How to Not Pass Out or Faint When Getting Your Blood Drawn

One of my least favorite things about myself is that I’m a “fainter.” Specifically, I tend to pass out when I have to get my blood drawn (or an IV placed). Getting a shot isn’t nearly as bad, though I still always look away. I hate the feeling of cold, sweaty dread that comes over me when I get my blood drawn. It feels like there’s nothing I can do to fight it, and the harder I try, the worse it gets. But I’ve found a technique that’s kept me from passing out the last two or three times I’ve had blood drawn. It boils down to trying to keep my blood pressure elevated, instead of the usual advice to stay calm and take deep breaths. Here’s what I do: Tell myself it’s okay to feel stressed out, sweaty, and nervous. Try to channel that nervous energy into staying amped up: fidgeting, squeezing my hands into fists, flexing random muscles. Let the phlebotomist or whoever else know I’m a “fainter.” Sometimes they can let you lie down. If not, at least they know what to expect. They usually…