How does one stay calm on a plane?

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Shibi

Do some research before your flight to familiarize yourself with air travel, planes, and airports. You'll feel much more at ease if you have an understanding of what is going on. Dress comfortably (and be mindful of the security issues if you wear a lot of metal (belts, bracelets, etc.)). Stretch and deep breathe before your flight. Make sure that you get a seat that you are comfortable with (aisle, middle, window) and in a location in which you are comfortable (over the wing, rear of the plane, first class, etc.). When you board, take a look at the pilot and the flight attendants, greet them with a smile and eye contact, and show them your boarding pass (they will be so happy that you were nice to them - if you have needs during the flight they will be much nicer to you). In your carry-on take some activities that you can do to distract yourself: dvd player, music, books, magazines, etc. Take something that comforts you (a Woobie, Koosh ball, scarf, old t-shirt, whatever). If you are concerned about getting hungry and there is no meal service on your flight, pack your favorite lunch and take your time eating it during the flight. When you board, or shortly before you board, take a benadryl or something that will make you a bit sleepy so that you can sleep on the plane. If you find that your phobia is acute and you are very concerned about it, see your doctor for a prescription medication. Most importantly, relax. Chat with your row-mates and see what they're about. You never know who you'll meet on the plane. Have a good trip and try to enjoy the flight.

Look Away, I'm Hideous

I always take Xanax b4 flying. Ask your doc, it is cheap, be careful though it is addictive.

Terry E

Smoke a nice joint of senzo, make friends with John Daniels, and bring your own tunes.

Tim

First of all, why are you scared??? If you've never flown before, then you don't even know what you are afraid of technically..

Flying is extremely safe!!

I'd recommend taking a Xanax to calm you down. You can get that from your doctor. My dad is deathly afraid of flying too, but he takes one before his flight and he's as mellow as a stoner (without the high.)

To ease your mind further, bring a book, Ipod, or maybe a PSP to further take the edge off.

Finally, I'm not sure what airline you're flying, but if you were flying on JetBlue or Virgin America, they both offer Live TV on their planes. So that would really calm you down to watch ESPN while you're flying!! Good luck

Third_Eye_Dude

What I do is go to the bar at the airport and order a double captain and coke. it doesn't seem like a lot of booze but once your in a different altitude it will make you sleep like a baby.

Eric C

Tranquilizers... booze... sleep... bring a friend... join the mile-high club...

Oh wait... damn - forgot to ask how old you are! (*laughing*) ... if you're too young for MOST of those suggestions - just do the third & fourth ones.

MyMichelle

Xanex

Bob Smith

I love flying. Just look out the window, and take pictures.

Besides, more people die each year by cattle running over them than in airplane crashes.

Mrs_Golub

I used to be terrified of flying,and flew for the first time in my life in 2005,all the way from the UK to the USA.
I discovered taking meds to try and calm me,made me worse. Because all's it does is block the feeling for a while,but when the med wears off,it came back worse.

What helped me alot was cutting out caffine (no cups of tea or coffee) a few days before the flight,and just imagining being where i was going,getting myself excited about seeing a new country and thinking about how much fun i'd have.
What's scary about first time flying is,you don't know what to expect,you don't know what it's going to be like,so it's hard to prepare for it.
I swear,once the plane started,i was so excited. You see views you'll never see on the ground,it's a smooth ride and it's just like being on a bus.
Make use of the in-flight entertainment (music,movies etc),i personally find it hard to read on a plane,but i can watch the movies ok.
Since 2005,i've flown many more times and i love flying now. I even miss it when i don't fly for a few months!

So,like i said. Just think about where you're going,think about the things you're gonna do,the new things you'll see,and just don't worry about how you're actually gonna get there!

Also,if you're especially nervous,talk to a flight attendent. They deal with people in this situation all the time,and are really nice and will talk to you about anything you have to ask them.

Have a good trip x

YA!!!

Just constantly keep on thinking: "the pilot's trained for this, so nothing's wrong"

And whenever you hit turbulence (worst part of any flight) and it scares the cats out of you, just think: "the plane's designed for such conditions, and the pilot's been through a lot of these, so he knows what he's doing"

And you must look forward to airplane food... mmm mmm! delicious!

Jolene The Queen

breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out

Shabba Labba Dingdong

Have a drink at the bar - or before you go, it will relax you. Then make sure to use a breath mint.

I remember my first flight I was really nervous - I just went in head strong and made myself look out the window when the plane took off. It was a great sight to see - now I am glad I didn't close my eyes!

Veronica Alicia

I've flown round the World 3 times and many flights in and out of Europe (from First Class to Cattle Class, mostly the latter).
There is no way you can equate comfort and enjoyment with a very tiring and boring experience!
You could try hypnosis, sedatives or a few drinks, but I find the best thing to do is to take a boring book which sends me to sleep for as long as possible before getting off for the drag to Customs and luggage collection.

Jane

distract yourself during take off and landing, read a magazine, talk with the passenger next you, anything interesting to take your mind off of the flying part, you might feel a bit dizzy during take off, but it'll go away in seconds, and the change in air pressure might bother your ears a bit, but once that part is over, the flight will be smooth, most of the time you can't even tell if you're moving, it'll be somewhat noisy though. watch an on-flight movie, read a good book, don't eat too much, chew gum if you get nervous at anytime, listen to music, get up and walk around when the safety belt light is off. The landing part is a breeze, so no worries, enjoy your flight :)

~â™¥â™¥amberâ™¥â™¥~

Hi I had the same problem but now I love to fly. It is a great experience. Ok here's some tips

When you get on the plane tell yourself that it is going to be a good experience and that it is safer to fly than to drive.

Bring something to squeeze if you get scared. Like a blanket or bear.

Tell yourself that you are going to have a great time when you get there.

To make it a good experience:

Look out the window because there are so many things you can see out there! You can see miles and miles away.

Ask if you can go see the pilot. It has so many buttons and it looks amazing. If your not to young but not to old they might let you drive the plane for a minute.

Have a great time and consider yourself luck I wish I could go on a plane ride. I just love planes!

Alec A

Well if i were you go to a Shrink and tell them that you have a hard time flying and they will give you medication that will relax you while you fly. Have a good flight

not fair

drink as much as you can, just joking
you are not the only one who is afraid of flying, some take relaxing pills.
take one of your favorite books and read it.
try to solve a puzzle or cross words.

something that it will keep you buzzy while flying

good luck

Amanda

Have a good read here:

http://www.fearofflying.com/

I was a terrible flier, but as my parents live abroad I had to deal with it.
After reading this I have become much more comfortable about flying>

Rambler222

Go to sleep!

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