i am so scared of flying and i have 5 hours flight on Tuesday. any help how can i relax?

Question

i once took diazepam for to relax but didnt work..i also took herbl sleeping pills but dont work.. when i think i am going on to plane on tuesday i wanna cry..please help me.even if i am tired i cant sleep cause i am so stressed...

Answer 1

So long as you're not flying 'Sleazyjet' you should be able to get help from the Cabin crew.

Be honest and explain you are a nervous flyer and they will make sure you are looked after.

Answer 2

Let the attendants on board know that you are a nervous flier and they will do their best to help you become more comfortable.
Imagine that the air space that you fly in is much like water in a lake with waves, ripples and currents. Imagine the plane acting just like a boat would on the water. That image helps you understand the bounces, bumps and vibrations and it might make you more at ease once you know what is really going on.
There is lots of unnerving sounds on a plane if you do not understand what those noises are. Learn about them. Ask the attendants. For example, the sound of the landing gear coming down. If you know about when to expect it then it won't be so startling or scary.
Keep in mind that the pilots slow down the engines as they get closer to their cruising altitude and that is normal. If there is a chance that the ride might get bumpy the pilots may change altitude to find "smoother air". The bells that the pilots use to page the attendants make some people think that something is wrong. It can mean that they just passed the 10,000 foot level and the attendants can go about their business. It can also mean that the Pilot thinks that the attendants should sit down because they might get into some bumpy air or just that the Pilot would like something to drink.
The more familiar you are with what is going on with the plane and its operation the easier it is to relax.
Sometimes people can be afraid on planes just because they feel that they do not have control of the situation and because they must depend on someone else to ensure their safety. If being a control freak is a part of the fear problem then you should seek help from a mental health professional because things will probably get worse in many aspects of your life if you do not nip that tendency in the bud right away.
Flying gets easier when you do it on a more regular basis and as you get more familiar with the events going on around you.
Vow to never let fear get in between you and your ability to live a full and happy life.
Don't let the big pot-holes in the sky get to you!

Answer 3

Stop by Borders and get five or more CDs of meditation to play before and during your flight. Remember that it is safer than driving (hopefully you are able to drive without panicking now). Also, there are usually friendly people working and in the event of an emergency, they will do whatever they can to help everyone. Cool oxygen masks fall from the ceiling, too by the way. Have you ever flown before? If you have, you know that you are making this too much of a big deal. My first flight was an hour long, and I was pretty scared. But I am doing so much better, that now I can go to Europe and Hawaii without panicking on the flight anymore. Enjoy your flight and make sure you steal all the pretzel bags so you can snack later :)!

P.S. Bring chewing gum so your ears aren't bothered while you ascend!

Answer 4

I used to hate flying - I have to do it several times a month these days. I actually quite enjoy it these days. My biggest fear is having someone sat in front put their seat back (6'3'' you see :)).

What scares you? Turbulence? That's what I used to hate. I think what cured it was an announcement from a pilot on a particularly rough flight from London to Florida. It was September and the Atlantic was full of heavy weather that we couldn't go around. The pilot pointed out that the winds outside were over 100 mph strong. That sounded a lot until he went on to say that we were experiencing medium turbulence and that the aircraft could fly safely in winds over twice as strong.

Try to get a window seat too - the views should take you mind off it :)

Answer 5

you should try this breathing exercise

breath in for 3 seconds then breath out for 3 seconds do this 10 times and it will help you relax. Another piece of advice I have is to chew gum on the plane it will stop your ears from popping during take off and it will give you something else to concentrate on. You could also bring a Walkman/mp3/ipod and listen to some music to get your mind off flying. I hope this helps^.^

Answer 6

I was in your shoes about 6 years ago when I was about to go on my first flight. Make sure you bring a cd player and plenty of cds with your favorite music. Bring anything else to keep your mind off of it. And just close your eyes if its that scary. Trust me its not that bad, I was freaking out that day and even now since 9/11 I went on another flight and I felt very safe and I even sat by the window. You'll be fine.

Answer 7

You could ask your doctor for a mild sedative or try having a couple of drinks . Other than that, and it might be too late this time, there are courses you can do for nervous fliers. They're supposed to really help. But good luck anyway...and remember, flying is still a lot safer than driving.

Answer 8

i know how you feel .i am scared of flying too and have a 5hour flight next week .if i dont fly i would not be able to get away.i listen to classical music and think of nice things and also do some deep breathing exercises and i do yoga too which helps me immensily.good luck and just think of what a nice time you will have it is the safest way.

Answer 9

Valium. Or have a few drinks prior like someone suggested. Or just relax about it without the assistance of drugs or alcohol.

Answer 10

theres no one more frightened of flying than me, try this,take deep breaths during the flight, dont look out the window, watch the film, and have a drink and relax.