Panic Flying

JT said:

Anyone else feel the same about flying? How do you manage it?

I do quite a lot of flying, mostly long haul and have a few approaches to help.

1 - plan, plan, plan.

Keep a list of the things you need to take and prepare them well in advance. Get your bags, padlocks, cargo pants (great for all the pockets), small toiletries etc and have then packed, weight checked and ready to go.

Keep a list of the documents and processes (eg check in) you need to have and set reminders of what things need to be done nearer the point of travel so they are all covered in a timely manner.

Consider any issues you are likely to encounter (missed connection, overbooked hotel etc) and have a backup plan for these.

Sort out travel money and tell the bank about where you are travelling if you will use your bank card. Also limit the amount in your account in case your card is cloned or stolen (have it somewhere you can transfer in case of emergency too).

Check all expiry date on things like passports, visas and credit/debit cards.

For short haul flights like Portugal I treat it just like a longish bus ride - go to the bathroom before you fly, if you worry about number 2s then take immodium so you won't go. Travel light and try to treat the travel like a part of the holiday so you won't worry about finding luggage space for your hand luggage. People watch for entertainment if you are not into reading a magazine or book.

The flight will inevitably have some turbulance and they are built to amazing tolerances which is why a crash is a rarity. Understand this and the rationalisation should help overcome any fear.

Accept it will be different to normal, embrace it and go with the flow. Getting uptight will only make your stress livels rise so maybe have a beer or glass of wine while you wait in the airport if this helps. It does for me, but keep it to one drink.

Last week I flew from Brazil - Paris - London then train to Glasgow and my local town on the west coast - 33 hours end to end and it went smoothly because I planned well and had luck on my side. By mentally preparing for it I found it wasn't stressful - uncomfortable and tiring yes but without stress.

If you know how to use mindfulness then it works incredibly well here - not everyone has the patience to use it but I recomment giving it a try,

JT said:

Anyone else feel the same about flying? How do you manage it?

I do quite a lot of flying, mostly long haul and have a few approaches to help.

1 - plan, plan, plan.

Keep a list of the things you need to take and prepare them well in advance. Get your bags, padlocks, cargo pants (great for all the pockets), small toiletries etc and have then packed, weight checked and ready to go.

Keep a list of the documents and processes (eg check in) you need to have and set reminders of what things need to be done nearer the point of travel so they are all covered in a timely manner.

Consider any issues you are likely to encounter (missed connection, overbooked hotel etc) and have a backup plan for these.

Sort out travel money and tell the bank about where you are travelling if you will use your bank card. Also limit the amount in your account in case your card is cloned or stolen (have it somewhere you can transfer in case of emergency too).

Check all expiry date on things like passports, visas and credit/debit cards.

For short haul flights like Portugal I treat it just like a longish bus ride - go to the bathroom before you fly, if you worry about number 2s then take immodium so you won't go. Travel light and try to treat the travel like a part of the holiday so you won't worry about finding luggage space for your hand luggage. People watch for entertainment if you are not into reading a magazine or book.

The flight will inevitably have some turbulance and they are built to amazing tolerances which is why a crash is a rarity. Understand this and the rationalisation should help overcome any fear.

Accept it will be different to normal, embrace it and go with the flow. Getting uptight will only make your stress livels rise so maybe have a beer or glass of wine while you wait in the airport if this helps. It does for me, but keep it to one drink.

Last week I flew from Brazil - Paris - London then train to Glasgow and my local town on the west coast - 33 hours end to end and it went smoothly because I planned well and had luck on my side. By mentally preparing for it I found it wasn't stressful - uncomfortable and tiring yes but without stress.

If you know how to use mindfulness then it works incredibly well here - not everyone has the patience to use it but I recomment giving it a try,

Thanks Iain, this is a very generous answer. It went well, and I planned ok. But as I don't travel much I hadn't thought about much of that just through inexperience. I have Crohn's disease so much of the stress comes from potentially having to travel whilst ill. The way out was fine, but the way back I was a bit ill, so that ups the stress levels.