Effective Mental Preparation for Surgery | by Miriam Chachamu, family therapist

How can we best prepare the body and mind for medical procedures, so that we feel relaxed
and optimistic about the experience?

I had to answer this question for myself as I was nervously waiting for a complex operation on my
broken elbow. As I waited at the hospital, I came to realise that I could use my therapeutic skills to prepare my body and mind for the imminent surgery.

My preparation involved much more than just trying to relax, be positive and imagine good
results. Thanks to this preparation, instead of feeling pain and fear I became curious, excited for my elbow to be fixed and trusting the expertise of the medical team

I share this effective, powerful process in my video in the hope you could use these ideas if you find yourself or your loved ones needing medical procedures.

A huge part of my preparation involved guided imagery or meditation. It is a great life skill
that anyone can learn, but it requires some practice before it can be used in the way I used it
on myself.

I learned to use guided imagery at the Human Givens College. Here is their workshop about guided imagery: https://www.humangivens.com/college/g...

You can read more about the power of guided imagery here:
https://www.humangivens.com/wp-conten...

There are many good YouTube meditation clips that can help you get into the relaxed state of mind which is essential to this work. Why not find one that you like and start practicing? Here are a couple of my favourite clips:

Meditation with body scan:
   • Mindfulness Meditation   Body Scan  

Relaxation meditation to the voice of the falling rain:
   • Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Me...  

My friend Mika Hadar, who recommended that I add gratitude and blessings to my process,
can be found here:
https://subtleyoga.co.uk

I was treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London:
@RoyalFreeHospitalNHS
www.royalfree.nhs.uk
I would like to thank the staff of the Trauma & Orthopaedics Service, as well as at Ward
Seven South, for their care, patience and skill.

Wishing you and yours good health and happiness.

Please like, share and subscribe.

Thank you.

#familytherapy #guidedmeditation #guidedimagery #mentalhealthapproach #humangivens #humanneeds