Have to fly but scared, what do you do that helps.

[Cerialkiller]

My stupid relative has gotten married again, so we've booked flights. I've managed to avoid a plane for a few years but now it's time to face it.

I'm well aware that it's the 'safest' way to travel but tell that to my monkey brain as I'm gripping the armrest every time we turn or fall, or rise....

It's in April so I have time to come up with some coping strategies. Flight isn't long enough for sleeping pills unfortunately. It's only 2.5 hours. I can't be too zogged out as will have two small children with me. DH will probably nap the whole time...Please help!

That is a very personal thing though - seeing the wing makes me feel a bit freaky. Always aisle seat around 6,7,8 rows back!

I like the idea of this.

Remember, the two people in the little room at the front of the plane have a very real and personal interest in getting the thing safely to the destination - and have had hundreds of hours of training and experience in order to be able to do so.

You could try watching a few live streams from BigJet TV. He's at LHR weekly just filming takeoffs and landings. It's a bit geeky but does remind you how many thousands of flights go each day with absolutely nothing untoward happening. (Maybe skip the live storm ones though, although they show you even better the skill of the pilots and robustness of the planes.)

Ditto Flightradar24. All those thousands of planes doing exactly what they are designed to do.

Hypnotherapy. Trust me, it makes such a difference. I always had a fear of flying. I needed alcohol plus a sedative (!!). You aren’t supposed to mix those, but I had to.

Then I got pregnant and could have neither alcohol nor a sedative. 😬 I was doing hypnotherapy for birth and I employed the same techniques but when flying. Amazing! I no longer have any issues flying. I don’t drink anymore anyway, but definitely don’t need a sedative and I hardly even think about it.

Nervous flyer here!
I always take Rescue remedy with me, I especially like the chewing gum and have 2 when we take off. I always try and distract myself with books and sudoku and download things to watch on my phone. Noise cancelling earbuds are amazing too.
Good luck!

Yes I have this issue, the stress sobers me up so I just have a big of a headache.

I might give the hypnotherapy a go, there's several in my city.

I did study hypnosis as part of my psychology a level so I hope it doesn't innoculate me against it working!

I tried this ( pre kids) in the hope it would send me to sleep, but it only resulted in needing a wee every five minutes and not being able to focus on my book. Neither of these are ideal in a plane for hours.

Sympathies, I hate it too.
I watch the staff laughing and joking or looking bored.
I sit over the wing if possible in the aisle seat and don't look out any windows.
I read a magazine, something lightweight.
Definitely get DH to sort the kids as well, like you said. Ideally without them realising how scared you are.

My father was a pilot and he told me it’s more dangerous to drive a car on a motorway. You think about the amount of flights every day and none of them crash. However there are always car crashes every day. I know I would prefer to fly than get in a car. I hope this helps.

I've gone from being so nervous that I once got to the top of the steps and then refused to get on to being able to sit by the window and look out. I used a combination of

Hypnotherapy
Fear of flying course
Rescue Remedy
Wearing sun glasses and/or a visor
Noise cancelling headphones
I also requested special assistance as I realised that standing in queues was a trigger for panic attacks, this REALLY helped until I was able to manage

Good Luck, it's shit

Noise-cancelling headphones were hugely helpful for me?

Flying Without Fear by Captain Keith Godfrey. This is a brilliant book recommended on here last year. I got the Kindle edition but the paper back is the same price, about £3.
I tried hypnosis but not good for me neither is alcohol, that just makes me paranoid.

Like someone else mentioned, have a look at flight radar app. You see ALL the flights in the whole world on a map live. Thousands and thousands just minding their own business flogging with no issues. It certainly quietens my logical part of thinking.

In ear phones with noise cancelling headphones on top.
Rescue remedy sweets.
Watch the crew like a hawk
Text everyone a goodbye and I love you message ( overdramatic but just in case)
A baileys or 2!
I have a bottle of water half filled so I can see the water and as soon as you can put the tray down I place bottle on tray, I watch the water when it is bumpy etc and even though it feels like I'm on a roller coaster the water barely moves! It's strangely calming.

The bottle of water idea is genius