genuinely could live in them. Sometimes I do.
Making Bed Feel Functional (Not Just Where I’m Stuck)
On bed-bound days, I still need to function: hydrate, take meds, work, scroll, watch, exist.
Tablet Stand
I’m newer to this (my grandma got me one), but I love it. On really bad days, I prop my tablet up and pretend it’s a TV and I’ve made it out to the living room. It makes being in bed feel less like I’m trapped and more like I’m choosing to rest.
Amazon Alexa
This is incredible for really bad days when getting up to turn a light on or off feels impossible. I use it to control lights and to play ambient noise. It’s one of those small accessibility tools that removes friction.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Usually when I’m in bed I use speakers so I can roll around freely. But some days I like to pretend I’m simply relaxing — not recovering — and listening to music with headphones makes that feel intentional and immersive.
Pink Migraine Glasses
When I’m not feeling great and getting a lot of screen time in, these help so much with eye strain and fatigue. They take the harsh edge off bright light and make scrolling, watching, or working from bed feel more manageable. On headache or migraine days especially, they’re one of those small things that noticeably reduces the intensity and helps me rest without completely disconnecting.
Owala Water Bottle
Hydration is important whether you’re chronically ill or not — even if you’re just in bed. I love this bottle because it has both a straw and a sip spout and is spill-proof (important when you have cats).
Oura Ring
I LOVE this for tracking my sleep and health data. Sometimes my Oura Ring is the reason I’m in bed in the first place. It’s incredible at flagging warning signs — major or minor — and reminding me to rest.
As someone who tends to push through, suffer in silence, and gaslight myself into feeling “fine,” having actual data backing up how I feel has helped me learn to listen to my body.
Keeping Things Within Reach
Doing literally anything is harder when you are in a flare or not feeling well. Having things within reach and organized so you aren't digging for it is so helpful.
Multi-Medication Holder
This holds multiple medications and I keep one on my nightstand and one on my crash cart. When you feel awful — especially with a migraine — digging through individual prescription bottles is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Having everything accessible is a game changer.
Glasses Holder
I have cats. I have glasses. Therefore, I have a glasses holder. This one is super cute and lives on my nightstand so I’m not fumbling around under the bed looking for my missing glasses.
Small Luxuries That Make It Feel Less Miserable
When things suck, a little luxury can shift the tone of the day.
Neom Massage Oil Candle
This candle smells incredible and melts into a hydrating massage oil. It’s definitely a splurge, but on days when everything feels hard, lighting something beautiful and adding a little warmth to my skin feels grounding and indulgent in the best way.