Stay Calm During an MRI Scan: Top 20 Tips

This article features the best tips to stay calm during an MRI scan. Practical solutions to reduce anxiety and claustrophobia during your MRI scan from patients that have already undergone the imaging procedure. Whether you are claustrophobic, or just feeling some stress about your upcoming MRI scan, these tips offer great insight to help put your mind at ease.

This article was written to help shed some light about the MRI scan experience. The feedback we receive from patients helps us create amazing MRI scan resources just for you. We have included the best tips to stay calm during your MRI scan that have been submitted by some of the amazing MRIPETCTSOURCE YouTube Channel community members.

Best Tips to Stay Calm During an MRI Scan (Claustrophobic)

When undergoing an MRI scan, managing claustrophobia or anxiety can be a challenging task for many individuals. However, with the right strategies, it is possible to stay calm and comfortable during the procedure. In this section, we explore the best tips and techniques that can help you ease your nerves and alleviate feelings of claustrophobia or anxiety, allowing you to have a more relaxed and successful MRI experience.

1. Listen To Your Favorite Music.

One tip I can give to anyone who might be getting one or people who get claustrophobic, just try and keep your eyes shut, relax, and if the operators/nurses can provide you with music to listen to, do it, in my opinion it seems to make the scan feel shorter. There’s nothing to be scared of, you don’t feel anything, the machine may get a bit warm depending on the scan, but other than that it’s just the noise you have to put up with.

2. Focus on Your Favorite Moments.

I’ve had quite a few MRIs in my life and I have to have my lumbar spine done so I’m all the way in the tube… I’m claustrophobic and I have to close my eyes and think of something funny or sing my favorite songs.

3. Try Keeping Your Eyes Closed.

Tip for anyone going to have one, I had one today and deal with claustrophobia. What I did was closed my eyes before they even put me in that tube part and never opened them back up because I knew if I saw the closed space coupled with those loud noises, I would have a panic attack. Kept my eyes closed and imagined I was laying in either a field outside or the beach and did that the entire time til it was over.

I’ve done mine today, I am claustrophobic and I just closed my eyes to don’t get panic, I thought I would feel radiation or something but only thing I felt was vibrations. Very smart technology nowadays to save lives.

4. Learn All About MRI.

A bit of noise to save your life is a very small price to pay. The ‘steam train’ noise is the cooling system, the rest are the electro magnets being energized.

Recommended Reads:

• What Is MRI and How Does It Work?
• MRI Scanner Components Explained
• What Makes The Loud MRI Scan Sounds

5. Reflect On The Positive.

Just remember, nothing bad is actually happening to you. Just some loud noises and you’re relaxing on a comfy bed for an hour. What’s not to like about that. They’re just noises. If they were happening outside your house you’d just be mad at them. Relax and breath deeply slowly in and out. All is well.

6. Learn From The Experiences of Other Patients.

Actually just got done with my 2nd MRI last night. My first one I was in the mobile MRI truck and it was extremely loud for me. I was surprised that I didn’t leave the hospital with ringing ears or tinnitus. But last night I was in an actual MRI exam room. The machine was a lot quieter and the noise was tolerable. I wonder if being in a truck makes the noises reverberate more? It was a brain MRI. I don’t have any hearing loss from it, but yes was shocked by the loudness of the noises. Just focus on your breathing and close your eyes. I’m sure you’ll do fine! Good luck!

7. You Might Just Be Surprised.

If anyone’s nervous about getting one, I just had one today. Was told it would be 30 mins and hard to get some shut eye because of the noise. With the headphones it’s well obscured, went by quickly.

8. Wear Ear Protection.

I definitely recommend wearing earplugs in addition to the ear pads they give you. Because the sound is painful. Especially after a concussion.

Expert Tips To Stay Calm During MRI Scan from Experienced Patients

In the section, you’ll find valuable insights from individuals who have navigated MRI scans with success. These seasoned patients have honed effective techniques to stay calm and composed, even when faced with claustrophobia or anxiety. By sharing their firsthand experiences and time-tested strategies, they aim to empower and support others, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable MRI journey for everyone.

9. MRI Sounds Make The Perfect ASMR

A lot of comments saying it’s scary but I’ve been in these things regularly the past 20-ish years and always found it very relaxing. The tunnel you’re crammed into is nice for an agoraphobic like myself and the noise really does work as ASMR aside from the loudness of it but the earplugs really help with that. Maybe it’s a mix of the agoraphobia and autism I have but inside an MRI machine I really do feel at ease and calm, I even fell asleep once and they yelled at me with the speaker to keep me awake – though admittedly it’s nice to be in them less and less just because it means I’m having less medical issues lol.

10. A Perfect Time To Take A Nap

I have hydrocephalus and have gotten consistent MRI’s all my life. Tbh this’ll literally make me fall asleep

11. Eventually, you get used to MRI Scans

I’ll be getting my 6th MRI done soon. Eventually, you get used to it

12. Meditation Is A Great Way To Stay Calm During MRI Scan

Tips for enjoying your MRI: 1. Keep your eyes shut and relaxed the entire time, from before they slide you in until the moment they slide you out. If you do this, the inside of the MRI machine is not small but boundless, as big as your mind chooses to make it. 2. Think of the sounds of the machine as experimental music. Find the rhythms. Add your own melodies, lyrics, and layers of beats on top of it. 3. Meditate. Appreciate the time spent relaxing your body laying totally still. For the hour, you have no responsibilities in the world.

13. Be One With The MRI Scan

When you’re in there for a while you start to notice patterns. It’s quite cool being able to count when the noise is going to change.

Tips From Patients That Love MRI Scans

Staying calm during an MRI scan is easy if you love MRI scanners. This medical marvel provides a safe diagnostic imaging experience that many patients enjoy. Let’s hear from a few patients that love MRI and can provide great advice about staying calm during an MRI scan:

14. You Can Always Pause The MRI Scan, If Needed.

It’s so weird that I find it relaxing. I remember telling the lady before I had ADHD and she said if I get anxious to press the button but I ended up loving it 😂 brain stimulation.

If your worried about getting an MRI scan then don’t worry, I wasn’t looking forward to it at all, although it was not terrifying at all and if anything relaxing. The noises are not loud and you can barely hear them with music. Inside the scanner keep your eyes closed and think that you are in an open space, it helps a lot.

15. Keep An Open Mind, You May Just Love MRIs.

I wanted to be in my MRI for longer. I loved the enclosed space and the sounds were amazing. Even asked for the music to be tuned down so I could hear the machine better.

16. Enjoy The Live Show.

I had my very first of these on February 3rd. Rather than freaking out like most probably would, I gleefully laughed through the whole thing, all the while tapping my fingers in dead exact rhythm to the pre-scan calibration clicks (impulse responses, anyone?) of the MRI machine. After about a whole 25 minutes I was sad to hear the MRI had stopped (I kinda wish it was longer). The man that was doing the MRI that day curiously had enough nerve to ask if I’d listened to any techno music. I said exactly two words to him: “Aphex Twin” His jaw dropped and someone else in the lab room told me that his face lit up with joy.

For someone that has never done one, reading this comments can trigger anxiety. I fell asleep inside 100%. Sounds are loud but is not scary at all. The top of the machine sits about 20 cm from your face, people really exaggerate and is not THAT close that you feel trapped (being claustrophobic is a whole different thing, consult your doctor or let them know first). But seriously is not bad at all.

17. Always Remember, MRI Won’t Hurt You.

Most places give you earplugs and earmuffs. if they are nice they play music in the earmuffs for you. But the thing to remember is, it wont hurt you, its not radiating you with radioactive beams and although its a little confined, you can just close your eyes, day dream and then open them when your taken out. If your worried about an MRI, honestly just take the opportunity to close your eyes and have a sleep.

I know it is incredibly loud in person, but it always manages to put me to sleep until they pull me out to do the contrast. Then they put me back in and away I go again!

18. Some Patients Actually Look Forward To Their MRI Scan

I love the MR scanner, i always fall asleep to my yearly check up, honestly look forward to September 🙂 I just miss the actual bass feel the machine produces to be perfect 🙂

I have chronic migraine. The MRI puts me into deep sleep – the best sleep I ever have had. I begin with deep breathing exercises. Once the machine sounds begin to rock my body, I’m good. I’ve even gone in on a level 10 migraine! Don’t let the unknown, the fearful stories, and the negative hype get you upset. It’s a fascinating part of medical history, that you are fortunate to experience and benefit from.

19. Watch an MRI Scan Video

It is much easier to stay calm during an MRI scan if you are familiar with the imaging procedure. The MRIPETCTSOURCE YouTube channel features a library of videos that showcase the sights and sound of MRI scans. The video below is one of the most popular in our library and shows exactly what a brain MRI scan sounds like inside the scan room. Additional links to MRI scan videos provided in the additional resources section

“This MRI Scan Sounds video has completely changed my life! Thank you so much!”

“The noises were my favorite part of the process! The fact that it sounded like music sometimes and knowing the reasons for the sounds made it a really cool experience.“

Also recommended: (Video) What is MRI? Exploring MRI Technology

20. Special Accommodations Are Always An Option

What if you can’t get through your MRI exam? What happens then? There is no need to worry about completing your MRI scan. Special accommodations are always available. Feel free to ask your doctor, nurse or MRI technologist for special requests. Imaging centers are always happy to accommodate your needs for an MRI scan.

I went for my brain MRI today. It took about 20mins-25mins. I was so scared that I was unable to do the test the first time. I consulted my doc and he allowed me to go in with my boyfriend. He held my hand all through even after receiving my contrast injection. Just having him there gave me a lot of courage and emotional support. It was scary but I’m glad I managed to get it done

Had to get MRI and being claustrophobic combined with stress and the loud bangs I had to stop they pulled me out and drugged me up. I was sedated and don’t remember anything second time and turns out I was just fine. So all’s well that ends well.

Conclusion

Life has enough stresses, your MRI scan shouldn’t be one of them. The tips provided by the amazing MRI patients in the MRIPETCTSOURCE community are sure to help you prepare for your MRI scan.

Claustrophobic patients or patients who may have troubles staying calm during an MRI scan can always make special requests. The sole purpose of the MRI technologist is to help you through your imaging experience, so feel free to ask questions. Most importantly, remember that MRI scans may be a little loud, but they are a safe, non-invasive method of diagnostic imaging. Your MRI scan will be over before you know it.

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Good Luck With Your MRI Scan!

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