One thing though that I'm not too excited about is the flying! I've never loved flying on planes. I'm an anxious person in general and there's something about being that far up in a huge piece of metal that just makes me feel very strange! I've got better over the years and have gone from having full on panic attacks on take-off, to being able to breathe through it and no longer burst out crying. It took some time and a bit of finding what worked for me and so I thought I would share the things that I've found that help, just for anyone else that is also a bit (or a lot) of an anxious flyer. So if that's you, then I hope these tips help!
1. Get organised. Get everything packed and ready to go well in advance of your trip and that includes your cabin bag or backpack that is coming on the plane to your seat with you. It sounds obvious I know, but there's nothing worse than running around last minute trying to find things that you can't locate easily, when you're supposed to be leaving for the airport. It just makes your anxiety worse.
2. Arrive to the airport with plenty of time to spare. They say to usually leave 3 hours from your arrival to the airport to your actual flight time and I really recommend following this. Even if you sail through check-in and security, giving yourself some time to sit and have a meal or a drink before you fly will help calm your nerves. Also if you know a particular airport is super busy and it makes you feel worse or you hate the car parking situation at that airport, then seriously consider choosing to fly from another airport. This article discusses why so many people choose to fly out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport for example. Finding an airport that helps makes the process of flying hassle and stress free is a big priority if you know you find flying anxiety-inducing, so don't be afraid to travel further for a better airport experience.
3. Pay the extra and purchase seats together! I always purchase seats next to my Husband when flying as I feel too anxious to sit away from him. So if you're the same and would hate to be split, purchase your seats beforehand and don't leave it to chance. The money will be well spent if it helps calm your nerves. If you are flying with someone who needs accommodations due to a disability or condition then phone and speak to the airline beforehand.
4. Noise cancelling headphones work wonders! These have been such a lifesaver for me when flying as I get very anxious with the noise from the engines before and during take-off. Having noise cancelling headphones (I've got AirPods) means I can barely hear them anymore and it's massively helped my anxiety.
5. Stay hydrated! I find I drink a lot more water when I'm feeling anxious, I don't know if it helps me get my breathing under control or simply provides a distraction, but I always think it's good to have a bottle of water to hand on the plane.
6. Distract yourself. Headphones and music or a podcast or a movie on your phone or a tablet can help distract your mind from feeling anxious. But also you could bring a book or a game to play.
7. Watch the flight attendants. Whenever I feel a bit of turbulence I automatically start to worry but then I look around me and notice that the flight attendance seem calm and relaxed and so I then can tell myself it must be normal and nothing to worry too much about. This helps to settle my anxiety down.
8. Have a look at the flight apps that show how many planes are in the sky at any given moment. Seeing just how many planes are in the sky and how many are coming and going all day long without a hitch gives me some comfort. There are apps that track flights and show how many planes are flying at that time and looking at those helps my brain to see flying as more easy, normal and common than it makes me feel at the time.
9. Remember you're not alone. It's not as uncommon as you think to feel anxious about flying. If you're traveling solo or even with friends or family and you start to feel anxious then talk to a flight attendant. They will have experienced others who have felt similar before and will more than likely help you to feel more at ease and relaxed.
I hope these tips have been helpful! If you're off on a trip soon, try them out and see if they help at all!
Thank you for reading. Alex xo