Travel Calmer - Our Tips If You're A Nervous Flyer

Distracting yourself has got to be one of the most important things to do if you're a nervous flyer. Over thinking about negative flying incidents will just make your experience worse. Some nervous flyers find it helpful to read a good book, do puzzles such as sudoku, or listen to an audiobook or music to help to take their mind off of their uncomfortable situation.

In the run up to your flight, try to think positively. Over thinking about negative flying incidents such as turbulence and plane crashes will not make your experience any easier. Try to think about the great destination you are travelling to and what amazing activities you will be getting up to whilst you are there. Thinking positive thoughts will help you to believe in yourself, and that you can get through your flight without any issues. Just think that in a few hours YOU WILL BE ON HOLIDAY!

Keep it in your mind that flying is the safest mode of transport. According to Anxieties.com, you are 19 times safer traveling by plane then you are by car. They state that there are around 130 people killed daily in road accidents. Far more than you hear about dying in plane tragedies.

Traveling with someone who is more nervous than you will increase your anxieties. Try to fly with people who are totally cool with flying. Their positive outlook and relaxed ways will rub off on you, reassuring you and calming you down. They also may be able to help distract you, by talking about something that you are passionate about, or playing card games, or gossiping, in order to take your mind off of thinking negative thoughts. Traveling with someone who is more nervous than you will increase your anxieties. Try to fly with people who are totally cool with flying. Their positive outlook and relaxed ways will rub off on you, reassuring you and calming you down. They also may be able to help distract you, by talking about something that you are passionate about, or playing card games, or gossiping, in order to take your mind off of thinking negative thoughts.

Sleeping can be a great way to pass the time when flying. This means less time to feel nervous! It will leave you feeling a lot calmer and refreshed once you have woken up. However, if you struggle to fall asleep while flying, try listening to a calming playlist, using an eye mask and ear buds to block out any noises, and/or herbal sleeping remedies. Hopefully these will help you to fall asleep in no time!

When feeling nervous, our breathing patterns change and become shorter and faster. Breathing techniques can be beneficial for nervous flyers as they allow you to take back control of your breathing patterns. A breathing method that can be done subtly on a plane, is to cup your mouth with both hands or a paper bag. Take big deep breaths through your nose and hold for around five seconds, before exhaling through your mouth. Try these for a couple of minutes to take back control of your breathing pattern.

Even if your seats have been booked, it is not too late to be able to move them. At check-in, explain to the member of staff that you suffer badly with flying anxieties and they may be able to arrange a seat nearer to the front of the plane for you. Sitting nearer to the front will allow you to not see the angle at which you are taking off in as much. It also means that you will not feel as much turbulence if you were to hit any.

Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you when it comes to flying and make your journey and experience a lot smoother.

Don’t forget, you can get your travel insurance from DirectTravel at either www.direct-travel.co.uk or ring our friendly team on 0330 880 3600.