Flying in less than 12 hours and I'm a state

[cricketmum84]

Anyone got any calming methods for me? I'm on beta blockers already for anxiety so doctor wouldn't give me diazepam. I've sat alone and meditated for the last 2 hours.

I am so so so stressed. Apart from gin what can I do to calm myself? X

I used to be a nervous flyer, I actually think it was a great help flying with children because you have to be calm for them. I now really love flying!

OP I took Gabapentin for years and then some more meds were added to the mix. Last year after starting yet another med I started to become extremely stressed out and anxious. I couldn't travel on the freeway. I was terrified of crashing. IT WAS TERRIBLE FOR ME. I would even wake in the night terrified of nothing.

Finally I looked up all the meds I was taking to see if any were causing this. Gabapentin was the culprit. I read some really awful things about what it was doing to people. Some people were too scared to get off their couch while on it. Doctors here in the U.S hand it out for anything it seems like.

I've had become more nervous worried with age but the Gabapentin made it 98% worse. I stopped taking it and am much better as far as being terrified goes.

When you come back from your trip read up on it and talk to your doctor.

No, I'm not mocking, just trying to insert a little humour. I don't like flying either.

It gave me a giggle :)

At the airport now having a glass of Chenin Blanc!

I hate flying always get myself in a right pickle! I’ve just landed at Dublin having flown from New York. I do deep breathing which helps a bit but I know im getting worse with every flight, so I’m going to try and do one of those fear of flying courses.

Have you flown with the kids before? Having the children with me makes a huge difference for me. I don’t want them to think there is anything to be scared of so I control the panic much better than I did pre children.

The other thing that helped me was to realise just how long the real panic went on for (I am worst during take off). I flew with a friend years ago, I had prepared her for months about what a terrible nervous flyer I was. Her response when she saw what actually happened (5 minutes of panic during take off and a couple of smaller panics during) was to point out how short the really bad periods were and point out what a tiny proportion of the flight and the holiday they were.

Good luck, you will be fine and we’ll done for not letting fear win. Have a lovely holiday.

Alcohol. Not joking. I'm really scared of flying when totally sober but a few drinks and I have a lovely relaxing journey 👌

@IzzyGrey I've had a double gin, a pint of San Miguel and 2 wines. Will that do? X

Get a piece of string and put lots of knots into it. When you get on the plane concentrate on untangling all the knots to keep your minds and hands busy. That technique helped someone I know. If you are already at the airport use a shoelace

Oh crap... it's boarding time 🙈

It will be fiiiiine. Enjoy your holiday, and let us know how it went x

Alicante is just down the road! You'll be fine!

You’ll be fine! You’re head might be a bit woozy though after all that.

I get it too. I hate flying. My next flight is next July and that’s far too soon.

Have a great holiday.

I'm the same re landing as you seren and OP.

Love it! Even enjoy the whooshing feeling you get! Think it's because I know I'm nearly there, the reverse being true of taking off.

Have a good holiday OP - you'll be there before I take my kids to school!

It's about learning to be present in the now

Right now the plane hasn't crashed

Therefore right now you and your family are safe

If you can teach yourself to be in the now, there is no need for fear

PS - it is possible to do this ☺️

Because I wasn't stressed enough as it is Ryanair decided to boost it a little.

Been sat on the plane for 40 mins and just told us there is a technical issue with this one so we are having to change!

I need more wine!!

Try to swing it round in your head. It's a good thing they are dealing with the technical issues, far far worse if they hadn't noticed it.

Yes my sister said the same when I text her. Better they found it on the ground than in the air!!

Still not on a plane. And thoroughly stressing about the private transfers we have booked that we are gonna be at least an hour late for!!!

Oh no! Hope you’re sorted soon.
I’m another nervous flier who likes landing! I look out of the window and estimate how likely I’d be able to survive a fall from that height (rationally-not likely at all -my irrational mind-pretty good odds!)

I can just about cope with taking off now but it’s turbulence that gets me-it’s just so unpredictable and I panic that I don’t know when it will end or how much worse it will get.

A technical issue is most likely a blocked toilet or something along those lines.

Ask your self constantly 'is everything ok?', and the answer will always be 'yes, everything is ok'

The technical checks before each flight are part of reason flying is so safe so though its frustrating to wait much better done on ground than risk a problem in the air. They are also ultra cautious on the checks. My DH also works on aircraft safety stress testing.

You’ll be in the air now, OP! On a cushion of clouds...

It’s funny, reading everyone else’s tips and tricks - we all do the same things!