Have you ever panicked on a flight? If so, today we bring good news: Four easy tips to help you calm your nerves and (hopefully) enjoy your flight.
1. First and foremost, we need to recognise panic for what it is: an attack of anxiety that in the coming few minutes may bring sensations that can be unpleasant but are not physically harmful or dangerous. We must therefore remind ourselves of that fact, and that this, too, shall pass.
2. We should do our best to calm our minds and avoid negative thoughts and impulses that could further aggravate us.
3. Distraction can work well – focusing on something we’re seeing, hearing, or touching, or engaging in some kind of activity such as taking a stroll down the aisle or speaking with someone sitting next to us. It could even be some kind of mental activity, such as focusing with purpose on what you want or need to do when your flight arrives, or even just humming a favorite tune or imagining a pleasant scene.
4. Control hyperventilation with techniques that increase the amount of carbon dioxide we take in, such as
- Closing off one nostril and breathing solely through the other.
- Pursing the lips and breathing through the mouth as if blowing out a candle.
- Grasping a bag in one hand and breathing into it until you feel calmer (careful not to overdo it, as this can raise carbon dioxide levels quite rapidly.
Remember all of the above and you should be able to cut short any panic attacks as well as prevent them from recurring. Bon voyage!
image | gingerbeardman, außerirdische sind gesund