How to Beat the Fear of Flying Before Your Next Family Vacation

  • May 29, 2010
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Is your family vacation to South Carolina coming up, and instead of feeling excited you’re feeling nervous of getting on the plane? You shouldn’t have to deal with anxiety on your vacation, you should only be thinking of all the fun you’re going to have on the beach with your family. Here are a few tips for beating that fear of flying before it’s time to fly.

Before your trip, listen to a self-help tape about the fear of flying or read a book. There are many of them out there that answer every paranoid question you want to ask but haven’t. Educating yourself will make you feel much better about flying and you’ll have an easier time overcoming your fears.

Eat a hearty meal before you board. Low blood sugar causes stress, so make sure you eat a good meal before it’s time to fly. Also avoid caffeine because it can make you jumpy.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Many people who are afraid of flying try to delay getting to the airport because they’re afraid of boarding the plane. However, delaying will just make you stressed that your family is going to miss the flight and then you’ll never get to start your family beach vacation. Rushing to board will increase your stress and that’s the opposite of what you need to do. You need to approach the flight being as calm as you possibly can.

Distract yourself, especially while you’re taking off. Read a book or a magazine. While you’re in the air, listen to your iPod, watch a movie you’ve never seen, eat some peanuts, talk to your neighbor, do anything to take your mind off your fears.

Have a drink. Keyword here, one drink. Try a rum and coke to calm your nerves, but do not drink too much because you’ll eventually feel awful and risk becoming sick on the plane.

Ask questions. If you think you see a wing flapping unnaturally or you hear a weird noise, ask your cabin crew what it is. It’s probably nothing and they can relieve your stress by assuring you everything is going smoothly.

Following these tips will get you ready for your next family beach vacation in no time, and this time you won’t have to dread travelling, instead you’ll be excited you get to spend a week in paradise with the people you love most.

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