Patients who are calm and relaxed before a surgery have a better overall experience.
There's nothing unusual about trepidation and anxiety before a medical procedure. Every medical intervention has risks, even routine ones. Invasive procedures can be particularly nerve wracking because despite their likely benefit, they accompany recovery which can be quite painful when surgical wounds are involved. Nonetheless, patients who are relaxed and confident do better in surgeries and procedures. More importantly, your anxiety only makes the whole experience worse. Take advantage of one of the many easy and practical ways to go into a medical procedure calm, cool and collected.
Instructions
1. Discuss the procedure in detail with your doctor or nurse and get the information and assurances you need. Some people can't relax until they have a firm, detailed understanding of everything involved. Don't be embarrassed to ask. Clinicians have a legal and ethical obligation to inform patients about their conditions and procedures.
2. Distract yourself with activities, thoughts and topics that have nothing to do with your procedure. Talk with friends and family, read books --- try to keep your mind occupied.
3. Listen to soft music or watch upbeat movies. Keep yourself entertained with sounds and sights that you find relaxing. Thanks to small, portable digital devices, you can usually continue this practice until very shortly before your procedure begins.
4. Meditate and breathe to clear your mind. Sometimes the best way to avoid anxiety is just to stop thinking. Let your stresses, worries and thoughts go. CDs, books and meditation courses can help you learn such techniques if you're not familiar.
5. Take a tranquilizer or anti-anxiety medication the night before and the morning of your procedure. Physicians frequently offer these to patients. Ask your doctor before taking medication to help you calm down as there could be a risk of drug interactions or other complications to your procedure.
6. Bring a friend or family member with you for support. It can be helpful to have someone sit with you in the waiting room or hospital room during the time leading up to your procedure. You may also find it comforting to know there's someone waiting for you to come out from your procedure.
