52 Projects – Wk 12 - Flying

I’ve been thinking of how I haven’t submitted a project for Week 12 of 52 Projects, and then suddenly realised I have been working on a HUGE project the last few days.

Conquering my Fear of Flying.

On the weekend, D worked out his itinerary for his two week work trip driving around to see all his customers in the NSW and Victoria wineries.  He worked out that he would end up in Melbourne for the weekend.  And we decided that I would fly down to meet him there and we would spend the weekend together in a different city!

The timing was good because I’m not pregnant and therefore not causing any stress to a growing bubby.  I will NOT fly when I’m pregnant.  There is no way known that I am going to pass any of this level of stress and anxiety to our child!  So, the timing of D being in Melbourne and me discovering I am not pregnant was perfect and just HAS to be taken advantage of! 

I have been writing about it here and here in my conception blog.

I began by finding out what homeopathics and tissue salts to take for nerves.  And then set out to become completely aware about what frightens me specifically and then become completely informed about what it is all about.  Knowledge is power.  And lack of knowledge sets the imagination running wild!

As I researched I also came across a on-line course written by a pilot captain designed towards helping people overcome their fear of flying.  The last two days, I have been doing this as well.  http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/ 

I’ve learnt that I am frightened of:

• Turbulence
• Fear of having a panic attack
• Not being in control of anything
• Claustrophobia
• Fear that if something happens to me, there is nowhere to go.

 

And I’ve now learnt what turbulence is and how most turbulence doesn’t even register on the planes dials.  The pilots have incredible technology that shows them where the turbulence is, so they can avoid it as much as possible.  That the only reason they do avoid it, is for passenger comfort.  In cargo planes, they don’t worry about, because it is never a problem and the packages they carry don’t care!!  The plane is designed to fly through the air and turbulence is simply little bumps in the air, just like we go over a thousand bumps in the road every time we drive our cars.

Flight attendants are completely and thoroughly trained in dealing with panic attacks and other medical problems and I would be totally well cared for should something happen.  The course says that I should inform the flight attendants when I get on that I have this problem and that I am trying to overcome it. 

I’ve learnt about the mechanics of the planes and how they are maintained.  I’ve learnt about the pilots years and years of extensive training.  And surprisingly I was encouraged by looking at a few emergency landings and how well they were handled.

I’ve learnt that I can gain control simply by having control over myself.   This has been a big part of this weeks project and has seen me increase my exercise, increase my fruit and veg intake and reduce my sugars and caffeine in order to manage my stress levels much better.  As well as beginning take the homeopathics in order to begin a build up of them in my system in these days preceding the flight.

Co-incidentally, tonight on TV, is the special about the Hudson River landing.  I haven’t yet decided whether I should watch it or not.

So, there you have it.

This weeks project – Conquering Fear of Flying.

Wish me luck!

Next week, I get the fun of photography and showing you all the incredible pictures I intend to take on the weekend!