advise on getting through a plane ride w/o meds? (yoga, symptoms)

[Shadozer]

i have an anxiety disorder that i have dealt with since childhood. 2 years ago i took my first plane ride ever and took meds to help me get through it. now i will be taking my second plane ride in a few days. i have meds to help just in case but i would really like to try and get through it without them. i feel like i will never be able to do this without meds unless i give it a try atleast once. any suggestions?

[TomSD]

Don't sleep the night before and bring an MP3 player with soothing music. Get a window seat and put the blind down then grab a pillow and blanket and lean against the wall of the cabin and try to sleep.

I guess it would come down to what the focus of the anxiety is but the vibration of the plane, lack of sleep and soothing music usually knocks me right out and I sleep or at least drift through the flight. Makes those long coast to coast flights pass by much quicker.

[SXMGirl]

There are any number of instrumentals that you can get on Amazon.com that will help you. Collage 4 Accousticals is one that I have had for a long time and I don't think they sell it any longer. But, if you google music to help with anxiety, you will find a lot of music to choose from. Download it to your MP3 player, close your eyes, and listen.

[Shadozer]

good ideas, i most certainly won't sleep the night before (not really by choice though.) i've never thought of listening to soothing music, sounds like a great idea! both have great ideas, maybe both of your advice will work as soothing music may help me sleep on the plane! i'm so excited, wish me luck!

[Aptor hours]

I do suggest also yoga and deep breathing to go with the music. Good luck plane rides can be scary They can also be fun!!!

[Giesela]

bring your own little pillow and blankie - the airlines don't always have them anymore and you don't know how clean they are. You could also get a sleep mask.

[Just-Sayin]

Most airports are filled with spent jet fuel fumes AKA Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide will deplete magnesium, Taurine, B12 and calcium levels to very low levels causing a fuselodge load of central nervous system problems. I believe that this is why people are so nervous while flying.

Take these suppliments along next time you fly.

[Shadozer]

interesting to know!

[Elipar]

I HATE riding on planes and I have anxiety over it. Not sleeping the night before is probably not a good idea, because the anxiety will prevent you from sleeping on the plane. In addition, the tiredness will heighten anxiety symptoms. My advice is to get a good night's sleep. Keep the medications in your pocket and think of them as "rescue" meds. As long as you have them, your mind will feel comforted and probably not need them. In addition, bring something to distract you and make the time go by faster. I usually play Solitaire on my laptop or do a Sodoku puzzle. For whatever reason, I can't seem to read a book on a plane.

[deepcynic]

Why not work on the underlying problem?

There is no need to have undue anxiety, it is a safe endeavor, statistically.

If you have decided to fly once you get on the plane there is nothing you can do to influence the outcome. Embrace that.