Nervous flyer What is wrong with me

Emmia

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Giraffe76

Emmia said:

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Thanks for your reply. When you say zone everything out what does that mean and look like please.

marcia_

Giraffe76 said:

marcia_ said:

 I would try a herbal remedy to help you relax or even sleep, valerian is excellent I take it for anxiety and insomnia. 

Sorry for my first question. Would you say the tablets or oil are better and how long before I fly would I need to take it please?

  You can but them in Holland and Barrett or even boots pharmacies in the vitamin section and I use tablets the liquid didn't work as good. Take it in the airport an hour before takeoff. It takes an hour for it to relax me and 2 before I am sleepy and looking to go to bed. I take 1 for anxiety 2 for sleep. 

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-valerian-plus-tablets-60041045

eDicky

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Thanks for your reply. When you say zone everything out what does that mean and look like please.

Dunno about zoning out but with my first few flights during 60/70s I always enjoyed the thrill of the acceleration roaring along the runway during takeoff.

Modern aircraft are maybe gentler and I soon became jaded, but if you concentrate on exhilaration instead of your anxiety, the latter may dissipate somewhat...

Emmia

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Thanks for your reply. When you say zone everything out what does that mean and look like please.

I sort of slow my breathing and try to put myself mentally into my own bubble a bit like meditation.  Earplugs to block noise can help, or having a game on your phone to focus on - something like tetris or doing mental arithmetic if you don't want to look at your phone.

I wouldn't use sedatives (natural or prescribed) as the flights I take are relatively short (up to 3 hours) and I don't want to feel groggy at the end. Alcohol (a small amount, relaxes me and takes the edge off) is burned off by the body during the flight. 

If I fly with someone new, and I'm feeling nervous I tend to mention that I need to zone out a bit. I don't always get nervous though it's usually ok.

NoodleDoodleMan

Until a Star Trek "Beam Me Up Scotty" machine becomes available I think we will all be a bit like the OP to some extent or other ?

Some well known celebrities included - here is one about a noted Scottish footballer.

 https://thecelticstar.com/the-night-red-star-belgrade-were-hammered-by-johnstone-the-tornado/

I had to smile at his comment about not being afraid of flying - just crashing that concrned him !!!

Giraffe76

Emmia said:

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Thanks for your reply. When you say zone everything out what does that mean and look like please.

I sort of slow my breathing and try to put myself mentally into my own bubble a bit like meditation.  Earplugs to block noise can help, or having a game on your phone to focus on - something like tetris or doing mental arithmetic if you don't want to look at your phone.

I wouldn't use sedatives (natural or prescribed) as the flights I take are relatively short (up to 3 hours) and I don't want to feel groggy at the end. Alcohol (a small amount, relaxes me and takes the edge off) is burned off by the body during the flight. 

If I fly with someone new, and I'm feeling nervous I tend to mention that I need to zone out a bit. I don't always get nervous though it's usually ok.

So would you take the valerian for a flight of 5.5 hours or 6 hours?

Giraffe76

So I think I've decided to get some valerian tablets and also go to hypnotherapy plus try the breathing technique unless theres anything else that can be recommended 

Emmia

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Thanks for your reply. When you say zone everything out what does that mean and look like please.

I sort of slow my breathing and try to put myself mentally into my own bubble a bit like meditation.  Earplugs to block noise can help, or having a game on your phone to focus on - something like tetris or doing mental arithmetic if you don't want to look at your phone.

I wouldn't use sedatives (natural or prescribed) as the flights I take are relatively short (up to 3 hours) and I don't want to feel groggy at the end. Alcohol (a small amount, relaxes me and takes the edge off) is burned off by the body during the flight. 

If I fly with someone new, and I'm feeling nervous I tend to mention that I need to zone out a bit. I don't always get nervous though it's usually ok.

So would you take the valerian for a flight of 5.5 hours or 6 hours?

No. As I said I wouldn't take a sedative including valerian even for a flight of 5 or 6 or more hours.

I don't take sleeping tablets at all. Whether on a plane or not.

Giraffe76

Emmia said:

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

Giraffe76 said:

Emmia said:

IvanOpinion said:

silvercar said:

See your doctor, they can prescribe something for you to take pre-flight.

Wetherspoons can also prescribe something

I am on occasion a slightly nervous flyer although I fly frequently, and in extremis a small glass of wine does take the edge off. It may not work for you.

Once on the plane (with or without wine) I attempt to zone everything out, especially for take off, pretending it's a train or a coach that's rooted to the ground... Once you've taken off, there's no escape!

Thanks for your reply. When you say zone everything out what does that mean and look like please.

I sort of slow my breathing and try to put myself mentally into my own bubble a bit like meditation.  Earplugs to block noise can help, or having a game on your phone to focus on - something like tetris or doing mental arithmetic if you don't want to look at your phone.

I wouldn't use sedatives (natural or prescribed) as the flights I take are relatively short (up to 3 hours) and I don't want to feel groggy at the end. Alcohol (a small amount, relaxes me and takes the edge off) is burned off by the body during the flight. 

If I fly with someone new, and I'm feeling nervous I tend to mention that I need to zone out a bit. I don't always get nervous though it's usually ok.

So would you take the valerian for a flight of 5.5 hours or 6 hours?

No. As I said I wouldn't take a sedative including valerian even for a flight of 5 or 6 or more hours.

I don't take sleeping tablets at all. Whether on a plane or not.

Fair enough. I just feel like I need to chill out that much that they would be needed.