Those closest to me know I struggle with bouts of anxiety. Although I’ve travelled since the age of four months, as I’ve gotten older, the plane rides have increasingly caused heart palpitations.
Through trial and error, thankfully I have found a few things that help decrease the anxiety spells during during my travels:
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Meditation Apps
As soon as I get seated and settled, I put my headphones on and prepare to start a meditation before we take flight. This helps me focus on something else other than the plane ascending 30,000+ feet above ground and brings me a sense of calm.
The two that I currently use are Calm and Stop, Breath & Think.
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Nothing Like a Celebrity Gossip Magazine
Yes, guilty, I do read them. I try to keep myself in check and use them as a special vacation/flying treat. I find all of the juicy celebrity gossip occupies my mind and passes the time nicely. I get caught up on the Kardashians, any Lindsay Lohan scandals and see what new styles are poppin’ in Hollywood.
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Movie Date
Strangely enough, I rarely watch movies at home, but watch at least one on a trip. If you find a really good one, you’re so capsulated with the storyline, the common turbulence won’t faze you. No? Well at least it might help distract your attention from the bumps during your flight.
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Get to Know Your Neighbour
If you’re a chatter, see if your neighbour beside you is too. You can easily tell by their answers and whether they have a pillow out or not. You never know who you might meet on the plane and if you kick it off, before you know it, you’ll be back on solid ground. I’ve actually met my doppelganger on a flight and, get this, she had my name too! We’re still in touch to this day.
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Sleep is My Best Friend
This is not an option for everyone, because I often hear “Oh I wish! I can’t sleep on a plane *sigh*”. Fortunately for me, this is not a problem. It’s like the musty airplane air knocks me out, so much so, I can barely keep my eyes open most times. But I got that eagle sense and wake up when the complimentary drinks and snacks are inching their way to me. If it’s free, it’s for ME!
With these tips in hand, I hope your next travel journey is a little easier for you and flies by in no time – pun soooo intended LOL. Happy travels my friends!
If you get nervous flying and have used other methods to calm your nerves – please do share below!
I love the Calm app! Lifesaver and I use it everyday. Great tips! I’m one of the “I wish I could sleep on planes” people, but I think I just get too excited to get to my destination! Not fun on 10+ hour flights, though. That’s for sure! hat’s SO crazy your doppleganger has the same name as you! Too weird!
It’s such a cool app. Thank you so much. Yes! I get annoyed when I wake up and find out I’ve only been sleeping one hour out of a six hour flight. I adjust and try to kick back again. Was such a weird but cool experience! Thanks again for your comment:-)
I am not a nervous flier but when the turbulence gets really bad I close my eyes and imagine that I am on a bumpy car ride instead. it’s hard but it can work if you really get into it
Good visualization! I’ve tried that too but thinking I’m on a ride, like a roller coaster or something. Thing is I don’t really like roller coasters LOL.