Getting used to using your CPAP machine every night can be a challenge. Although it might be an adjustment at first, it’s worth it in the long-run as untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious damage on your heart, brain, kidney and more. These tips will help you get back on track to start sticking to your CPAP regimen.
Ease Into It
It’s easy to get discouraged after attempting to wear your CPAP mask all night and getting uncomfortable after the first 10 minutes. Start with small goals and work your way up to a full night wearing your mask. An easy way to ease into the CPAP process is to wear your mask during the day while you’re doing tasks at home. Once you slowly increase your time, you’ll be sleeping through the night with your mask on in no time.
Figure Out a Good Setup
With a little bit of trial and error, you’ll be able to figure out which setup works best for you at night. Many CPAP users modify their nightstand or use tube hooks to optimize their machine setup and make it easier to handle. After a few nights, you’ll notice a preference for small details like air temperature and comfort pads. Once you figure out the setup that works best for you, wearing your mask will be a piece of cake.
Record Your Sleep
When you’re the one sleeping, your sleep apnea might not seem too bad. In reality, your partner is probably losing precious sleep because of the loud symptoms. A good way to realize the immensity of your sleep apnea is to ask someone to record a sound byte of what you sound like when you sleep. You might just start to realize how important wearing your mask really is!
Find a Support System
Even if you don’t personally know anyone with sleep apnea, there are plenty of people to reach out to. It’s pretty simple with today’s technology to connect with others dealing with sleep apnea. Finding a couple of people and chatting with them about their experience can inspire you in your journey, too. They might have some helpful tips to share, too, about how they got used to wearing their CPAP mask.
Relax Before Bed
Many CPAP users meditate and practice relaxation techniques before bed to calm their minds. If using your CPAP machine is intimidating and scary, you’ll have trouble sleeping from the start. Try deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation or whatever works best for you before heading to bed.
Although using your CPAP machine isn’t the most exciting thing to do, try to remember why you’re doing so in the first place. Once you weigh the pros and cons, you’ll realize just how important it is to be consistent and make it a habit. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!