Words Laura Potter. Photograph Stocksy
KEEP CALM
It’s not unusual to feel nervous before seeing the doctor, but new research has found that if you can calm your jangling nerves, you’re better able to take in medical advice. ‘An intense negative emotion can lead a patient to focus on only one or two pieces of information and gloss over other important details from health messages’, said the study’s author. After using various calming techniques – including meditation and breathing exercises – subjects read information about flu, cancer, HIV, herpes and gonorrhoea. Being more relaxed meant they were better able to retain that information. So next time you go to the doctor, use that time in the waiting room wisely.