I have been hospitalized roughly 18 times now. I've had good and bad experiences, depending on the hospital. I have now found a great one, and refuse to go anywhere else.
For me, being in the hospital is like taking a break from life. No worries, no responsibilites. I can focus on just myself. I feel safe. There's always someone to talk to. I don't have to pretend, no "happy face", no mask. If I feel like crying, I can. Noone judges me. I can recharge, get my energy back.
I usually stay the mandatory 72 hours, but once I had to stay 10 days, in a different hospital,a fter trying to kill myself there. That time I was involuntarily admitted.