10 Affirmations for Nervous Flyers and Travel Anxiety

The instant we reach our row on the plane and cozy into our seats, my husband can doze off. Me? I can barely relax on a plane, much less sleep, no matter how exhausted I am. The minute that plane starts jiggling, my palms are sweating and my heart does its best impression of a flamenco dancer, pounding out rapid steps in my chest cavity. I am not sure which is going to kill me: the imminent plane crash or the heart attack. It’s gotten so bad, I’ve literally thought the flight attendant was going to have to fetch a defibrillator. My coping mechanism? A lot of white wine and celebrity magazines.

But there must be a better way. I have an upcoming journey, one that involves a 15-hour flight, all of it over the Pacific, and I decided I was not going to tremble the whole way. I purchased some lavender essential oil. Then I researched the heck out of turbulence, listening to podcasts from “fear of flying” schools, and reading umpteen articles by pilots, all of whom insist turbulence is a convenience issue, not a safety issue. (This one was the most reassuring to me; maybe it will help you if you face the same concerns.) I’ve now done so much research on subjects like convective turbulence; I think I may have bored myself out of my phobia!

These affirmations for travel anxiety and flying will be my companions when I take flight. If you’re a fearful flyer, like me, and like one quarter of Americans, I hope they will provide comfort to you on your next trip.

1. I am safe; all is well.
2. My fears are not realities.
3. Breathe in, breathe out.
4. I am secure. There is no cause for alarm.
5. Every day, millions of people fly around the world safely.
6. Turbulence is just like a pothole in the road.
7. Planes make noise. This is normal.
8. I’m so grateful to be exploring this beautiful planet of ours.
9. I am a confident, relaxed traveler.
10. I have released my fear and can fully enjoy my journey.