Calm Medical And Dental Anxiety

Listen to this practice when undergoing medical or dental treatment or procedures to help to calm your nerves and get you through it. You will be guided through a combination of EFT/tapping, mindfulness, and guided visualisation to help you to calm any anxiety and feel safe until the procedure is over.

Transcript

Listen to this practice when experiencing discomfort or distress while undergoing a medical or dental procedure or preparing for one.

Taking some slow and steady breaths as calmly as you can.

Following your breath as it flows in and out of your nose or mouth.

And if your breathing has become rapid or panicked,

Just doing your best to take slow conscious inhalations and slow conscious exhalations.

You might have a lot of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings going on right now.

That's okay.

But I want you to remember that you are safe.

You will get through this and I will be here with you to support you.

Keep that steady intentional breathing going and allowing yourself to do whatever you need to do to be as comfortable as possible throughout this procedure.

Find a spot in the room to focus your gaze upon or close your eyes if you wish.

Do your best to release any tension in your body,

Releasing any tightness in your tummy,

Your shoulders,

Neck,

Jaw or any other area that you are tensing up.

Give yourself permission to relax as much as possible so that you can breathe and focus on this practice.

Don't be concerned with other people around you.

Engage with them as much as you need to but otherwise leave them to their work.

It doesn't matter what they think.

Let your primary focus be on your own well being and just surrender any thoughts about anyone else who is in your space right now.

Pulling all of your attention back into yourself now.

Calling all of your energy back into your body and just taking each moment one breath at a time.

Bringing your attention now to your fingertips.

If it's possible use the fingers on one of your hands to gently tap,

Touch or stroke the skin just to the side of the thumbnail on your other hand.

Aim for the skin where you might get hangnails on the side of your nail and gently tap,

Squeeze or pat this area on both sides of your thumbnail.

Along the side of each of your fingernails are acupressure points which when tapped will help to calm down your anxiety,

Reduce an elevated heart rate and stop the fight or flight response.

This movement is subtle and no one around you will know what you are doing.

And remember it doesn't matter what they think anyway.

Throughout the remainder of this practice you can continue to tap or squeeze the side of your thumbnail and fingernails which will help to restore a sense of calm in your body and mind.

Thinking now about the place that you woke up this morning or the place that you call home.

Imagining yourself there or in another place that feels safe.

Remembering that feeling of knowing that you are safe.

You will feel safe and secure again soon.

Visualizing yourself in your safe place surrounded by a protective light of any color you choose.

This light surrounds you and reminds you that you are protected.

You notice an animal spirit guide standing alongside you.

This being has come to assist you to feel calm and optimistic during this procedure.

You might see a pet,

Your favorite animal or a being that represents protection to you like a guardian angel or other spiritual guide.

With this protective guide by your side you feel reassured knowing that this companion will stay with you and ensure that you are safe.

Music Reminding yourself about all the benefits that this procedure will give you.

Maybe it will reduce pain and suffering that you have been experiencing.

Or allow you to achieve goals that you have had for a long time.

Bringing to mind all of the positives that will come from this procedure.

Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Remember to keep squeezing or tapping the sides of your fingernails to help your body feel peaceful and safe.

Music Music You may notice sounds,

Smells,

Sensations or images that are distressing to you.

Remember to breathe slowly.

Notice your breath.

Relax your muscles and reconnect to that feeling of safety.

Music Music Music Looking at your animal guide who has come with you in spirit for this procedure.

It speaks to you now and reminds you that you are strong.

You can do this.

Tomorrow is a new day.

You are protected and will soon return home and feel safe once more.

Listen to its wisdom and guidance.

Music Music Feeling grateful for this animal messenger who is here with you.

Music Visualizing your animal guide curling up and snuggling you.

Sending you love,

Healing and support.

Music You might be experiencing some unpleasant sensations right now.

Reminding yourself that this experience is temporary and it will come to an end.

Music This is happening now and it will soon be over.

Music With every moment that passes you get closer and closer to the end.

Music Your mind might be telling you all sorts of awful things to perpetuate your fear and anxiety.

But remember that these are just thoughts.

Thoughts cannot harm you.

You don't need to believe them or pay attention to them.

Just acknowledge any thoughts that come up before gently letting them drift on by.

Music Music Saying to yourself in your mind,

I am safe.

My body knows what to do.

My heart is calm.

I am protected.

Visualizing now a pure white protective light surrounding the building or room that you are in.

Music See this glowing white light creating a protective layer around this place.

Knowing that this white light is here to keep you safe,

Secure and well.

Music Music Music This place will be protected by this light from now until the procedure is complete.

Music Affirming to yourself again,

I am safe.

My body knows what to do.

My heart is calm.

I am protected.

With your support animal snuggled in close,

Staying in this space of groundedness and peace for the remainder of your procedure.

Or if you like,

Restarting this practice again.

Music

Reviews

Perfect practice for my client before her visit to the doctor! Thank you 🙏

Wow 🤩 I felt so much better after this. God bless you 🥰

This was wonderful! I will use it tomorrow at my dental appointment.

Yes and helpful thank you

Oh, I do so wish this would have been available yesterday, as I had emergency dental work in the afternoon. I've had this type of thing before and knew what to expect, but as a recovering needle-phobe and medical challenges that make almost all dental work, no matter how benign, difficult and uncomfortable, this practice would have been perfect. (I used one of my other, broader, preparation practices, plus my fidget cube for support.) I tried this practice just now, as I deal with the aching and otherwise painful aftermath of the procedure upon awakening. I had forgotten about those accupressure points and the tapping - I have read some on both techniques and have some books on each as well, but have been so tired up in other things the last few years that my learning is slow and often far too spaced out to truly be effective. Your guidance here was spot-on, well done, and extremely helpful.

I have bookmarked and downloaded this practice as the newest member of my "go to" practices when I have medical or dental procedures or surgeries in the near future. (Both of which are far too frequent for my liking, but such is the nature of my condition... equanimity, don't'cha know! 😉)

Thank you so very much for sharing this practice with us here in the Insight Timer community. When IT sees fit to allow us Android users to create personal playlists (and not just the iOS users, who already can), this will be going on one of mine. So grateful for you and your work, Naomi. I see you and the light within you. Be well. 🤲🏻❤️🤲🏻