I'm flying today and I am terrified, any one low of any podcasts or anything I can download and listen to on the flight?

[hamsterballs]

I have flown many times in my life so I know what to expect , but I am still terrified.
I will have my 2 young kids with me and my parents.

Does anyone know of anything I can download to reassure me throughout the flight?

*know of any

Missing the point entirely, will you be able to listen to something throughout the flight with 2 young DC?

The calm app is good and the headspace app too for meditation and calming - not sure if you'd need the paid for ones to use it offline / download bits. Worth a look on the App Store 😊

I'm a phobic flyer - so you have my sympathies. How long is the flight?

Have you got the Headspace App? If not, I think you can get a free trial for a week - download that and do some of the guided meditations. I was very skeptical - but they really help me. If you can find the nostril breathing, I like that one! It involves a bit of concentration on the action - so is a good distraction.

I love True Crime podcasts (might not be your thing) - I like Southern Fried True Crime particularly, she's a good story teller with a soothing voice.

Otherwise - S-Town is fantastic and thought provoking and Happy Place is an interesting listen depending on the guest. If you want something light hearted then Off Menu is fun.

Depending on the length of the flight - can you buy yourself some pamper bits (silk eye mask, face cream, posh hand cream, soothing essential oil) - plug yourself into Headspace and treat it like a mini spa break? I usually try and have a glass of prosecco and do this - it helps trick my body into thinking I'm having a treat!

Otherwise - try and reframe your fear as excitement - the 2 feelings are very similar, so run towards it rather than try and fight it.

You'll be grand xx

Thank you both so much for the replies.
My kids will be happily entertained by 1 grandparent each.
It's only Spain, so a short flight.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will get downloading!

What about just a podcast or book which is really interesting, and shifts your attention?

I found Alan Carr’s enjoy flying book super useful in getting my phobia under control.

Also I use noise cancelling headphones during the flight, which make me feel calmer.

Not really relevant for your situation, but for me, nothing works better for flight nerves than getting out my laptop and doing some work. Somehow it takes my focus away from the situation much better than reading or music.

My Therapist Ghosted Me
It's really funny

BA did a book for people with flying phobias. I didn't expect to find it helpful, but it actually really was. Probably best read before a flight rather than on the flight, though, so maybe one for the future. I find it reassuring to know what the noises, flickers of lights etc were caused by, and the breathing and relaxing exercises are very helpful.

In terms of distractions, I actually find that looking after kids is the best thing!

Good luck, I really sympathise.

Hi - I have been a very, very anxious flyer - to the point of not seeing family abroad for years :(
I can really recommend the BA fear of flying course for in the future, it helped me SO much...not useful for today!

For today - check out "lovely' - they have a really supportive Facebook page, and excellent podcasts; episode 44 is a relaxation one, and got me on holiday and back!
I hope you have a good flight

That should say 'Lovefly' - apologies, autocorrect!

You're Wrong About (2 hosts take a subject and talk about what actually happened, all the common misconceptions etc, it's wildly interesting!)
Help, I Sexted My Boss (Jordan North and William Hanson, very funny, bit of a chat show/agony aunt vibe)
Shagged, Married, Annoyed (Chris and Rosie Ramsey, very funny, also a kind of chat show/agony aunt vibe but they're just hilarious together and tell lots of their own stories too)
After Work Drinks (An Aussie and a Kiwi, they talk about pop culture etc, I really enjoy them because it feels like you're listening to a girlie chat)
Not Without My Sister (absolutely hilarious, two Irish sisters living in America who talk about absolutely everything, it's one of my favourites)

I'm a nervous flyer too and found that if I had a podcast in my ears and a book or video game (even a phone app, I recommend Leps World, it's a bit like Mario) in front of my eyes, then I was a lot calmer. Good luck, you'll do great!

I have netflix on my tablet and download a film which I find really helps.

BBC Sounds Charles Paris mysteries are good - a bit of Bill Nighy never did anyone any harm. Or the Lovecraft investigations (also BBC), nicely absorbing and spooky. A couple of year ago I had an MRI. I was a gnats cock away from a full blown panic attack for the duration. The thing that worked was I mentally cleaned my kitchen. Started in one corner, and in my imagination I worked my way around the room doing every handle, work surface, gadget etc. A proper imaginary fettle. It really helped and I'm certainly no Kim or Aggie. Also a bloody Mary on the plane 😉

Oh god, you're a genius!! I'm going to try this when I can't sleep. I always try to imagine myself doing different things when trying to fall asleep and lately, my go-to (being at the hairdresser and getting a full oil treatment, scalp massage, the works) hasn't been working. Thank you!!