Flying help

[billandtedsexcellentadventure]

Am due to book a holiday abroad needing to go on a plane. I’m petrified. I hate flying and have not done it for years. Tempted to just not go but husband really wants to. What can I do?

Go by train/ferry. Cruise. UK holiday.

Been doing those things or a while @DisplayPurposesOnlywondered if anyone had tried something and it had worked.

I share your pain.

• Beta blockers from the GP. They stop the racing heart. It doesn't calm the nerves but it helps a little.
• Sleeping pills. Again, they don't knock me out, because the adrenaline over rides them, but they make me a bit drowsy which in turn is calming.
• Find a meditation podcast/recording. Experiment until you find one that REALLY helps. Listen to it regularly leading up to the flight and then ON the flight. Ideally one that requires you to count or do some sort of talking to yourself as part of it. It confuses the brain and helps take the focus off the flight.
• Also aversion work can help. Start with thinking about flying. Watch video clips of boarding the plane. Sitting in your seat.
• Book the best seats you can afford. Extra leg room. Aisle seat.
• On the flight, if you're experiencing anxiety, watch the stewards. One of the best things I ever encountered was 2 stewards discussing tights. One had a hole in hers and was pissed off. It was the best, most mundane and calming things I've heard.
• Also don't be embarrassed to ask them to talk to you if you're in the middle of a bit of an attack. They're used to flying phobics.
• No alcohol. It won't help and might make things worse.
• If you are a sicky person and get a dodgy stomach when anxious, pack some crackers or rich tea biscuits to settle your stomach.
• And tell your husband part of the deal is being 100% supportive. A kind person to fly with helps.

It's a multi pronged approach.

Just to say, NOTHING has completely worked on me. But lots of little things have helped a bit. When they add up, they make it less distressing.

Hypnotherapy - find a hypnotherapist you like and can relate to. Check their qualifications, they should offer a free initial consultation. The number of sessions should be around 3. Just Google 'hypnotherapy near me'.

Just to hold off the naysayers, only a few people can't be hypnotised and it's not like a magic show, even the NHS use hypnotherapy now and the way it is used has changed dramatically, it's very professional.

I discovered it years ago when I was petrified to fly to Australia. I recently persuaded a friend who was terrified to fly to China to use it and it worked a treat. If you really want to fly but your fear is stopping you, why not try it?

@Slightyamusedandsillythank you. I will try those.

@IthinkIamAnAlieni was thinking about this. I think I need to try it. Got nothing to lose.

My friend cruises because her husband hates flying is it something you would consider? Have you always been scared sounds horrible .

I developed a fear of flying having previously been fine with it. I read a book called Flying without Fear, which is written by a former BA pilot. It really helped me, and I still take it with me when I fly, even though I'm mostly ok about Flying again.

I hate flying but am not scared of flying as much as the anticipation and loss of control, then my busy mind catastrophises.

I practice mindful letting go which helps a lot. From the moment I check in I focus on simply following the instructions of the ground staff and crew. I just tell muself I am not in control and accept that and simply do what I am told.

I also break the flight up in to manageable chunks in my mind and schedule short activities to focus on for portions of 15 mins or so (eg going to the loo and doing my make up uses 10 mins, ordering a drink and snack and eating it uses 15 mins, checking the transport from the airport and planning the route uses 10 mins) It helps "eat the elephant" of a flight as it were (nb for long haul I think more in terms of 1-2 hour chunks of time)

@Lomonaldit started as a teenager. Came out of nowhere really. Though looking back I don’t know whether it was to do with the twin towers?
yes would cruise. Everywhere seems booked up now though.

@Ginmonkeyagainthat sounds like a good idea.

It really helps keep the mind distracted. I learn it from Mr Monkey who is a marathon runner and he said he never thinks in terms of running the full 26.2 miles but in terms of just getting to the next water point or land mark.

Unfortunately, hypnosis didn't work for me. I spent a lot of money on it to no avail.