Reading Time: 4 minMy dad introduced me to the wonders of travel at a very young age, and for a brief time, I had a phase where I was terrified of flying. Eventually, I grew out of it and caught the travel bug, but I know and understand the fears of flying.
We can’t all be enthusiastic flyers. But being scared of flying shouldn’t keep you away from your next adventure. If you find yourself nervous about your next flight, here are 8 items I've found that can help calm your anxiety and ease your worries.
Although quite the “weighty” addition to your luggage, a weighted blanket can help you feel grounded during a stressful flight. Weighted blankets create DPT, a deep-pressure touch, that calms the nervous system, triggers serotonin receptors, and can even help you fall asleep on longer flights.
The EverSnug Weighted Travel Blanket comes with a compact sleeve and carabiner so you can attach the blanket to your suitcase or backpack. It also comes in a variety of fun colors to match your favorite luggage set.
Having control of your senses helps to reduce your anxiety, and an eye mask assists in controlling the light around you and calming the mind. A regular eye mask, such as this MZOO Sleep Eye Mask, should do just fine.
However, another option is the FACEMOON Weighted Eye Mask. It delivers DPT similar to the weighted blanket above, but it's significantly lighter to carry than an entire blanket.
Aromatherapy has been proven to help with stress relief. Oils such as bergamot, frankincense, and lavender oil can reduce stress levels and create a calming aroma. If you prefer to avoid applying oils directly to your skin, a diffuser bracelet can work, and also helps the scent of the oils last longer.
Another natural plant-based option used as a stress reliever is Remedy Rescue essence. This is an oral essence that you ingest before a stressful situation that has been shown to calm nerves and relax the body.
Flying inevitably comes with discomfort. Compression socks provide blood circulation, which can help make flights more comfortable and less stressful on your body.
The CHARMKING compression socks come in a variety of sizes and colors and are breathable for those stuffy flights. These socks also help with leg cramping and blood clots, which can happen more frequently at higher altitudes.
Although all planes come equipped with a first aid kit, having your own handy can be nice just in case. You can even customize your own flying kit to include items like sanitizing wipes, medicine, tissues, and any other supplies you may want during a flight.
For a compact kit with all the necessities, the Coleman All Purpose Mini First Aid Kit has bandages, first aid cream, and antiseptic wipes for any accidental nicks and cuts.
When you need physical and sensory activity to reduce your anxiety, stress balls are a fantastic fidget to keep your hands busy and calm nerves.
Keep in mind that some stress balls are filled with gels and liquid, so when buying one, ensure that it's a TSA-approved stress ball. The Serenilite stress balls won’t trip you up at security, and come in several densities for varying grip strength.
If your fear of flying comes from turbulence, having motion sickness relief can be a helpful way to calm your stress and prevent nausea. The typical anti-nausea acupuncture wristbands are a common option to cure motion sickness, but patches are another option that can provide similar relief.
Finally, headphones are a must to drown out those loud plane engines and any excess noise, creating a more pleasant environment. By again focusing on controlling the senses, you can work on staying calm and distracting yourself with your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
Beats offers a multitude of noise-cancelling headphones, including the Beats Studio Pros, which are compact and boast immersive sound quality for a luxury experience.
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