Flying

[Alice7x]

Hi!

I am going on holiday soon and the thought of flying is making me really anxious, it's not so much about the flying it's self, it's my worry of having a panic attack whilst being in the air or falling ill! Last time I flew I felt really lightheaded and convinced myself that I couldn't breath properly (silly I know) and this lead to panic attack symptoms...Has anyone got any tips on how to try and prevent this 😣 feel like anxiety is such a vicious circle!!

Any help appreciated, thanks xx

[Jeff1943]

"Do what you fear and the death of fear is assured." So said the great American philosopher Norman Vincent Peale. Alice7x, you may already know this but when you're on that plane breathe in deeply, hold it 4 or 5 seconds, then breathe out slowly and repeat. This releases natural tranquilising hormones. At the same time feel every muscle in your body relaxing and going limp including an imaginary muscle in your brain. And if bad feelings come, like an anxiety attack, just accept them, don't fight them - that only causes more tension and anxiety. So just accept them calmly and without fear knowing full well they can't kill you, can't disable you and can't send you crazy. They are just glitches in your nervous system causes by anxiety.

You'll be fine, believe me, Alice7x. And you can be sure you're not the only one on that plane with the same problem, let's just hope it's not the pilot (only joking😊).

[Alice7x in reply to Jeff1943]

Hi Jeff1943, thanks for your reply I really appreciate it! I will definitely take on board (literally haha) what you have said and concentrate on my breathing as I think this is where I go wrong. You're right, I'm sure I won't be the only one...Thanks again!