STEP 5:
Take supportive actions
There are many other small changes you can make to increase
your comfort.
- Start by reducing your caffeine and sugar intake on the day
before and the day of your flight.
- Drink lots of water or fruit juices --even if you're not
thirsty -- to avoid dehydration from the dry plane air.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol before or during the flight.
- Pack a bag of pastimes for the flight: a good book, crossword
puzzles, your favorite music and snacks, and so forth.
- Get to the airport early; don't rush. Watch planes takeoff for
a while to get an idea of the motions you might expect.
- As you board the plane, greet the Captain and look in the
cockpit. Consider mentioning to the crew and the flight attendants that you sometimes get
afraid on flights.
- At your seat, get comfortable; do some quieting exercises,
talk to your neighbor. As others board, watch faces, notice relationships, greet people as
they go by.
- During takeoff, wiggle your toes for those 30-50 seconds, or
take 3 Calming Breaths.
- During the flight, ask the flight attendants about any
sensations on the plane that bother you.
- Pull out your pastime bag and get occupied with a project.
- When the seat belt sign goes off, stand and stretch or take a
walk.
In other words, get involved; don't sit and
quietly concentrate on your worries while checking your watch. When you get anxious,
review the major points of this section: remind yourself you can trust the airline
industry, accept your feelings, handle your worries, breathe, relax, and again take new
supportive actions.
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