There seems to be no shortage of news lately on airline mishaps. Just in the last month, there have been stories about barring women from boarding a flight for “inappropriate attire”, overbooking a flight resulting in a passenger being forcibly removed and injured in the process, and most recently a confrontation between flight attendant and passenger. Regardless of if you where you stand on the stories, these are issues travelers will unfortunately encounter from time to time. Since the answer is not to avoid flying altogether, one must learn ways to adapt when confronted with unfavorable situations in the skies or on the tarmac. Fortunately, there are some tricks and tips to remain calm and comfortable during less-than-ideal flight conditions.
Stay Hydrated
Possibly the easiest strategy to calm mid-flight jitters or anxiety is to stay hydrated. However not any fluid will suffice. Avoid caffeinated products as an excessively overactive state of mind will only exacerbate anxiety. Drinking delicious calming teas or water will help curb dehydration and ease irritability. For your next flight, bring along a few packs of Twinnings Nightly Calm. Expertly blended with camomile, peppermint, spearmint and lemon myrtle, this soothing herbal tea has a smooth fresh taste and warm inviting aroma to help you relax mid-flight.
Stay Busy
Whether you have a fear of flying or are looking for a distraction, sitting for hours staring at the headrest in front of you is not a thrilling option. Fortunately, a plethora of distractions are available to one’s fingertips, thanks to the popular tablet. Through the App Store (iOS), you can download books, games, movies, tv-shows, audio books – the list goes on. These little luxuries will remind you of home and keep you occupied and entertained during your flight.
Stay Calm
Whether it’s a mild feeling of apprehension and unease before a routine flight or a full-blown panic attack, anxiety can be highly disruptive. The slightest inconvenience can leave one exasperated and make a quick flight feel like an eternity. Remain calm and overcome your anxious thoughts with Pacifica. Pacifica is an app that provides guided deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises, as well as daily anti-anxiety experiments. It can calm your mind with mindfulness meditations, progressive muscle relaxation, and employs various other tools to help battle stress and anxiety.