I can still vividly recall my first panic attack on an airplane.
I had a very turbulent ride from Pensacola to Atlanta, immediately followed by the “ATL Dash” to catch my connecting flight to Milwaukee. While catching my breath on the plane, I thought to myself that there was no way I could stay on this airplane and experience another bumpy ride. The dark thoughts started pouring into my brain, then the shaking and hyperventilating ensued. With tears pouring down my cheeks, the lady next to me (who dubbed herself grandma) grabbed my hand and helped calm me down. I survived my first panic attack caused by air travel.
After that experience, I was prescribed medication that served as a crutch for my fear of flying. Many years were spent being being over-medicated and traveling the globe before I started dating the love of my life, my husband. Now what does dating him have to do with anything? Well, you see….he’s a pilot…named Sky. Yes, I helped overcome my fear of flying by falling in love with a pilot named Sky. This knight in shining armor tale has the makings to be the next Hallmark movie classic. He has been able to help me manage my flying anxiety through experience and his expertise. Here are some tips I’ve learned to help anxious flyers.
Preparation and Distractions
Preparing for your flight is more than just packing your bags and leaving your home with an ample amount of time to get through TSA; preparing includes understanding the safety statistics of air travel, practicing breathing techniques to reduce anxiety, and researching your flight path(s) to see any weather you may experience on the way to your destination. I always check the Weather Channel to alert me on storms or strong fronts so I know if turbulence or delays are possible.
Distractions are key for a successful plane trip. I always pack a book and a magazine, coloring books, a stress ball, and music (listening to music reduces anxiety and stress – try humming or singing to your tunes, your neighbor won’t notice).
Now that I am a mother, my daughter is my main distractor. While pregnant I would rub my belly if I was nervous, but after she was born my anxiety was displaced from the plane to entertaining and caring for my daughter. We play with play-doh or put wiki sticks on the airplane windows, watch shows, sing songs, color, and eat tons of snacks.
Neighbors and Flight Attendants
One thing I have always done is make friends with my neighbors. Start up a conversation about where they are headed, where they are from, and casually insert that you are not that big of a fan of air travel. Many successful trips I had traveling were accomplished by making friends on the plane. People are generally nice, give it a try! (You never know, you may be sitting next to an aviation expert who can help you through your flight.)
There have been a couple of times when I have told the flight attendants that I really struggle with flying. They always do a really nice job on checking in, and they are very skilled at calming people down.
Turbulence
There is nothing worse than a flight with turbulence and storms. Luckily, when faced with these obstacles, the fasten seatbelt sign is on. Please follow that, the pilots turn it on for your safety and your neighbors’ safety.
On a very choppy flight, I made my husband tell me the worst weather he ever faced while flying. Turns out he has a lot of stories, and they were definitely worse than the bumps we were experiencing over the Pacific. He explained to me that the air is like a lava lamp, there are pockets of cold air and warm air that rise and fall that resulted in the turbulence we were facing. From there, I visualized that I was on a boat cruising over choppy waves – because boats are fun, right?
Also, another fun fact is that air traffic control is in constant contact with the pilots on the plane. They are always asking for ride reports, so that planes experiencing turbulence can change altitudes and find smoother air.
I hope you find these tips helpful as you take on your next air travel experience. What helps you with your anxiety while traveling on an airplane?
