Travel Anxiety: The Quick Meditation I Use On Flights
Growing up, I was really fortunate to have travel be a big part of my upbringing. My moms side of the family lives in Sweden so we’d often spend summers over there. My dad traveled a lot for work. Whenever he could, he took us with him. Because of it I have the best childhood memories of adventures in places like Thailand, Beijing, and the Caribbean.
My parents made the whole airport experience feel so fun which, looking back, is probably what made us such relaxed travellers from a young age. Simple things like getting to pick out a pack of chewing gum (which we were never allowed to eat otherwise haha).
That love for travel continued into my teenage and early adulthood years.
As I’ve gotten older though, something started to shift. I developed a fear of flying. Travel anxiety that seemingly came out of nowhere.
Maybe it’s because we’re exposed to so much. Horror stories that pop up on Instagram or in the news. We’re absorbing endless amounts of information about what could go wrong.
My '“the airport is the best place on earth!” attitude became one of nerves and fear about my safety.
The flight could be days away, and yet the butterflies are still there.
To soothe this mental anxiety, this is what I’ve been doing…
As the plane is taking off, I close my eyes.
I repeat silently & internally to myself;
“May I be safe”
“May all beings on board be safe”
I repeat it like a mantra.
Holding on tight whenever I start to feel low grade panic set in.
”May we be safe. May we be safe. May we be safe”
Through scary thoughts and turbulence, like a prayer.
I’ll come back to this mantra throughout the flight whenever I need it.
In addition to this, I focus on my breathing. I make my exhales longer. That’s a good trick and physical breathing cue you can use to signal to your nervous system that it’s safe.
When we land, I normally give a little prayer of thanks. Gratitude for the ability to travel. Gratitude to my guardian angels for protection. And a silent blessing to all those around me (strangers and friends alike), that safety continues to surround them on their journey.
Try it out! See how it goes, and I hope this practice brings you peace next time you fly!!
xx, jewels
Do you get flight anxiety? What do you typically do to calm yourself down? Let me know in the comment section below.