Quelling Flight Anxiety
Is your first-ever flight out coming up? We get it—packing, going through airport security, and then sitting on a plane for a few hours while being in the air some 30,000 feet sounds anxiety-inducing. But you'll soon realize that there's nothing to be afraid about. To quell your lingering nerves, here are 20 helpful tips to quash those anxious thoughts. Safe travels!
1. Pack Light
Unless you're going on a trip lasting more than two months, it's best to pack light. If you overpack, you might run into issues, like having to pay for overweight baggage or, if it's a carry-on, an additional fee. Plus, assuming you're able to find space overhead, packing too heavy means it'll be harder to lift—and fit—in the above compartments.
2. Bring a Book
Even if you're not a reader, bringing a book will help distract you. Take a familiar novel that you'd like to re-read, or something engrossing that will take your mind off anxious thoughts and feelings. If you'd rather not bring a physical book, you can always download an e-book or an audiobook beforehand.
3. Noise-Canceling Headphones
More than just regular plane noises, chatter, and babies crying, noise-canceling headphones can block out the world around you and may make you feel less anxious. Make a playlist of all your favorite tunes before your flight so you can listen to them on repeat.
4. Be Strategic When Choosing a Seat
No one likes sitting in the middle, and the thought of being sandwiched between strangers might only make you more anxious. The good thing is that airlines usually allow you to check in 24-48 hours before departure, so you want to be early to pick a good seat. Choose window if you'd rather stare at the sky and sleep the whole way through; choose aisle if you'll need to stand, stretch, or use the bathroom often.
5. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Don't wear tight clothing on long flights. This includes tight-fitting jeans, skirts, and sweaters, and even large coats. Your goal is to be as comfortable as possible, so stick to oversized hoodies, baggy sweatpants, and breathable footwear.
6. Bring Extra Layers
Even though we mentioned not bringing large coats on a plane, you can still bring anything that you can store in the overhead bins. While it usually won't be freezing in the cabin, you should still pack extra layers with you in your carry-on or personal bag so you don't catch a cold.
7. Educate Yourself on Turbulence & How Planes Work
We know—turbulence can feel scary, especially when it's your first flight. But those shifts and bumps are normal, even when your anxious brain is certain they aren't. It may help before flying out to read up on how planes work—you'll realize they're much sturdier than sensationalized articles will lead you to believe.
8. Get to the Airport Early
To avoid being late and rushing through the procedures, you'll want to get to the airport at least two hours before your flight departs. This will give you enough time to check in your baggage, go through security, wind down in the lounge or at your gate, use the washroom, and purchase snacks or drinks before boarding.
9. Let the Airline & Crew Know
If you're not sure you can handle your anxiety alone, don't be afraid to let the airline or crew know. You can choose to let them know beforehand or flag down an attendant once you board the plane. They'll be able to offer support and assistance, and will assure you that the flight will go smoothly.
10. Use the Entertainment System
Most airplanes are equipped with entertainment systems, especially if you're on a long flight. These mini screens on the back of seats have a range of TV shows, movies, games, music, and more to keep you engaged and distracted during the ride.
11. Bring Your Favorite Snacks
Trust us: unless you're royalty and flying first-class, airplane meals are practically inedible. Sometimes there will be fruits, desserts, or salads that can be salvaged, but most of the time you're better off bringing your own food. Before boarding, pack your favorite snacks to munch on when you get hungry—or when you want to skip the weird glop on your tray.
12. Bring a Comfort Item
Whether it's your favorite sweater or a fidget item, bring it with you on your flight. It may be able to offer comfort and familiarity if you suddenly feel an incoming anxiety or panic attack, or just when you have those invasive thoughts.
13. Get a Good Night's Sleep Before Your Flight
Some might actually suggest the opposite: don't get any shut-eye the night before so you can sleep the entire flight the next day. But being sleep-deprived might only make you more anxious when your brain is already rattled, so it's best to get a good night in before flying out.
14. Fly with a Friend
If you can, find a friend to travel out with and fly with you. It will especially help if they've flown before and aren't quite as anxious about it anymore. They'll be able to distract you with conversations—or you can even challenge each other playing games on the entertainment system.
15. Picture Your Final Destination
This is your first time flying, so it must be a special enough destination that you were willing to fly out for, despite your nerves. So, picture it. Picture the moment you land, stepping off the plane and into that new world. Imagine the experiences you'll have and the memories you'll make. Pretty soon, you'll have forgotten all about the fact that you were nervous at all.
16. Get Travel Insurance
Before traveling out, remember to get insured. Travel insurance can ensure you're covered for trip cancelations, lost or damaged baggage, and medical emergencies. While some may decide to risk not getting insurance (if it's a short trip), it's better to have that peace of mind.
17. Prepare for Motion Sickness
If you're someone who easily gets motion sickness, you might want to inform an attendant beforehand and sit in a seat that won't make you feel as nauseous. There are bags tucked behind the seat in front of you if needed, but you may also want to bring your own just in case.
18. Breathing Exercises
When anxiety mounts, it's hard to escape those panicked thoughts and control your breathing. Make sure you know a few breathing techniques so you can do them if necessary. You can also download apps beforehand that have other exercises you can do.
19. Avoid Drinking or Eating Things That Make You Queasy
Before your flight, don't drink or eat anything that will upset your stomach. Unless you can get it all out of your system before boarding, you'll end up feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and queasy, and airplane bathrooms aren't the best places to do your business.
20. Make Friends with Your Seatmates
If you're up for making new friends (provided you're not an extreme introvert), talk to your seatmates! Most people will be more than happy to converse with you. Plus, if they're solo traveling and you need a buddy to do activities with, this is the perfect opportunity to make pals!
