Pain is not only about muscles and joints. How well you sleep and how stressed you feel can both change how sensitive your body is to pain. Now that yours has eased, looking after these areas can help it stay that way.

How sleep and pain are linked

When you sleep well, your body has time to recover. When sleep is short or broken, many people notice they feel achier and more sensitive the next day. Research suggests the link works both ways. Poor sleep can make pain feel worse, and pain can make sleep harder.

Small ways to protect your sleep

Options include:

• Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time each day.
• Winding down for 30 minutes before bed, away from screens.
• Keeping your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.

You do not need to change everything at once. Picking one thing to try this week is a good start.

Why stress matters too

When you feel stressed, your body can hold more tension, often in your neck, shoulders and jaw. This can make you more likely to notice aches. Stress is part of life, so the aim is not to remove it but to give your body chances to let go.

Easy ways to let tension go

You could try a few slow breaths during the day, breathing in through your nose and letting the out-breath be a little longer. A short walk outside, time with people you enjoy, or a hobby that absorbs you can all help your body settle.

Your checklist

• Keep a regular sleep and wake time.
• Give yourself 30 minutes to wind down before bed.
• Take a few slow breaths when you feel tense.
• Make time for something you enjoy each week.

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