8 Ways Nervous Flyers Can Stay Calm On A Plane
One of the most common fears is flying even though it has been proven that statistically speaking flying is the safest mode of transportation that there is. If you are one of those people then here are 8 ways that you can stay calm on a plane, your fears will be gone in no time.
1. Make a plan
Before you even leave your house to get to the airport, make a plan of what you are going to do when you start to get nervous for your flight. It is essential that you do this before you start to get those feelings otherwise you might not make the most effective plan and it may not work. Write a step by step guide on what you will do to help calm yourself down, don’t worry if you’re not sure what will help, some of the next steps can be added to your list.
2. Be organised
Make sure that you are as organised as you can be so that you don’t have any unnecessary anxiety. Make a list of everything you are going to back in your suitcase and then make sure that you pack your suitcase two days before leaving, giving you plenty of time to add anything you may have forgotten. Make sure you are at the airport in plenty of time and that you have a secure plan on how you are going to get to the airport.
3. Visualize
Visualize yourself stepping off the plane in your new destination. You are happy to be there and you just had a great flight. Focusing on this instead of something that could possibly go wrong will stop any bad thoughts from entering your head.
4. Meditate
Meditation is a great way to deal with nerves but you do have to have an open mind about it, if you are determined that this isn’t going to work for you then it probably won’t. Try a few simple breathing exercises, a great one is breathing in for 4 seconds through your nose, holding your breath for 4 seconds, breathing out for 4 seconds through your mouth and repeating. Doing this a few times will help slow everything down and help you think more rationally.
5. Eat Something
Try to avoid flying on an empty stomach, airplane food isn’t always the best and if you feel nervous then this can also make you feel sick if you’re hungry. On the other hand, sometimes having a full stomach while nervous can also make some people feel sick so if you know this is you then try to just have a light snack beforehand to avoid any nausea.
6. Have a drink
Make sure that you have some water to drink on the plane, if you have forgotten to buy a bottle of water at the airport shortly after ascending ask a member of the cabin crew for some water and tell them you’re a nervous flyer, that way they will make sure you’re okay during the flight and you will have some water to sip on to ease any nervous feelings.
7. Distract yourself
Having an effective distraction is a great way to forget all about your nerves. If you’re flying with someone then talk to them during the flight about something other than flying. Don’t worry if you’re flying alone, download some of your favourite episodes of your favourite TV shows or a brand new TV show or movie onto your phone before to watch on the plane, listen to your favourite album, take a sketchbook and draw something, anything that you think will keep you distracted and keep your nerves at bay.
8. Pinpoint what you don’t like
Pinpoint exactly what it is that makes you feel nervous about flying, this can help you feel less anxious throughout the rest of the process. If you feel nervous about luggage going missing then try to pack as little as possible or add extra hand luggage on to your flight so it can be with you at all times. If you don’t like take-off and/or landing specifically, then you don’t need to worry throughout the rest (I know, easier said than done) and just remember that those parts only last a few minutes at a time.
