What are some good ways to relieve stress while on a plane?
I am going to a direct six hour flight to go on vacation on Thursday and I always get nervous and have small panic attacks while on the plane. I try to occupy myself with books and my nintendo DS but it gets too much for me. It has always been like this, even before 9/11 and I have not had a bad experience on the plane. My mom and my older brother will be flying with me and they are fine with flying and get annoyed at me when I get nervous. What are some things I can do to stop stressing? Please help me!
I am the same way…
for some reason whenever I fly (travel by air) I feel that
the plane is going to crash and that I am going to die.
which is why even short flight leave me exhausted from the stress and fear and prolly a lot of adrenaline rush during the flight.
what helped me was taking yoga classes.
now i am able to meditate and do breathing exercises.
but before that i usually stay all night before my flight so that during the flight I’ll be too exhausted and sleepy to worry about my fear.
have a great trip…
I hope this helps.
BTW, I stay away from alcohol and prescription drugs during flights coz at the back of my mind if (God forbid) it crashes and I survive, I want to be able to think straight (unaffected by chemicals) which makes my chance for survival higher.
yup… I was that paranoid about flying then… LOL
Comments
Comment from fran j
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:09 am
If it is so bad try medication and you will become more comfortable each time you fly and will not need medication.
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Comment from Wisdom
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:29 am
It is always best to try some breathing relaxation exercises because this would help with circulation that can provide relaxations. Also try streching and flexing also to losen joints that become tense when you get tense. Just Breath. If not you can just take something to knock you out.
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Comment from telluwat
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I always ask for a couple of glasses of champaign or wine or what have you.
then go to sleep for the flight. if you take a very early or very late flight you will be tired and the drink helps keep you knocked out until landing. why not try to find a cd that helps you relax, like maybe a book on tape or something.
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Comment from Orion
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Have your mom call the doctor to see if you can get some medication to help you relax. They can prescribe something mild. You are already doing what you can to help but it sound like you need something else.
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Comment from db2byl
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Watch a dvd, if you have a player, pick out some good movies you want to see, take a benadryl or if you have a tranquilizer, take 1/2 tablet. Talk, read and write. Lots of things you can do.
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Comment from tina
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:52 pm
play a video game on your handy game pad
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Comment from rich2481
Time January 17, 2010 at 1:29 pm
peppermint Life savers,, suck on those ,, you will feel better,, bring along some of your girlie magazines or something you enjoy,, take 2 ibuprofen before boarding and two more 4 hours later,, get up once a hour to go to the bathroom and stretch ( not in the bathroom, they are too little )
sit on the isle, all else fails try to sleep,
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Comment from rowdysunsetart
Time January 17, 2010 at 2:02 pm
First off start working with your brain now before you ever get on the plane…see yourself calm and doing fine the entire trip, remember what you give your attention to grows and you are giving your attention to the bad…think of a happy place, one where you feel safe and secure, and really visualize it see all the details…then when you are on the plane…go to the happy place if you start to get nervous…I used to work for the airlines and honey it is ALOT safer than any other way to go…dont let anyone judge you not even you mom or brother…alot of people get nervous…my best advise it to pray and ask Gods protection and know it is yours and be at peace…your mind can work with you or against you..its your choice…another way that helps is to take a journal and write down the things you are feeling at the moment…it gets it out of you and you can feel better right away…take the time to really enjoy it instead of be nervous…try to get a window seat and watch outside..it is facinating! Look at it as if you never have been nervous or have a fear of it…I was afraid at first..but love it now…and it is sooooo much easier….give yourself a break here…have fun…hope it helps
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Comment from mariaemm
Time January 17, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I am the same way…
for some reason whenever I fly (travel by air) I feel that
the plane is going to crash and that I am going to die.
which is why even short flight leave me exhausted from the stress and fear and prolly a lot of adrenaline rush during the flight.
what helped me was taking yoga classes.
now i am able to meditate and do breathing exercises.
but before that i usually stay all night before my flight so that during the flight I’ll be too exhausted and sleepy to worry about my fear.
have a great trip…
I hope this helps.
BTW, I stay away from alcohol and prescription drugs during flights coz at the back of my mind if (God forbid) it crashes and I survive, I want to be able to think straight (unaffected by chemicals) which makes my chance for survival higher.
yup… I was that paranoid about flying then… LOL
References :
own experience
Comment from lil sammy
Time January 17, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Oh–I have the same. Which sucks because I need to travel a lot.
I’m not sure what your age is. If you are 15+ go tell your doctor and he/she will likely give you a very small dose of Xanax. That and 2 glasses of wine does the trick for me.
Otherwise, I would suggest bringing your laptop, headphones and a few favorite movies. Ones you know you can get lost in.
Also, get up and walk a lot so your feet and ankles don’t hurt. I call it "taking a lap" get a glass of water and some crackers while you’re up.
I know it sounds cheesy, but just think of statistics before you get on the plane. Your plane will NOT crash. Really.
I have done countless 15 hour flights from the US to Asia. and while not real comfy, no harm was ever done.
Good luck and enjoy your trip, wherever you’re going!!
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Me and my best friend. Both are terrified to fly–but have seen a lot of the world panic free 
Comment from Moonface
Time January 17, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Hello! Sorry to hear that you’re getting anxiety about flying (but well done you for seeking a solution!). The following steps will eliminate or significantly reduce your panic attacks and anxiety. Steps 1 & 3 can be practised on the plane itself.
1.Breathe properly – if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, depression and anxiety. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elear... It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.
3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. This site has instructions on how to do it without the tapes (and other useful info): http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resource...
Have a great flight and hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!
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Comment from becca
Time January 17, 2010 at 10:55 am
Well it helps if you have a scuishy pillow, gum so your ears won’t pop as much and a labtop is what I do.
hope That’ll help!
-becca <3
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