Cope With Having Injections
Whenever anybody goes to the hospital, the last word they want to hear is "injection" What makes them seem so bad is different for everyone. But, it probably has something to do with the fact that they are sticking a needle in your arm and injecting something, or taking your blood. But it's better than catching a serious and possibly fatal disease such as tetanus. As they say, prevention is better than cure.
Steps
- Stay calm, all the way up to the time of the shot, even on your way to your doctor. You can achieve this by listening to your favorite music, looking out the window, playing a Game Boy, or doing anything else that relaxes you.
- Understand that it is just a shot. You are not going to feel anything more than a little prick in your arm, and it is going to help you to stay healthy. Who wants to be home with the flu when their friends are out having fun?
- Once you arrive at the doctor's office, there are three simple time periods to remember: Before the shot, during the shot, and after the shot.
- Before the shot- In the waiting room, read a book, listen to calm and happy music, go online if you have a laptop, or do anything else that will get your mind off the shot. By entertaining yourself, you will feel much less tense. When you finally see the doctor, you can request to do the shot first to get it out of the way. After all, it could throw off your blood pressure if your heart is beating rapidly.
- During the shot- Hold a parent's hand if you're a child. If you're an adult, you can still hold someone's hand if you wish, such as a nurse's. Don't look at the needle. Also, let your arm go floppy! If you tense up, it will be really painful. Clench the fist of the arm that is not getting the shot, and it will all be over in a matter of seconds.
- After the shot- Give yourself a pat on the back! You have gotten your shots, and possibly even a lollipop. Treat yourself by going to get some ice cream or doing another activity you enjoy.
Tips
- Realize that the doctor doesn't enjoy sticking needles into bodies. They just want you to be healthy, and so far, immunizations are they only way to defend your body from many dangerous diseases and viruses.
- Remember, its only a tiny needle. The pain is smaller than you imagine. It only feels like a pencil bumping against your skin.
- Do not tense your arm! Keep it as relaxed as possible. You can even listen to your favourite music or eat something to divert your attention from the pain.
- Don't look at it. Don't tense your arm. Breathe in as it goes in and out and before the breath is over it will be done.
- Bite your tongue a bit while getting the shot. This will keep your body interested in the pain on your tongue and you will barely feel the needle. If the injection is not on your arm or shoulder, you may want to try pinching or applying pressure on an area of your body to distract yourself from the pain.
- Just remember it is better to take the jab to help prevent illness than to suffer for not taking a jab.
- The shot goes by very fast. Pick out an object in the room, then blink at it. The shot will be done.
- Remember that when you are getting vaccinated, the most painful part is when the liquid in the syringe comes into contact with your muscle and makes it cramp up. The poking part is essentially painless.
- Keep in mind that needles today are very thin to minimize the pain as much as possible.
Warnings
- Your arm will probably feel sore a few hours after you get the shot, so be sure that you keep it moving so that the pain stops quicker
- Don't attack the doctor or protest the shot. It will only make things worse on both of your parts.
Things You'll Need
- Things to entertain yourself with, such as music players, books, and drawing stuff.
