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STEP 5 Take supportive actions
There are many other small changes you
can make to increase your comfort.
- Start by reducing your caffeine and
sugar intake on the day before and the day of your flight.
- Drink lots of water or fruit juices --
even if you're not thirsty -- to avoid dehydration from the dry
plane air.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol before
or during the flight.
- Pack a bag of pastimes for the flight:
a good book, crossword puzzles, your favorite music and snacks,
and so forth.
- Get to the airport early; don't rush.
Watch planes takeoff for a while to get an idea of the motions you
might expect.
- As you board the plane, greet the
Captain and look in the cockpit. Consider mentioning to the crew
and the flight attendants that you sometimes get afraid on
flights.
- At your seat, get comfortable; do some
quieting exercises, talk to your neighbor. As others board, watch
faces, notice relationships, greet people as they go by.
- During takeoff, wiggle your toes for
those 30-50 seconds, or take 3 Calming Breaths.
- During the flight, ask the flight
attendants about any sensations on the plane that bother you.
- Pull out your pastime bag and get
occupied with a project.
- When the seat belt sign goes off,
stand and stretch or take a walk.
In other words, get involved;
don't sit and quietly concentrate on your worries while checking your
watch. When you get anxious, review the major points of this section:
remind yourself you can trust the airline industry, accept your
feelings, handle your worries, breathe, relax, and again take new
supportive actions.
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