Stress Free Flying Tips

Stress sweat is not the way anyone wants to start their vacation. It is especially sad that some people choose not to travel to avoid flying! I used to be an anxious flyer, but I now enjoy flying. You might wonder how I got to this point. Let me tell you my stress free flying tips.

Reduce stress in other areas.

One of the things I have learned is if I want to be stress free on a flight I need to bring less onto the plane. This means I need to check a bag. I find it very stressful to struggle with a backpack and rolling bag while getting to my seat and sitting down. Now I only bring what I need on the plane with me in my tote or backpack. I don’t have to worry about finding space in the above head bins or getting my bag after landing. I also have an easy access pocket on my bag to keep my ID and ticket ensuring they are easy to find when I get to the gate. If I have a virtual ticket, I make sure to save it to my phone wallet.

I arrive at the airport in plenty of time for my flight, and ensure my bags are not too heavy. Packing my bag right helps me avoid unnecessary stress too. I pack all my liquids in a Ziploc and pack that, along with large electronic devices in the top of my bag, and I empty pockets before getting in the security line. Slip on shoes and skipping the belt will also help you ease through security.

Buy upgrades if you are able.

I am so much calmer in an aisle seat. This means I don’t need to crawl over anyone to use the washroom or get into my seat. Pre-booking a seat can be an extra cost, and can even be a little expensive, however, it is so worth it to me! Booking a seat closer to the wings of the plane cuts down on turbulence you may feel. My choice is near the front of the plane so I can get on and off more quickly. Paying a bit more to book a seat, meal, or check a bag can be worth it depending on what stresses you out. Give yourself permission to spend some extra money and reduce your stress.

Sleep.

This tip can be tough if you are already stressed out, so I suggest using it with other tips. Drink some chamomile tea, use an eye mask, headphones or ear plugs, and lavender essential oils in a roll on to help you sleep on the flight. Another great way to distract yourself is by watching a movie. Make sure to download your favourite comfort movie. For me it’s A Goofy Movie or The Devil Wears Prada. Some airlines have included media, but you may need to download their app before the flight. Some other ways I distract myself when I am feeling anxious are listening to music, playing a phone game, thinking about my trip plans, or doing a sudoku puzzle.

Be prepared.

If I am hungry, tired, overheated, or overstimulated I get very anxious. Make sure to pack items to help you deal with small issues on the flight. For me this list includes noise cancelling headphones, eye mask, ear plugs, lots of snacks, a water bottle, layers that I can add or remove, stain treatment wipes, face and hand moisturizer, lip balm, antibacterial wipes, and allergy and pain medication. You can check out my entire travel emergency kit here. I usually pack the entire thing in my carry on, with a few items in easy to access pockets. When I used my backpack that had two water bottle pockets, I used one for my water bottle, and the other to hold wet wipes. I use the wet wipes to wipe down my seat and tray as soon as I sit down.

This also goes for your plane outfit, please wear something comfortable! Stretchy and soft clothes are my personal favourite. Wear whatever you like but if you would like to feel comfy and chic, I suggest Monos. I have two pairs of these pants, and I am waiting for my shirt which should ship soon. They are so comfy, they look great, and they are built to last.

Techniques.

The last of my stress free flying tips is to use techniques. If you struggle with anxiety, stress, or panic attacks outside of flying, then you probably already have techniques that you use to calm yourself down. Here are a few I use, or my friends use that can help.

• Counting to 100. It is simple enough that I don’t panic that I am not paying attention to my surroundings, but it takes brain effort to remember where I am in the list and is calming. Sometimes I will count my breaths to try to regulate my breathing better.
• Listing items. Similar to counting to 100, choose a topic and list items that fit, for example, fruits or names.
• Humming or singing a children’s song. Something as simple as the ABC’s or any songs that you know very well. The trick is that it should be very simple and well known to you, and hopefully a comfort to you.
• 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. This one is a commonly used technique for those with anxiety. You start by listing 5 things you can see. You follow this up with 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
• Distracting your senses. Some items you might consider are sour candies, scented essential oil roll-ons in soothing scents, hand lotion, fidget toys, or noise cancelling headphones.

Now that you have all my top stress free flying tips, I hope your next trip will be a breeze. Let me know in the comments your own stress free flying tips, or if you tried any of mine! If you need some inspiration for where to travel to, check out my Banff Winter Tips!