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Original poster

Do you dream of being hospitalised?

207 replies

Rocknrollstar · 17/12/2025 15:52

I just read some research that said many women dream of being hospitalised with something relatively minor just for a few days. They see it as a way of being able to stay in bed and be looked after instead of running round after everyone else. And I thought it was only me! (Please bear in mind that not everyone can arrange a couple of days away).

OP posts:
AFingerofFudge · 17/12/2025 16:06

Not actually hospitalised, but when the kids were young and one of them in particular was extremely challenging, I used to think back to pre kids when I had to have an operation on my foot (day surgery) and got signed off work for a week but felt ok and so was relieved I got to temporarily step off the hamster wheel for a while.

MooPointCowsOpinion · 17/12/2025 16:10

Yes absolutely but the vision of being in hospital was idealised, as in: on a ward, comfy bed, SHORT visiting hours, no one screaming in pain around me, not understaffed…. So definitely a fantasy because a recent A&E trip with concussion was horrific, being there was worse than the concussion by miles, people bleeding profusely, so much vomiting, police handcuffing someone on the floor right there in the waiting room…
I get the fantasy though of finally getting rest and being cared for rather than being the person who cares for everyone all day and all night in a never ending, exhausting cycle.

The key is to take your power back and actively change what needs changing wherever possible, regardless of feelings of needing permission, or that it’s going to blow up your life. If you’re fantasising about escaping your life, it needs blowing up. Blow the entire thing up!

MeetTheBoss · 17/12/2025 16:10

Absolutely not. If I’ve ever need a break, I’ve had one. If that wasn’t possible, I still wouldn’t want to be in hospital, that’s quite a fucked up thing to wish for.

Yesimmoaningaboutbenefits · 17/12/2025 16:10

User415373 · 17/12/2025 16:04

I felt like this when I was a teacher. I would hope to have a minor car accident that would injure me enough to put me in hospital for a week or so, and without a laptop so they couldn't ask me to send in planning and drop the marking off at my house. So fucked up.
I quit teaching.

"The tree" - pit pony.

From the however many 100s of thousand members on the 'leave teaching and thrive' group, the majority have had "the tree".

HostaCentral · 17/12/2025 16:11

Absolutely NOT. Unless it is a beautiful and expensive private hospital with your own room and en suite.

Everyone recently who has been in an NHS hospital has checked themselves out against doctors orders. Wards are noisy, dirty, the food is crap, and it's just impossible to get any support. You'll probably catch something nasty. Much better at home. You will recover quicker.

catontheironingboard · 17/12/2025 16:14

No, because that’s based on a fantasy of what hospital was like in “the olden days”, and bears no relationship to what it’s actually like to be in hospital (if it ever did).

I am fortunate not to have needed so far a stay in hospital apart from in the maternity ward after DD was born (which was ghastly, tbh); but I have had several relatives and friends who I’ve supported when in hospital for eg. long term inpatient blood cancer treatment. It’s awful. No privacy, not very clean, noisy people in the other beds and bays, smells, sounds (no sleep because of obs every few hours), dreadful food, too hot, no-one ever around to help if you need it, general indignity and frustration. That’s just the start. People in hospital dream of going home to escape the noise and lights and the lack of dignity and the whole thing!

No way would I ever dream of staying in hospital as some kind of lovely respite from life. That idea belongs back in some kind of Call the Midwife cottage hospital fantasy world.

MooPointCowsOpinion · 17/12/2025 16:15

I have no idea what “the tree” is but I blew up my life by quitting teaching and am absolutely thriving now in comparison. No one of my former colleagues who left teaching regret it.

Upstartled · 17/12/2025 16:16

Rocknrollstar · 17/12/2025 15:52

I just read some research that said many women dream of being hospitalised with something relatively minor just for a few days. They see it as a way of being able to stay in bed and be looked after instead of running round after everyone else. And I thought it was only me! (Please bear in mind that not everyone can arrange a couple of days away).

God no. There's nothing quite like the sleep deprivation that comes with trying and failing to sleep on a ward with a whole battery of beeping machines, people being admitted in the middle of the night, staff pacing around and chatting and then if you do catch 40 winks - being woken up for checks.

Meadowfinch · 17/12/2025 16:17

No, but I'm single and only have DS and myself to care for. A doddle relative to some things I read on MN.

Also I've spent a week in women's surgical and mostly I remember it being too hot, too noisy, and craving a decent coffee and a good salad.

No disrespect to the NHS who saved my life that week but I prefer my own cool quiet bedroom, coffee and veggies given the choice. 😊

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 17/12/2025 16:17

God no! Hospital means noise and lights being switched on and off all night, no food or water because they forget to remove the nil by mouth note, constant COVID tests because the tablet where they recorded the last one didn’t upload properly (last time I was there anyway).
That said, I do remember enjoying going to the dentist because it was so nice not having any demands more complicated than sitting still with my mouth open, so I see where you are coming from.

TeaRoseTallulah · 17/12/2025 16:18

Clearly never actually been in hospital if they think they'll have a rest!

PodMom · 17/12/2025 16:19

TokyoSushi · 17/12/2025 15:59

Hospital, no, but something where I had to be on strict bed rest, just for few days, maybe...

Ha ha , totally. I had ankle operation once and a couple of weeks of Netflix and no work was bliss.

MightyGoldBear · 17/12/2025 16:21

I remember feeling such relief when I got admitted to hospital years ago and had a nurse actually ask me how I was. I cried. I felt rubbish and was so utterly burnt out. It felt so nice to receive some care. I did luck out and got put in a private room so it was a relatively calm experience.

I don't wish to be hospitalised but a break from all responsibility would be amazing. I completely understand the sentiment. I do have a husband who is very equal in sharing the load, he feels the same. It's the never ending responsibility of having children, house, work etc there just isn't the option to stop for a bit.

PegDope · 17/12/2025 16:24

The replies to this post highlight the lack of reading comprehension that seems rampant on here nowadays.

Yes OP I have fantasised about being in hospital just to have a break when I was utterly burnt out running my own business.

Nothing to do with the actually reality of hospitals nor the question of a supportive partner.

SparkleSpriteDust · 17/12/2025 16:24

Just book a spa!

User7854653 · 17/12/2025 16:27

Not hospital but I crave the feeling of being able to recuperate from a moderate health issue at home. One of the best times of my life since having DD was the 3 days following wisdom teeth surgery where she stayed with grandparents and I was able to rest and stay in bed during the day.

TheTowerAtMidnight · 17/12/2025 16:33

No, what a weird thing to wish for. I've never been in hospital (touch wood!) but it sounds more like a nightmare!

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/12/2025 16:36

At one point in my life I dreamed of this but having spent time in hospitals over the last 10 years I would now say no.
Even when I had a private room in a private hospital there were still staff in and out all the time. My room had opening windows but even getting fresh air wasn't enjoyable as I was next to one of Bristol's main roads and even when the traffic died down I could hear revellers walking home.

Oftenaddled · 17/12/2025 16:45

You need to upgrade that daydream and add a quick flight abroad - Sweden? Switzerland? - with appropriate travel insurance; or time shift a bit and get to a Convalescent Home.

Makes perfect sense at that point, and while it's not where I am now, I have had similar yearnings in the past when life was hectic.

Catpiece · 17/12/2025 16:47

northtea · 17/12/2025 15:55

No, that’s really weird. I’m not in a one sided relationship where I do everything though and if I want to have a nap I have a nap. Being in hospital is fucking horrendous.

Agree! What an odd and horrible thing to wish on yourself. I can do as much or as little as I like. If I want to watch tv in bed I can. No one kicks off. Weird

SockBanana · 17/12/2025 16:48

I'd recommend a private hospital for this dream. I now have private insurance through work, but when I didn't a few years ago I was transferred to private from NHS for a relatively minor procedure. I was in 24hrs and had no visitors (by choice). Food was great, private room, TV, loads of nurses. It was lovely 😆

RecordBreakers · 17/12/2025 16:48

No, but I will admit, pre 2020, I often used to day dream about having some reason to be made to stay at home, but for a reason where I wasn't incapacitated or feeling unwell..........

In my mind, I hoped that would give me a kick up the arse to crack on with all that needs doing in the house. Didn't work out quite like that, of course.

omggggggg · 17/12/2025 16:48

No that’s weird. Do you think you’d get any sleep in hospital? Plus you’d be expected to fend for yourself.

Sanasaaa · 17/12/2025 16:49

No. Who enjoys hanging out in hospital?

I don't run around after anyone though.

Clefable · 17/12/2025 16:49

No, as someone who does occasionally get hospitalised, it’s shit. You get fuck all sleep, there are sometimes people yakking up in the next cubicle while you try to eat your lunch, it’s noisy, the temperature is never comfortable, and it’s not relaxing in the slightest. Maybe if you are taking about some sort of luxury private hospital.