Stress Management Techniques For Your Surgery

Surgery can cause stress and this is unfortunate given that stress can slow down the healing process. Therefore, you will want to monitor your stress level before and after surgery so you can take steps to keep your stress levels low. One of the best ways to reduce stress is through exercise. But after a major surgery, this might not be available to you. Therefore, you will need to use other methods.

Watch a DVD

Watching a wall-mounted DVD has been found to reduce stress in patients undergoing surgery. Therefore, you should talk to your surgeon about whether this option is available to you both as a form of distraction and as a way to engage in something less stressful. Of course, watching a DVD is only useful if you will be conscious, such as if your surgery will be performed under a local anesthetic.

Have Social Support

Having social support throughout the surgery process can make having surgery much easier. Think about those individuals in your life that are the most supportive and that help you alleviate stress. These are the individuals who you will want around you during and after the surgery. Avoid anyone who contributes to your stress level.

Ask for Day Surgery

Ask yourself if you are stressed about the prospect of spending the night in the hospital. If so, you should ask if you can have day surgery. After the procedure, you will be able to go home where you can begin the recovery process. However, day surgery is not available after every type of surgery, so consult with your doctor about whether he or she recommends it.

Use Stress Management Techniques

You may need a special therapy session to help you cope with the stress that you experience as a result of the prospective surgery. Both stress management sessions and traditional talk therapy can help lower your stress more than nothing at all.

With stress management sessions, you will learn one of several techniques that will help you keep your stress levels low. With talk therapy, a trained psychologist will speak with you regarding any anxieties you are experiencing.

Understand Your Surgery

Speak with your surgeon as much as possible about what to expect from your surgery. The more that you know what to anticipate, the less that the feelings of the unknown will affect you. It is best to talk with a surgeon rather than researching your surgery independently because your surgeon will have information that is tailored specifically to you.

To learn more, contact a company like Nueterra with any questions you have.