Post by letsconnect on Feb 12, 2005 16:45:35 GMT -5
If you suffer from flashbacks that are restricted to dental settings, you may find the following relaxation tips useful:
1) close your eyes during any dental treatment
2) fold your hands on top of your tummy/solar plexus, and make an active effort to relax them (DON'T hold on to the side of the chair or armrest, depending on design)
3) make an active effort to relax the parts of your body which tend to get tense (often, this will be your shoulder area/discontinued breathing/bum and upper legs). Concentrate on finding areas of tension and relaxing them.
If your fears aren't restricted to dental treatment, you may find that the opposite is true and that keeping your eyes open and watching every move during dental treatment can help. You will know yourself what works for you - just follow your instincts.
Many people find visualization (e.g. imagining a holiday scene, such as relaxing on a beach) helpful. If you find that there's plenty of sensory overload without it and you can't concentrate on two things at once, don't bother - focusing on relaxing any tense muscles is enough.
1) close your eyes during any dental treatment
2) fold your hands on top of your tummy/solar plexus, and make an active effort to relax them (DON'T hold on to the side of the chair or armrest, depending on design)
3) make an active effort to relax the parts of your body which tend to get tense (often, this will be your shoulder area/discontinued breathing/bum and upper legs). Concentrate on finding areas of tension and relaxing them.
If your fears aren't restricted to dental treatment, you may find that the opposite is true and that keeping your eyes open and watching every move during dental treatment can help. You will know yourself what works for you - just follow your instincts.
Many people find visualization (e.g. imagining a holiday scene, such as relaxing on a beach) helpful. If you find that there's plenty of sensory overload without it and you can't concentrate on two things at once, don't bother - focusing on relaxing any tense muscles is enough.