The Waiting Room Jitters
From Lisa Fayed,
Your Guide to Cancer.
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How to Turn The Wait Time Into Productive Time
I used to hate the waiting room in doctor’s offices. It’s boring and sitting there really does build up anxiety. This is especially true if you are waiting for test results. If you are there long enough, you start to look at other people waiting, trying to figure out why they may be there. You may move on to playing peek-a-boo with a small child or perhaps read a magazine published 2 years ago. Regardless of the reason for the visit, the waiting room can make a person impatient, frustrated, and stressed. It can actually mentally exhaust you to the point that you will be in such a rush to leave, you may not have a productive visit with the doctor.
After hours of waiting around, I decided to take action. I vowed to never be bored, forced to read issues of magazines that I wouldn’t give a first glance at on the rack, or silently play the “guess why he’s here” game at the doctor’s office.
1.) Bring Your Own Reading Material. Don’t force yourself to read a Highlights kids magazine when at the doctor without children, or read “Field and Stream” when you aren’t a hunting enthusiasts. Although I do have to admit that there is some satisfaction about reading an old Time that features candidates for the Presidential election that was last year. You know who won, and for some odd reason you feel like you have the heads up. The point is to bring your own magazines, books, or other reading material. You’ll thank yourself after.
2.) Electronic Gadgets Aren’t Just for Kids. One day, while waiting in the doctor, I decided to organize my purse. I found my son’s Gameboy that I had to take away the day before. What a treasure! Super Mario saved my sanity that day. There are even games like Tetris or Jeopardy that appeal to adults in these pocket sized game consoles. The Ipod or any other MP3 player can be very useful, too. Music can sooth worried nerves and make the time go by faster. You may want to refrain from singing along, though.
3.) Knit, Crochet or Embroider? I am envious of those who can knit or crochet. Keeping your hands busy can be very relaxing and help to keep your mind off being at the doctor. Just throw your supplies in a small tote and knit away until your name is called.
4.) Bring a Friend. One really is the loneliest number in the waiting room. Bring a friend; keep it to a minimum, no more than two people. They don’t have to go with you to see your physician, but they can sit and wait. The bad thing is that they are left by themselves while you are called in. Your friend can, however, go run errands and simple call to a cell phone when are done can solve that problem.
5.) Bring Your Cell Phone. Please don’t be one of those annoying people who call people just to talk while they are waiting. While this is a right of the person, it certainly is a wrong! If you really feel like talking to someone, go outside or text message. Although talking on your phone unnecessarily is annoying to others, organizing your phone book or silently playing games on the phone is not. Note: Choosing your ring tone in the waiting room is not part of acceptable cell phone activities.
6.) Work Can Come With You. Todays technology allows us to take a laptop anywhere and possibly allow us to go online. There are networks available that allow internet access everywhere. If this is an option for you, bring work with you or just surf the net. If it can keep you busy at home, it will keep you busy in the waiting room.
7.) Think of questions. Write down questions you have for the doctor if you haven’t done so already. This is a task to definitely do before seeing the doctor. I always forget question I have during my visit and when i get home, i am flooded with questions.
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