Calming words from a doctor, otherwise known as "conversational hypnosis" can be more effective in relaxing patients before surgery than medication such as hydroxyzine, a French study has found. The non-drug method involves the doctor talking quietly and positively to the patient--making statements such as, "Keep calm and quiet," rather than "Please don't move"--and focusing the patient's attention on something other than anesthesia and surgery preparations, HealthDay reports. Article