Tips for staying calm while flying!

Tips for staying calm while flying

By Bethany Whittington

Flying. Its one of those things that you either love or hate - or maybe you're a little bit in between. Either way, it can be extremely stressful and anxiety-inducing - from the security checks where you instantly feel like a criminal (even though you've done nothing wrong), to being in an enclosed space for hours thousands upon thousands of feet in the air. Not to mention that the news seems to make it seem like every plane you flying is a death trap. 

But the reality is, you're far safer in a plane than you are in a car. But, you don't fly in a plane every day (unless you're a pilot or a flight attendant, of course), so your brain thinks that its a threat, because it recognises that "hey, this isn't something you normally do! This is dangerous!" But I assure you, flying is perfectly safe - new technology and higher standards can assure that!

Still, it doesn't stop your brain from heading into panic mode, so here are some tips I personally use to ensure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible:

• Have everything ready - Let's face it: security checks in the airport are terrifying. One wrong move, and you could be detained for being suspicious (not really, but it feels like it). One thing to make you feel a bit calmer is to have everything - your passport and boarding pass - ready. Once you've checked in, you'll only have your carry-on with you, and you can hold your passport and boarding pass in your hand. Slide your boarding pass into the page where your photo is, so the officers don't have to flick through your passport and take up more time than necessary. Ensure all your liquids are in a zip lock bag so you can place them separately in the scan and ensure you have no metals or anything else in your pockets (that includes your belt). As long as you're prepared, there shouldn't be any troubles.
• Avoid caffeine - This should be rather obvious, but I myself enjoy a nice cup of coffee. However, caffeine is known to increase anxiety, and I know my brain goes into overdrive once I've had a cup too many. So the best option is to avoid caffeine before your flight - opt for a relaxing herbal tea instead. If coffee is offered on the flight, its best to have it at the end.
• Read the facts - No, this does not include the news. The news always talks about the bad news because, lets face it, good news doesn't sell papers. The only reason you hear the most about plane crashes is that they are super rare. Even so, there's a good chance you will survive it - pilots don't spend years training for nothing! Heck, if the news commented on every car crash, it would take all day! Millions of planes fly every year, and thousands fly every day. This website, Flight Radar, allows you to monitor and watch planes at this very second. Just looking at it, you see how many planes are in the air. Its soothing and intriguing to watch, and it assures you how safe flying really is. If you're really concerned, check the safety rating of your airline - the more safety stars the better.
• Breathe - Again, it seems self-explanatory, but it really does help. In for 3 seconds, pause for 3 seconds, out for 3 seconds. This helps oxygen flow through your body, and almost instantly relaxes you. 
• Stay distracted - When you're bored, your mind tends to wander and in a stressful environment, that means thinking of the worst case scenario. Keep your mind distracted with books or the entertainment the airline offers (...preferably not about planes). 

Flying is an interesting, exciting experience which allows you to explore the world like we never have been able to before. While it can be stressful, remember that its one of the safest ways to travel, and you're only on the actual plane for a few hours!

Have a safe flight!