If you have a surgery scheduled, whether you’ve known it’s coming for quite sometime or it’s something that has surprised you, it’s perfectly normal to be a little nervous about the procedure. We’ve all heard about things going wrong when someone was in surgery, from mistakes made by doctors to unforeseen circumstances that no one could have predicted. Because of this uncertainty, you might feel your anxiety going through the roof. So to help you feel ready for your surgery and limit your fears, here are three tips for mentally preparing for an upcoming surgery.

Learn More About Your Procedure

The more you know about something, the more you’ll be basing your feelings off real information rather than just your assumptions. People often find that they’re more afraid of the unknown, which is why learning all you can about your procedure can be very helpful. According to Dr. Zeev N. Kain, a contributor to Psychology Today, make sure you’re getting your information from reputable medical sources. While reading someone’s blog about their experience might be more accessible, that information will generally be more opinion and experiential rather than based in fact.

Meet Your Doctor, Surgeon, and Anaesthesiologist

To help build your confidence leading up to your surgery, Health24.com suggests that you take the time to meet with your doctors, surgeons, and anaesthesiologist. By putting a face to a name and learning more about the people who will be performing your surgery, you’ll be able to see just how qualified and confident your medical team is, which can help you feel better about the whole situation. Meeting these people will also give you the chance to ask any specific questions about your surgery or medical history. Their answers may help to ease your fears and help you to feel more prepared for what’s coming. While these meetings might require you to make an appointment separate from your surgery, it could be well worth it in the end.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

After you’ve read about your procedure and have met with your doctors, it’s now time to focus on preparing yourself from the inside out. If you’re not familiar with relaxation techniques, now’s the time to learn about them and try practicing some on your own. According to Randox Health, a contributor to Medium.com, some techniques you might want to look into could include breathing techniques, mild yoga, and meditation. By practicing well before your surgery, you’ll be able to use the relaxation techniques when you really need them.

If you’ll be having surgery soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you mentally prepare for your procedure in addition to preparing physically as has been advised to you by your medical care professional.