I hate to fly. I get nervous, I break out into cold sweats, and my palms always feel clammy. But I know it’s a must in this day and age. Sometimes, though, I just have to muster up the courage to do it, especially when I have an important business meeting in another country or a family reunion overseas. Luckily, I found some tricks that can make flying more bearable.
I started talking about my fear of flying with my friends and family. They all told me different techniques for staying calm on the plane. I talked to people at work who travel a lot and they had some great advice, too. Most of it was very helpful but some of it was scary! What really helped me was finding a blog on the internet written by someone who also hates flying but has discovered ways to stay relaxed while on the plane.
I wrote down everything that seemed helpful from everyone’s suggestions and then tried them out on my next trip abroad. It worked! Now, I no longer hate flying so much because my nerves are calmer and I know how to handle myself better when something goes wrong during the flight (which rarely happens).
A lot of people are afraid of flying. It’s one of the most common fears, but it is also one of the least rational ones. Statistically flying is extremely safe.
So why do so many people feel scared? Simply put, it’s because we don’t understand what is happening. We can’t control the situation and when we lose control, fear often follows. It’s human nature to be afraid of things that we don’t understand.
In my experience there are two main reasons for fear in flight: turbulence and claustrophobia. Luckily there are some tricks you can use to make both of these sensations more bearable:
Turbulence – Turbulence is caused by variations in the air flow over the aircraft. Turbulence is like a big bump on a road and when you hit it you might feel your stomach rise up into your throat for an instant, but this sensation will pass as quickly as it came if you just relax and focus on something else until it passes.
Claustrophobia – One way to overcome claustrophobia is to get out of your seat and walk around the cabin occasionally. If you can’t walk around due to turbulence, try taking
Flying can be a stressful experience. The cramped seating and lack of legroom, the uncertainty of turbulence, and the feeling of helplessness in the event of an accident are just a few of the reasons why flying is so stressful for many people. Here are a few simple tips which can help you stay relaxed when flying:
1. Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine-based beverages prior to or during your flight as these can increase anxiety levels and make it harder to sleep.
2. If you have trouble sleeping on flights, try using earplugs, an eye mask, and neck pillow. These items can help block out noise and light so that you can get some much-needed rest.
3. Keep yourself distracted by listening to music or watching movies in order to pass the time more quickly.
Many people are afraid of flying. This is a blog about how to deal with this fear. I got over my own fear of flying by being a frequent flyer for many years, and I share the experience I gained in dealing with my own fears. I also flew gliders for many years, and took up skydiving to get over my fear of heights.
I hope these experiences will help you too.
Our first flight as a family was with my son when he was 11 months old. I was so nervous about the whole ordeal that we took a non-stop red eye to Florida from California.
I had read some tips online and from friends, but ultimately everything I read didn’t work for us. We did learn some things on that first flight that helped us for future flights and now we are pros at traveling with our small children.
My husband and I were just talking about how we’ll probably be taking two or three cross country flights a year for the next few years to visit family members in both California and Florida. That is a lot of air travel! So here’s what we’ve learned along the way:
Traveling by airplane can be stressful, especially with the hassles of security lines and delays. Here are some tips to help you make your flight more relaxing and enjoyable.
1. Arrive early
Even if the airport is close to your home or office, plan to arrive at least an hour prior to your scheduled departure time. This will give you enough time to find parking or drop off your car with a valet service, check in for your flight, and get through security without feeling rushed.
2. Wear comfortable clothes
Airplanes tend to be very cold from the moment you board until the moment you deplane, so it’s a good idea to wear layers of clothing or to bring a sweater or blanket. Loose fitting clothes that don’t restrict movement are also recommended for airline travel since you may have to sit for a long time before take-off and after landing.
3. Bring healthy snacks
Most airlines only offer snacks on long flights, and they are usually junk food like potato chips and cookies. To avoid getting hungry during your flight and resorting to high-fat snack options, bring along some healthier alternatives such as:
– Fresh fruit
– Air-popped popcorn (not the microwave kind)
– Gran
When the plane is in the air, the flight attendants will offer you a drink. You can order anything you like; there is no limit. You can have as many drinks as you want.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try every drink on the menu. If you always order Coke, this is your chance to try Pepsi. If you always order Pepsi, this is your chance to try Coke.
It’s also worth noting that if you are traveling with children, they will be offered unlimited free drinks as well. If they normally drink apple juice at home and they want to try orange juice on the plane, now is their chance.
If at any time during the flight you feel hungry, simply ask one of the flight attendants for food. There are no restrictions on how much food you can order and how often you can order it. Some people just eat one meal during the entire flight; others eat several meals. It’s completely up to you.
For example, if your flight departs at 10 a.m., and lunch isn’t served until noon, some people might get a little hungry around 11:30 a.m., so they ring their call button and ask for a snack to tide them over until lunchtime