NBR: Flying

Kinipela7

Friday, I'm going to be flying down to FL to visit my sister and her new baby!  I can't wait but I get anxiety when I fly.  It's mainly the 1st 20 minutes of the flight that is the worst for me.  All I can think about is crashing and every bump we hit freaks me out.  I've actually never have gone on a plane by myself before, but will be all alone on Friday and I'm already starting to get nervous.

I normally just drink wine before boarding a flight, but can't this time.  What are some tips that help you?

The plane is smaller than what I've been on as well (60 seats) so that is maybe me extra scared.  

Help!

hypotheticalme

Flying doesn't usually bother me, but when I get nervous I just try to think of it like driving down a bumpy road. They're just bumps in the air!

TonyaCody06

can you listen to music with earphones during take off? I can't remember the rules - it's been forever. 

Kinipela7

TonyaCody06 said:

can you listen to music with earphones during take off? I can't remember the rules - it's been forever. 

Not during take-off.  Which is lame because that would REALLY help!

Pintobean39

They make you take the ear phone out before takeoff.

I'm the bad passenger that does everything they say not to do. I play monopoly on my ipad. It's quick to go on and off and I keep a magazine over it when they are talking and if they walk buy I cover it up. I don't really stress over flying but I HAVE to stay busy. I can't just sit there. Maybe get a book or magazine and as soon as you take off put those ear phones in and listen to music or down load a movie to watch.

TonyaCody06

Kinipela7 said:

TonyaCody06 said:

can you listen to music with earphones during take off? I can't remember the rules - it's been forever. 

Not during take-off.  Which is lame because that would REALLY help!

Bummer! So you need mental distraction. What if you closed your eyes and think of a baby name you like for every letter of the alphabet? That would kill 20 minutes, make you think about something else, etc. 

FlashingLights

I think what makes flying so scary is that we aren't in control as passengers. There's nothing you can do to change that, which is a good thing, we're leaving it to the professionals! So IMO, distraction is the next best thing. Check out the Divergent series of books, the third in the series was just released last week! Another idea, be sure to recline the chair as soon as you take off, it's supposed to help you fall asleep easy (if you decide to nap). Also - be sure to not go through the body scanners (metal detectors are ok), request a manual pat-down instead.  

oakley84

Hugs, I have flying anxiety as well. Deep breathing really does help! Breathe in while counting to 10 and breathe out while counting to 10. If you can get away with it, maybe try to get sucked into candy crush or another game during takeoff?  I am also going to second the Divergent books, they will suck you in!

LegalLadyBug

I had horrible flying anxiety years ago, to the point where I would be so worried I would make myself physically ill from it. The doctor gave me anti anxiety meds and I took those for about a year every time I flew. Now I'm over it and I have no problem getting on a plane but the meds did really help me. I don't know if they're safe to take while pregnant but you could always ask your doctor. 

kd&cd

I just flew alone for the first time on Sunday and first time flying prego. Usually i LOVE flying, so I was pretty shocked at how awful the flight was. I was nauseous & dizzy the whole time.
My suggestion would be to ask ur doc for anti nausea meds...I wish I had of and am dredding my flight home tmw.

Kinipela7

kd&cd said:

I just flew alone for the first time on Sunday and first time flying prego. Usually i LOVE flying, so I was pretty shocked at how awful the flight was. I was nauseous & dizzy the whole time. My suggestion would be to ask ur doc for anti nausea meds...I wish I had of and am dredding my flight home tmw.

I'm sorry your flight wasn't good.  I was actually wondering if I would feel worse now since I am pregnant.  I usually don't get motion sickness, but I do feel sick to my stomach from nerves!  Hope your flight back goes better!

peggels24

@kinipela7 - I am prone to motion sickness.  I flew with a ton of turbulence and didn't feel any worse than I normally do.  Hopefully you won't feel any different than you normally do.

lexyhihihi

when i have to distract myself from something i like to imagine what i would do if i had superpowers like flying and shapeshifting and invisibility...  it's bizarrely entertaining.

that said i hope you have a simple, routine flight!  i hate flying by myself too.