Afraid of needles? 14x This is how you rock that vaccination anyway

Needle phobia, needle fear or belonephobia. I call it out and you recognize it immediately. At least, if you are in the same nervous boat as I am. Blood draws, anesthesia at the dentist, or a vaccination for the tropics: for you, that damn needle is the worst. In fact, your stomach already turns at the sight of a ‘prick’ during an episode of Grey's Anatomy or a moment on the evening news. I feel you, really. Nothing is as bad as such a razor-sharp creep. But well, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. At least, if you want to get vaccinated against corona like I do.

You might see it coming: I decided to make a vaccination appointment as a hero in socks. And that appointment, after a few nervous breakdowns, suddenly turned out to be yesterday. And guess what? I did it. It went well. And it was secretly even a bit easier than expected. How I, as a scaredy-cat (because really, that’s me for real) managed to rock the vaccination anyway? I’ll tell you. And believe me: if I can do it, so can you. You go, guys, really.

1. Apply Emla cream to the injection site an hour before your appointment. You can get this numbing cream at the pharmacy, and it ensures that you feel almost nothing from the needle in your arm.

2. Don’t act bigger than you feel and be open right away when you enter. Because really, honesty lifts a person's spirits, liebe leute.

3. Indicate in your health declaration that you suffer from needle phobia. This way, you can indicate in question 8 on the questionnaire whether you have ever fainted after a vaccination. If you answer this question with ‘yes’, you will be treated as ‘medical’ upon arrival, which means you will have a conversation with a doctor or nurse, and together you can look for the most comfortable way for you to get vaccinated. For example, instead of sitting, you can be vaccinated lying down. Personally, I find that very nice.

4. A bottle of water is your best friend. Feeling panicked? Take a sip of water and sit down calmly. It works wonders.

5. Do you feel light-headed? Fish a Dextro out of your bag. Because yes, you have that thanks to this great tip just on hand.

6. Although the invitation asks you to come alone, you can definitely bring your buddy, as long as your +1 waits outside the premises or in the car. Still a nice extra idea, right?

7. Wear something comfortable that isn’t too tight around your arm. No one is waiting for a complicated top, and especially not you.

8. Bring headphones. This way, you can listen to some nice music or start your favorite series to distract yourself while waiting.

9. Make a short chat with the person who is giving you the shot. Explain again that you are anxious and tell them what you do or do not want to hear or see during the moment supreme. They are the sweetest people in healthcare and they will really help you with love.

10. Treat yourself to something nice, fun, or tasty after your appointment and try to think hard about that during the shot.

11. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe deeply in through your nose and blow out through your mouth. You will see that you become calmer.

12. Count down in your head in 5, 4, 3… 2, oh, you’re already done.

13. Once the band-aid is on, stay seated (or lying down) for a moment so you can recover. The chance is high that you will otherwise faint. Not from the pain, but from the tension.

14. Once you get up, you can be incredibly proud of yourself, and I have just decided for you that you will treat yourself to one of these gems from the designer sale. You have definitely earned it.