Quote: Originally Posted by
KaitlinKolors /img/forum/go_quote.gif
IMATS is about 20 days away now and I was wondering if anyone has any flying tips for a first time flyer..I will be flying from Nashville to LGA so it's only a 2 hour flight, but I've never flown before and was wondering if anyone could help ease my anxiety. I will be traveling with my mom so I won't be as nervous but I still am quite a bit. Any and all help is appreciated!
Hi! I have really bad flying anxiety and I'd love to share my tips (Also, pre-welcome to my amazing city! I've been here for a year and have never loved living somewhere more!!).
I'll start with what has been my ultimate cure: Xanax. I've taken it for 2 hour flights and have been fine. I told my GP about my flying issues (two days before my honeymoon to Europe... I was panicked just thinking about being panicked on the flight for so long). It was amazing. I take it right when I board and then I feel "normal". I actually turned to my husband during that first take off and said "Oh wow. Is this how most people feel during takeoff? I always assumed everyone else also thought the plane was going to burst into flames."
Without Xanax, take off is the worst part for me, and of course turbulence. Mentally what helped was an explanation from a pilot that turbulence is very similar to waves when you're on a cruise ship. The air has waves in a similar way -- so thinking of that during periods of turbulence really helped! Of course, I fly more than I like and have hit some really terrible turbulence and that thinking hasn't done much... I'm always the girl sitting praying the rosaries like crazy during those flights.
Honestly, I would pursue Xanax. It not only helped with my flight anxiety, it really helped me not feel so anxious the weeks leading up to a flight. I remember having nightmares about flying pre-flight, and spending so much time worried about feeling so anxious. I also would nearly pass out (I had a G-force feeling similar to a roller coaster) during take out, and that sensation is gone. Since I started taking it -- I realize a lot of people take it during every flight! So, all those calm fliers around you -- it's just us medicated folks
/emoticons/
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