To ask how you conquer a fear of flying

[Function]

Flying for the first time in 8 years next week. I used to fly a lot with the aid of tranquilisers and alcohol but neither are an option now owing to small children and having to drive upon landing. How do I stay sane and not transmit the fear to my children? Thank you

Take a short internal flight?

Let staff know to keep an eye on you?

Breathing techniques?

Talk the kids through what’s happening?

Ear buds and an iPad?

What are you scared of exactly? I hate flying but it's the sensation rather than the safety etc. I am very sensitive to pressure changes and feel all the ups and downs that most people don't seem to feel at all. A travel sickness was tablet helps a bit but I generally spend the entire flight breathing heavily trying not to be sick or panic.

I’m an extremely anxious flyer. I have to travel a lot with work and I did the BA course and I highly recommend it. I feel much more informed and it helped me so much.

flyingwithconfidence.com

Mindfullness, meditation, breathing will have to do at a short notice. And organise some therapy when you get back so you are ready for the next time.

I have a severe phobia of flying and didn’t fly for a decade. It is completely irrational, like many phobias, so fear of flying courses etc have no impact.

I flew last year with my children and my desire to not have them be scared made me able to present as if I was fine.

I listened to a meditation to stay calm and whilst truthfully, I hated every minute, I didn’t have a panic attack and I did it. Good luck!

Very nervous flyer here! Are you going with anyone else (bar kids)? If so, they can be primary parent while you focus on you.

Long term, hypnotherapy is a great help. But for now, download The Flying with confidence book on Audible- I found it incredibly helpful when going long haul recently.

For me, I hate the thought of any turbulence- I’m fine with take off and landing. I try to imagine that it’s just bumps on a road.

The more you fly, the better it becomes. People literally do it for a career.

I hope you’ve got a lovely trip planned, focus on that. Download a funny series on Netflix and try to find some element of enjoyment in the actual flight.

I read a post on here that made complete sense and has eased my anxiety with flying since.

We are used to being on terra firma, being up in the air can be discombulsting experience and I've been prescribed diazapam in the past as I didnt half get worked up.

That post made me recognise that the anxiety was rooted in how planes travel through the air, slowing their speed, tilt and move to a higher or lower altitude. I underestimated the impact this had on all of my senses. That post made me recognise that I was way too sensitive to the above.

Putting headphones in and watching a film, has helped me massively and the last time I flew I even fell asleep, without Benzos!

Thank you all so much! I will definitely look into fear of flying courses and hypnotherapy courses when we are back, and try the other suggestions in the next few days. My sibling had hypnotherapy and I asked him what he learnt from it. Apparently his hypnotherapist told him to realise he had no control over the situation and I thought - yes! That’s exactly why I’m terrified. So not sure how helpful hypnotherapy will be. I do hate the slowing down at the end of take off, the tilting etc. I also hate people going up and down to the toilet … always think it will unbalance the plane.

I hate flying too and I have found that the more I do it, the easier it gets. Last year we had a long haul flight then two shorter journeys to take the teens somewhere else and by the end of the holiday (6 flights total) it was easier so this year was not so bad. I also find noise cancelling headphones with an immersible film really helpful. And lots of G&T, although I realise you can't have much if you're the driver.

There is a book by Alan Carr on getting over the fear of flying.