Simple relaxation techniques reduce the anxiety around needling and make long sessions pass more easily.
What to know
- Slow diaphragmatic breathing lowers heart rate and eases cannulation anxiety.
- Progressive muscle relaxation helps with cramping tension and sleep.
- Guided audio, audiobooks or podcasts make session time feel shorter and less clinical.
- Practise techniques on good days so they are available on difficult ones.
Talk to your care team
This topic is part of Mental & Emotional Health, one of ten modules in the Trivita Learning Hub. If anything here contradicts what your own nephrologist or dialysis nurse has told you, follow your care team — they know your prescription, your access and your history.
Trivita's dialysis nurses answer our care line 24 hours a day on 055 242 1070, including for people who are not yet our patients.
Education, not medical advice. This page explains home hemodialysis in general terms for patients and care partners in the UAE. It is reviewed by Trivita's Medical Director but cannot account for your individual circumstances. Never change a prescription, medication or technique based on this page alone.