Just as some things help your donation go smoothly, others can increase the risk of side effects. Avoiding these in the hours before donating keeps you safer.

Avoid fasting and extreme dieting

Donating while:

·       Fasting for long hours,

·       Following very strict crash diets, or

·       Skipping multiple meals

increases the chance of:

·       Light‑headedness or fainting.

·       Feeling very weak or nauseous.

·       Poor blood flow during donation.

If you are fasting for religious or health reasons and still want to donate, choose a donation time soon after a meal (e.g., after iftar) when you have rehydrated and eaten.

Avoid heavy exercise and physical strain

In the few hours before your donation:

·       Avoid intense workouts (running, gym, football, heavy lifting).

·       Avoid physically exhausting work (carrying heavy loads, long manual labour in heat).

Vigorous exercise:

·       Temporarily raises heart rate and blood pressure.

·       Can increase the chance of feeling faint or unwell when combined with blood loss.

Light activity like walking, gentle stretching or usual daily chores is fine.

Avoid smoking and vaping close to donation

If you smoke or vape:

·       Try not to smoke for at least 1–2 hours before donating.

·       Avoid smoking immediately after donating as well.

Smoking:

·       Affects blood vessels and oxygen levels.

·       Can make dizziness or faintness more likely.

Using donation as a chance to cut down or quit smoking is a positive step for your health and for patients you help.

Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs

You should:

·       Not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before donating.

·       Never donate under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.

Alcohol:

·       Dehydrates the body.

·       Alters judgment, so you may not answer screening questions accurately.

·       Can interact with the normal drop in blood volume after donation and increase risks.

Recreational drugs can:

·       Impair decision‑making.

·       Signal underlying behaviours that may increase infection risk.

If you have used any substance recently, it is better to postpone donation and come when you are fully sober and stable.