Can’t remember what your doctor said? Read this

You’ve likely been there. You’re arriving for a doctor’s appointment or about to do a virtual visit, and you start feeling a little anxious. It’s not unusual. Whether it’s knowing your blood pressure is going to be taken, worrying about test results or needles, feeling awkward asking embarrassing questions or just being uncomfortable changing into a hospital gown, nervousness can set in.

And that less-than-positive mood may affect how well you absorb the health advice and information you will get from your doctor or other clinician during your visit.

But a research report suggests becoming calm can help us pay attention and better understand health messages.

The research looked at results across four studies, which had a combined total of about 1,450 adult participants. The study participants first listened to an audio session of either instructions to help them relax or a lesson on history or other simple material. The relaxation techniques used included guided meditation and breathing exercises.

The participants then read information about topics such as flu, cancer, herpes or depression. Time reading the information was recorded and participants answered multiple-choice questions about the health information they had just read.

Participants who relaxed before reading the messages reported greater attention. They also answered more multiple choice questions correctly, indicating they absorbed more of the health information they had read.

Although additional research is needed and the study focused on adults receiving written health messages, the results may suggest similar receptivity with verbal messages.

“When we’re tense, our brains are distracted,” says Dr. Stephanie Baginski, a family medicine physician at Aurora Health Care. “When we’re more relaxed, we concentrate better and can more fully listen, receive and understand what someone else is saying.”

When preparing for your visit with your primary care doctor, specialist or other clinician, Dr. Baginski offers these tips:

• Before your appointment, take some deep breaths or listen to calming music.
• Download an app that has guided meditation sessions that you can listen to anywhere, such as the waiting room.
• Stretch or go for a short walk to loosen up your muscles.
• If you don’t think you can relax, consider bringing a trusted family member or friend to your appointment to take notes.
• Ask your doctor to include the information in your after-visit summary that you can refer to when you’re more relaxed.

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