DEAR IDA: DEAR IDA: I used to think I was just a little nervous about flying, but lately it feels like my anxiety has turned into a full-blown dread every time I even book a ticket. Between the news, rough flights, crowded airports, and all the tension in the country these days, I find myself wondering whether I should just drive everywhere instead of getting on a plane. But my family lives across the country, and work sometimes requires travel, so avoiding flying forever isn’t really realistic. How do I calm my nerves enough to travel without feeling like I’m white-knuckling it from takeoff to landing? – Terrified at 30,000 feet.
DEAR WORRIED: Sometimes, your nerves can become frazzled no matter how well you plan for a flight. My most recent experience included a mad dash through the airport even though I had arrived 2 hours early for my flight due to a last-minute gate change. Needless to say, I was very much in need of the beverages being offered on the flight!
If the hassles that come with flying are your biggest source of irritation, my recommendation would be to book the earliest flight possible. By doing so, you’ll have more opportunities to take a later flight if your original flight gets cancelled. IF your flight departs on time, you;ll have time left in your day to decopress, play tourism, or visit with family. Pack only a carry-on bag to avoid the possibility of lost luggage. Book a direct flight whenever possible so that you don’t have to worry about missing any connecting flights. If you are traveling to attend a family event, schedule your travel 2 days before the day of the event so that you have an extra day to deal with any travel delays that would otherwise result in missing the event. If possible, give yourself an extra day to return home so that you aren’t stressed over missing work or getting the kids back to school if you experience delays.
To help deal with any anxiety you feel over a crowded airport, occupy yourself with activities such as reading a book or listening to calming music. You could also watch your favorite movie or listen to a podcast. One word of caution is to keep track of time if you are doing something that would prevent you from hearing any announcements over the intercom. Check the arrival/departure board regularly to ensure that no changes have been made to your flight or gate assignment.
Once you are on the plane, pay attention to the safety demonstration even if you’ve heard it countless times. Make note of where your seat is located in relation to the emergency exits and make a mental note of which one to use in case there is an emergency evacuation. If your flight experiences turbulence, try the 4‑7‑8 breathing method (inhale 4 sec, hold 7 sec, exhale 8 sec) to calm your nerves. If you are seated near an overly talkative or unruly passenger, try using guided meditation or listen to white noise to take your mind off of your surroundings.
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