Anxiety about flying as trip approaches

[YensidRocks]

My trip in August is approaching and I find myself suffering from general anxiety over flying. I have flown before but I'm just not to fond of it. I'm kind of kicking myself in the butt for not taking the amtrak. So I guess my question goes: Is this normal? And does anyone else have these feelings as there trips are approaching. Is there any excersizes that I can use to calm nerves. I'm thinking about the ascension and my heart is racing...

 

[dudspizza]

My trip in August is approaching and I find myself suffering from general anxiety over flying. I have flown before but I'm just not to fond of it. I'm kind of kicking myself in the butt for not taking the amtrak. So I guess my question goes: Is this normal? And does anyone else have these feelings as there trips are approaching. Is there any excersizes that I can use to calm nerves. I'm thinking about the ascension and my heart is racing...

Your anxiety is very normal. The best way to control your heart rate is to control your breathing. Use this trick that Tom Watson uses on the golf course every time he gets nervous.... breath in slowly counting to 4 then exhale counting to four.... controlling your breathing will help control your heart rate...

Everything will be fine.... I personally love flying and everything to do with flying (airports, the planning, the anticipation). Try to enjoy the time leading up to the trip and focus on the positive experience you know you are going to have!

Have a wonderful trip!

Duds

 

[MarkinNM]

My wife is in the same boat! She HATES to fly, gets the same way, it will be ok just relax and know that in a short time you will be on vacation!!

 

[DeadHead]

You could always go to your MD and have him prescribe a low dose valium (5 mg) for the flight. It doesn't make you sleepy or feeling out of it. It seems to do the trick for me.

 

[goofy4tink]

Stop and think about exactly how many people are in planes, in the air, at any given moment! Air travel is very safe. But, I know how you feel..it's not my favorite mode of transportation. But...I would rather be on that plane for 3hrs and have more time in WDW vs 24 hrs (at least!) in a car and arrive at WDW exhausted.

So.....be well rested (if possible) before you fly. Then, take some deep, cleansing breaths....at the gate and as you board. Relax. Take some magazines to take your mind off what is going on. Watch the flight attendents....if they are just going about their business, you're fine. Try to relax. You'll be at cruising altitude in about 5 mins or so...doesn't take long.

 

[Luisa]

I know exactly how you feel as I am also an anxious flyer - but just think, its 10 times worse for me as I face a 20+ hours flight to get there! I always take a really good distracting book and open it the minute I sit down, I also find the deep breathing helps.

 

[DisneyForLife]

There is a free course online on the fear of flying. Check out fearofflyinghelp.com

You may not want to take the course but just looking over what is there may help ease your fears. I am not crazy about it either.

Good luck

 

[Christine]

I get moderately whizzed out about flying. It used to be worse, but I've seemed to have calmed a bit the more I do it.

Like you, I get the jitters as my trip approaches. I am going next week and I'm in that mode of "Darn, why did I book this trip, what if something happens on the plane." I am fairly anxious at this point.

 

[eyor44]

I hate flying with a passion. I always try to book as early a flight as possible and if someone else is driving to the airport then I stay up all night so I can sleep on the plane.
Or for later flights I take a book and a cd player to concentrate on or a portable dvd player (with headphones) and a movie. Good luck. Just remember you are going to Disney. Think happy thoughts about what you are going to do when you get there.

 

[YensidRocks]

Your anxiety is very normal. The best way to control your heart rate is to control your breathing. Use this trick that Tom Watson uses on the golf course every time he gets nervous.... breath in slowly counting to 4 then exhale counting to four.... controlling your breathing will help control your heart rate...

Everything will be fine.... I personally love flying and everything to do with flying (airports, the planning, the anticipation). Try to enjoy the time leading up to the trip and focus on the positive experience you know you are going to have!

Have a wonderful trip!

Duds

Thank you so much. Great advice. I will be practicing that technique. Hopefully it'll work for me.

 

[YensidRocks]

My wife is in the same boat! She HATES to fly, gets the same way, it will be ok just relax and know that in a short time you will be on vacation!!

I keep telling myself that it just doesn't seem to be sticking... lol. Thanks!

 

[YensidRocks]

You could always go to your MD and have him prescribe a low dose valium (5 mg) for the flight. It doesn't make you sleepy or feeling out of it. It seems to do the trick for me.

I've been tossing this idea around. I guess I'm going to have to monitor how I'm feeling in the next few weeks. If im in full panic mode than I just might have to ask for them. Hopefully I'll be able to forgo them.

 

[YensidRocks]

Stop and think about exactly how many people are in planes, in the air, at any given moment! Air travel is very safe. But, I know how you feel..it's not my favorite mode of transportation. But...I would rather be on that plane for 3hrs and have more time in WDW vs 24 hrs (at least!) in a car and arrive at WDW exhausted.

So.....be well rested (if possible) before you fly. Then, take some deep, cleansing breaths....at the gate and as you board. Relax. Take some magazines to take your mind off what is going on. Watch the flight attendents....if they are just going about their business, you're fine. Try to relax. You'll be at cruising altitude in about 5 mins or so...doesn't take long.

I know but the NEWS hasn't been helping my case lately. All of these planes that are having problems due to bird migration patterns and such. Even my daughter who LOVES flying is getting a little green from watching the television. Hopefully the cleansing breaths will get me through it.

 

[YensidRocks]

I know exactly how you feel as I am also an anxious flyer - but just think, its 10 times worse for me as I face a 20+ hours flight to get there! I always take a really good distracting book and open it the minute I sit down, I also find the deep breathing helps.

Wow. I don't know if i'd be able to handle that. Are you fine once you're at cruising altitude?

 

[YensidRocks]

There is a free course online on the fear of flying. Check out fearofflyinghelp.com

You may not want to take the course but just looking over what is there may help ease your fears. I am not crazy about it either.

Good luck

I'll be looking into this. Thanks so much!

 

[YensidRocks]

I get moderately whizzed out about flying. It used to be worse, but I've seemed to have calmed a bit the more I do it.

Like you, I get the jitters as my trip approaches. I am going next week and I'm in that mode of "Darn, why did I book this trip, what if something happens on the plane." I am fairly anxious at this point.

That's just about where I am. We'll get through it. Right. We have to. Hopefully my love for the mouse will save me.

 

[YensidRocks]

I hate flying with a passion. I always try to book as early a flight as possible and if someone else is driving to the airport then I stay up all night so I can sleep on the plane.
Or for later flights I take a book and a cd player to concentrate on or a portable dvd player (with headphones) and a movie. Good luck. Just remember you are going to Disney. Think happy thoughts about what you are going to do when you get there.

I use the same approach. Super early flights and after a full day of touring disney we'll have a late flight home. I try to keep myself good and zonked.

 

[Luisa]

Wow. I don't know if i'd be able to handle that. Are you fine once you're at cruising altitude?

Generally I am, yes, although I do feel strange travelling at night, I think that's because of extreme turbulence I experienced on the way to NY the day after the Egypt Air crash in '99. I guess it's easy for me to look at it as if I want to travel I just have to brace myself and get on that plane! Australia is so far away from just about anywhere so you either bite the bullet and do it or miss out.

Just relax and think about the destination!

 

[Christine]

Just wanted to check back in so you don't feel alone!!

It is two more days until my flight (Thursday morning) and I am getting more anxious each day. I know I won't get to a panic mode so not concerned about that, I just hate the anxiety in the background.

I could tell that last night I had all sorts of dreams (I hardly ever dream it seems) and one had a snake in my car trying to bite me! I then woke up and proceeded to worry about all my kids back-to-school forms and things I had to do AFTER the trip. I just think, probably due to the plane ride, I've just got some generalized anxiety going.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I know but the NEWS hasn't been helping my case lately. All of these planes that are having problems due to bird migration patterns and such. Even my daughter who LOVES flying is getting a little green from watching the television. Hopefully the cleansing breaths will get me through it.

I know this doesn't help ---- but think of the THOUSANDS of flights that are going on without a hitch.

I was in the air on 911 - when it's my time...it's my time. I know, I know...easy for me to say - I fall asleep on ALL my flights. Honestly, I remember only one takeoff in 10 years I have been flying for business.

Having said that......


October of 2001, following 911, I was chatting with the ramp agent - getting my blue group card for Southwest (yes, long time ago). I didn't notice someone was listening.

I boarded, there were only 66 passengers so I knew I would probably have the row to myself in good ole' 20F (my favorite seat -- no one fights to sit in the middle seat toward the back AND...I arrive the same time as row 1).

Anyway.....

A young women stopped at my row and asked if the center seat was taken...I opened one eye and said - politely - no....closing the eye.

She sat down and started chatting.....one eye open again, I tried to be polite AND go to sleep at the same time.

Pretty soon I realized there was someting wrong. She was flying alone. I asked her...."are you a fearful flier" and she said yes. Odd for me because I rarely notice the person in the seat next to me.....I asked her if she would be more comfortable if she held my hand......she exhailed, smiled and grabbed by hand so tight I didn't think my fingers would manage any new blood!

We were flying only to Cleveland (less than an hour flight). I was getting off and driving to Detroit...she was changing in Chicago and ending in Detroit - AFTER I arrived there.

Strange......I asked her if she would like to get off the flight in Cleveland with me and I would drive her to Detroit. She said yes and I made the necessary arrangements with the ramp agent and baggage claim. It was not a happy thing for them because it delayed the flight to find her luggage. (I wrote a very nice letter to Southwest about these two employees and they actually gave me a FREE round trip coupon for being a good passenter -- go figure).

During our drive I realized she was flying to Detroit to attend the funeral of her sister and 2 neices who were killed when their car was hit by a truck. Her husband, a reporter with the Baltimore paper was in Miami - desperately trying to get home. She was basically paralized with fear about flying.....watched me chat with the ramp agent and sat next to me hoping she would feel more safe.

Ever been put in a position by God before? I was that day. I delivered her to the arms of her family and continued on my way.


I know you can do it. Find distractions. Are you traveling with friend and family......talk with them. You will be fine - I have faith.

Still afraid - PM me - I'll fly with you!