Your part in helping patients continues even after leaving the donation chair. Good aftercare helps you recover quickly and stay safe.

Rest immediately after donation

Right after your blood is collected:

·       Stay lying or seated in the recovery area for at least 10–15 minutes.

·       Drink the juice or water offered and have a light snack.

·       Stand up slowly, and if you feel dizzy, sit or lie down again immediately.

This short rest period:

·       Allows your blood pressure to stabilize.

·       Reduces the chance of fainting when you leave.

Drink extra fluids for the next 24 hours

For the rest of the day:

·       Drink more water than usual – aim for several extra glasses throughout the day.

·       Other non‑alcoholic drinks like juice or oral rehydration solutions are also fine.

Good hydration helps your body:

·       Replace the plasma portion of your blood quickly.

·       Maintain blood pressure and circulation.

Avoid alcohol for the rest of the day and ideally until the next day.

Eat regular, balanced meals

After donation:

·       Do not skip meals.

·       Include iron‑rich foods (daal, beans, leafy greens, meat), plus carbohydrates and protein.

Food provides:

·       Energy to prevent fatigue.

·       Nutrients to support blood cell production.

Even if you are not very hungry, try small, frequent meals.

Take it easy with physical activity

For the rest of the day:

·       Avoid heavy lifting, especially with the donation arm.

·       Avoid intense exercise such as running, gym workouts, sports competitions.

·       Avoid jobs or activities where fainting would be especially dangerous (for example, working at heights or operating heavy machinery).

Light walking and normal gentle activities at home are usually fine if you feel well.

Care of the needle site

·       Keep the bandage or plaster on your arm for several hours as advised.

·       Keep the area clean and dry; avoid scrubbing it or placing pressure directly on it.

·       If it starts to bleed slightly, press firmly with clean cotton or cloth for a few minutes until it stops.

Most needle sites heal quickly and leave only a small mark or bruise that fades within days.