To ask for a distraction and a handhold?

[Thisnamechanger]

It's a boring fear of flying one I'm afraid. I've had a mad few days working at the Fringe with work. Flying was cheaper and seemed like it would be quicker (bloody wasn't in the end) plus I do try and keep up my flying because I think it's important to keep making myself do it.

Anyway I'm predicably at the airport and starting to shake, tight throat, short breaths....

Once I'm actually on the effing thing will probably cry from start to finish.

Any lovely fear of fliers got some strong motivational words for me?

You'll be fine 🙂 think how much better it will be when your home and comfy instead on a hot stuffy train.

Just go with it and don't deny how you feel.
Instead of crying all the way try to reduce it a bit! Listen to something on headphones as loud as you can stand,take a few things to distract you ... rubbish puzzles, crosswords, magazines etc. Nothing which requires much brain power!!
Snacks,drinks.
I often give myself stupid time limits to see how long I can last before I stagger down the plane to the loo

I hate the whole thing...apart from landing. The relief!! Seriously,I do understand. It's irrational and at the same time it isn't.

So hand hold from me. You'll be back home before you know it! I agree it's good to keep doing it so well done you.

I try to think of the pilot. I tell myself that they might not give a shit about me but they definitely care about whether they make it to the destination in one piece and if they thought there was any real risk they wouldn't they aren't going to take off.

That and I make sure I eat and drink something, that gnawing empty feeling seems to make my anxiety worse.

And watch the cabin crew, i try to sit near the front or back because I find it so reassuring to hear them chatting about where they are going later etc that I feel if they are relaxed it must be ok.

I adore landing. It's the best thing ever. No relief like it in the world and I always feel a bit proud of myself. I always get an awful gyppy tummy too before flying

They sell Irn Bru in Superdrug. I love Scotland.

There was a brilliant thread on here a while ago with some posts from pilots about how safe flying in, all the checks they have to do beforehand, etc etc which really helped me. I remember the bit that stuck with me was about turbulence - a pilot explained that you see in films pilots being all harassed and stressed during turbulence but actually they're not at all as they know how unproblematic it is. I think he said they're more likely to be annoyed that their drink has spilled than anything else, even in the most dramatic turbulence!

It sucks doesn't it. A glass of wine (or two), deep breaths and your fav music on the headphones. A handhold for you here too. You can do it Op

I have a terrible fear of flying but I make myself do it as regularly as I can. I also watch the cabin crew closely and take comfort in their chit chat. I find it hard to concentrate on things like books or magazines so I use breathing techniques to keep myself calm.

Good luck xx

Before I read about tummy, I was going to say Dutch courage. I usually have a big glass of red at the airport and some jd and coke on the plane. Last flight however I was pregnant, so I relied solely on my other distraction of tablet + film. Even better now you can use it during take off and landings. I hate take off so just breathe deeply and eyes on the screen helps.

I like landing too, seeing land come into view and a nice glide onto terra firma! And the feeling of accomplishment

My audio books help a bit. Am going to have a Yo Sushi and a massive wine.

On BA when youre crying when you get on they take you up to meet the pilots who are always very nice and seem extremely clever and relaxed. I appreciate it but I feel like a total plonker too.

I did used to be quite a nervous flyer..... someone once said to me “just think of the amount of planes that fly each day and you almost NEVER hear of anything going wrong. You’re actually safer on a plane than in a car” That put my mind at ease a little and now when I get on a plane I imagine it’s a car and if there are any small bumps or turbulence, I just imagine I’m in a car and we’re foing over bumps on the road.

I know it’s easier said than done, but try and relax...watch a movie on your phone/tablet if you have one, listen to some music.

Hope you’re ok

Am on second wine. Hate that you can see the fekkers taking off through the window!

Might it help to see how many planes there are safely flying around right now?

www.flightradar24.com/

I’m a rubbish flyer too and love landing .

I always drink before a flight ( depending on the time of day) and listen to my music plus lots and lots of calm breathing techniques.

See you on the other side

Ooh something else that helped me (even though you'll have landed by now!) is that 97.5% of people survive a plane "crash" ("crash" means any incident where the plane has to make a crash landing). I always assumed that any plane-related incident meant certain death but quite the opposite. Also statistically even if you flew every single day it would still be 55,000 YEARS before you were in any kind of incident.

I’m so sorry for you- although you’ve now landed safely so you’ll be over the anxiety.
I don’t have the terrible panic but I am naturally anxious about most things. One of the things that I do before flying anywhere is watch the planes overhead on their way to Heathrow. I think there is one every 90 seconds or so. I think it helps my brain process the flight as being normal and natural and safe. It helps a bit. Not completely because I’m an anxious person anyway!
I hope you had a safe trip home.