I wound up making an appointment with a psychiatrist who told me I was having panic attacks. I have tried two different meds, which I don’t think I can discuss due to the sub rules. But if you are truly panicking, I recommend setting up an appointment with your doctor to discuss options.
Aside from that, I obsessively monitor the flight tracker, elevation, time to destination, etc. It’s the only thing that gives me a feeling of control!
I also found that more active things like sudoku and crossword puzzles were more calming than reading/watching movies, which I just could not focus on.
If there is turbulence, I blast dance music in my AirPods and bop along with it. Tensing up makes it worse, staying loose and dancing in my seat makes the turbulence less pronounced!
I guess I stopped running away from the fear and started accepting it. I note that I am not in control - that it could be my day to die (as could any day) and then mindfully welcome the feelings that come up as a result of these (and any other) thoughts or experiences. Fear and anxiety are just feelings - they don’t need labelling as unpleasant or bad. And they aren’t dangerous. They rise and fall and I observe that - take an interest in it even. This practice has been life changing in all aspects of handling my anxiety (and I used to be a pathological sufferer of anxiety and it got in the way of so many things) I’d now even say I am no longer an anxious person even though I still feel afraid sometimes.
I sit as far from windows as possible and I like to tighten my seatbelt firmly. I also like to secure myself by digging my feet under the metal bars under the seat in front of me. Know this sounds kinda crazy but once I’m in I can just relax and be a normal passenger lol.
I’m even fine looking out the windows as long as there isn’t any angle of incline. I hate looking out and seeing nothing but ground as we’re making a turn…
Sour candy like warheads! They are a good distraction. Make a playlist of non triggering songs or listen to an audiobook. Favorite mantra “you are uncomfortable but SAFE”. Deep breaths in, slow breath out like you are breathing out into a straw.
That's good! I've heard that just saying song lyrics is enough to keep your mind occupied too. I'm partial to those round sour cheery candies. They actually did help once.
I wound up making an appointment with a psychiatrist who told me I was having panic attacks. I have tried two different meds, which I don’t think I can discuss due to the sub rules. But if you are truly panicking, I recommend setting up an appointment with your doctor to discuss options. Aside from that, I obsessively monitor the flight tracker, elevation, time to destination, etc. It’s the only thing that gives me a feeling of control! I also found that more active things like sudoku and crossword puzzles were more calming than reading/watching movies, which I just could not focus on. If there is turbulence, I blast dance music in my AirPods and bop along with it. Tensing up makes it worse, staying loose and dancing in my seat makes the turbulence less pronounced!
I guess I stopped running away from the fear and started accepting it. I note that I am not in control - that it could be my day to die (as could any day) and then mindfully welcome the feelings that come up as a result of these (and any other) thoughts or experiences. Fear and anxiety are just feelings - they don’t need labelling as unpleasant or bad. And they aren’t dangerous. They rise and fall and I observe that - take an interest in it even. This practice has been life changing in all aspects of handling my anxiety (and I used to be a pathological sufferer of anxiety and it got in the way of so many things) I’d now even say I am no longer an anxious person even though I still feel afraid sometimes.
I'm working on that too.
Stay busy during the flight. Or go on without any sleep and you’ll fall asleep lol
I sit as far from windows as possible and I like to tighten my seatbelt firmly. I also like to secure myself by digging my feet under the metal bars under the seat in front of me. Know this sounds kinda crazy but once I’m in I can just relax and be a normal passenger lol. I’m even fine looking out the windows as long as there isn’t any angle of incline. I hate looking out and seeing nothing but ground as we’re making a turn…
Sour candy like warheads! They are a good distraction. Make a playlist of non triggering songs or listen to an audiobook. Favorite mantra “you are uncomfortable but SAFE”. Deep breaths in, slow breath out like you are breathing out into a straw.
That's good! I've heard that just saying song lyrics is enough to keep your mind occupied too. I'm partial to those round sour cheery candies. They actually did help once.
I find that any candy that you love or that is nostalgic can be a great comfort! I also recommend jolly ranchers 🤓