How to Relax When Taking an MRI Brain Scan

An MRI brain scan uses magnetic imaging and radio waves to provide a picture of brain tissue. The MRI machine is a circular tube, and you lie on a table inside the tube. MRI machines make loud knocking sounds and may feel claustrophobic to some people. The procedure is noninvasive and painless, and lasts from 40 to 60 minutes, but the closed in feeling may cause stress and nervousness. Applying certain relaxation techniques helps to slow down patients' heart rate, provide easier breathing and increase confidence to handle stressful situations, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Things You'll Need

• Headset
• CD
• Earplugs
• Sleep mask
• Sedative

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Instructions

• 1

  Ask your doctor if you can bring and listen to a headset during the procedure. Choose relaxing music or a meditation tape to listen to. Listening to a tape allows your mind to focus on something besides the MRI scan.

• 2

  Practice deep and slow breathing in the MRI machine. Deep breaths relax muscles and slow the heart, creating a feeling of wellness within the body.

• 3

  Ask the technician if you may use earplugs. Earplugs block out part of the loud banging noise by the machine, which may help you relax.

• 4

  Ask your doctor about wearing a sleep mask during the procedure. The sleep mask keeps your eyes closed, so you avoid seeing how closed in the machine is around you. If you cannot wear a sleep mask, try to keep your eyes shut.

• 5

  Ask your doctor about taking a sedative right before the procedure if you are extremely stressed. He may give you one before entering the MRI machine.