Flight anxiety and how to relieve it.

We are leaving to go to Maui next week and Im a little nervous about the 8 hour flight. I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions on how I can relieve some anxiety. Only those with SERIOUS NON SMART ELIC RESPONSE NEED TO RESPOND.

I am not usually able to sleep on planes, and I do not drink. I get a little anxious with turbulents, even small ones.

Thanks for your help.

Flight anxiety and how to relieve it.

I am not what you could call an enthusistic flier - so I literally start a couple of days beforehand - I slowly ease my way into meditation on the goal. Warm breezes, palm frond rattling, and lowering myself into a low state of calm. It takes practice and it can be easier sometimes than others. However have managed to get it to a %26#39;place%26#39; in my head that works for me. By the tiume we leave for the airport I am already on vacation. Narrow your focus into what soothes you.

Take a book that you expect to fall into. Take a small blank notebook and fresh pen/pencil for scribbling through any little idea that pops up. Renting a personal DVD player was a great thing that made the flight much easier than watching the movie or listening to music. Small expense with big results.

Get yourself some Tension Tamer tea, or chamomile - Sleepytime, or such, they can get you hot water on the plane and you can also drink it while waiting to board. Try Rescue Remedy (tiny bottles of stress relieving liquid sold in health food section). There are tiny toothpicks, called Australian chew sticks that are infused with herbs and they also are great at taming raw nerves (here I find them at drugstore) the ones I ike are with tea tree oil. Another idea is a fresh little box of crayons and a coloring book - may sound silly but sometimes bringing out the inner child can help you change your focus and relax with play.

Flight anxiety and how to relieve it.

Well, I fly all the time and I still get pretty nervous with turbulence.

This may be silly, but it is not meant to be a catty response ...

I tell myself over and over again that planes do not crash b/c of turbulence ... it%26#39;s the equivalent of driving your car over bumps in the road. Planes sometimes encounter very severe turbulence (rarely, though!) and are still fine ... just stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened.

The other thing I do sometimes ... and not sure if you are a church-goer but I am sure you could extrapolate this exercise into something else ... is go through the alphabet and think of a hymn that starts with each letter and then sing every verse that I know (i.e., A= Amazing Grace, etc.) I know lots of songs, so that keeps me occupied for a while!!

Books and movies are good too ... although I find it%26#39;s hard to keep my mind on a movie if the plane is bouncing around.

As far as sleep goes, you might consider getting a prescription sleep aid just for the trip. Or take a couple of benadryl ... that seems to work for me.

I never sleep on planes and I think that is a good thing because I have no trouble falling asleep at night when I get to Hawaii!

I read. I don%26#39;t like headphones so I seldom watch the movies or listen to the music, but my husband does.

If you are seriously worried about anxiety, ask your doctor for a prescription for a few mild anti-anxiety pills like lorazepam and when to take them. Since you do not drink, no problem with ';mixing'; worries.

I find a book ... a really good book that I am anxious to dive into and save it for the plane. Sometimes 2 books. Then during the flight I read ... time goes so fast. And you%26#39;re into the story.

Second on the Rescue Remedy. It%26#39;s made from flower essence (whatever that is!). You should be able to find it at any health food store. It%26#39;s gotten me through some pretty stressful times.

Of course my first line of defense (I know you said you don%26#39;t drink but I%26#39;ll mention it anyway) is a good stiff drink at the airport before getting on the plane, and then on the plane, as soon as the drink cart comes through I get the Trader Vics mai tai. LOVE those! I think only Hawaiian Airlines has them.

Only 5 more weeks till Kauai! woo hoo! I can already taste those mai tais!

first...I dont think that it wil be a non-stop flight from Kansas... so relax

I fly a lot and here are some positive ideas:

1. forget all the drugs, potions and stuff.

2. Have a positive up beat attitiude...think about where you are going dont obsess with the little things... or they WILL control you get a good night sleep and have a big carbo-rich meal prior to the flight.

3. Get a Aisle seat...there is nothng to see on the flight just clouds and there are no views on arrival worth a window seat

4. Sit on the right side of the plane...it will be cooler and more comfortable.

5. bring a book... watch a movie...they will have a full schedule of movies and TV shows,

6. Drink plenty of liquids and get up every 2 hours and stretch.

7. if flying on United...pay the small extra fee for an economy plus seat ( 5-6 inches of extra leg room and better seats)

Think positive..dont obsess...dont psych your self out.....

I also have anxiety on flights; I cannot sleep or read. The only thing that helps me is my Ipod. I download TV episdoes or movies before we leave and that will hold me over; plus the airline will usually show a movie. I live in L.A., so my flight isn%26#39;t as long as yours (it%26#39;s about 5.5 hours), but that%26#39;s what helps me.

I didnt say that we flying nonstop from Kansas. We leave MCI stop in Dallas and then it is 8 hours from there.

We%26#39;ve done the long flight from Chicago to Maui several times. I was really nervous the first time, as the longest flight we%26#39;d done before was 4.5 hours. But, it really didn%26#39;t turn out to be nearly as bad as I thought it would. It could have been because I was so excited about finally visiting Hawai%26#39;i after wanted to go for so long, but I was surprised as how fast time passed. I brought several cheesy magazines that I wouldn%26#39;t normally read - along with several that I had saved up for the flight. They also showed lots of mindless entertainment, including sitcoms, and 2 movies. My best pointer is not to watch your watch! Time will DRAG if you keep checking your watch every 10 minutes.

The flight is a necessary evil, but it is well worth it. You%26#39;ll forget all about the flight as soon as you dip your toes in the sand.

.

Hi People,

I think that H/DAN has it altogether and may I add that it wont hurt to talk to other passengers who are on a similar mission as yourself and most

of them would have had a few doubts of their own in early days. Dont worry about a few shakes as they come with the territory as I found out on my 1st trip from Sydney to Hawaii.I did trip number 8 in

August.If the Airline you will be on are as good as Hawaiian then you will be in good hands.{5 times.]

There is a theory that goes-'; When in doubt there is no Doubt.'; Think Positive and the end result

will be positive.. All the very best for the trip and all of the others that will follow..NoelinOZ..