While this year has been an aberration, I normally fly more than 50,000 miles each year. Years ago I wasn't as comfortable as I am today and looking back, my responses to simply turbulance were comical at best. For instance, when experieincg bumps I would grab the seat in front of me ... as if that is going to do any good if the plane goes down. Today though, I'm much more comfortable with travel and use the simple advice a friend once shared. He said, "if you are ever nervous look up and find a flight attendant. If they are still casually serving drinks and talking with passengers then there is nothing to worry about." While comforting advice like that is helpful, there are some great gift ideas that you can buy yourself or give to a friend to make that next flight a bit more comfortable for them.
Many of us are fearful fliers, although that doesn’t necessarily mean we give up traveling by air due to that fear.
Flying by plane is statistically safer than traveling by car. For example, there are around six million car crashes each year in the U.S., according to the NHTSA. In 2018, there were only 160 accidents involving commercial planes in the entire world, resulting in 534 deaths.
In 2019, there was an average of one fatal accident every 5.58 million flights.
There’s quite a discrepancy there, but if you’re a fearful flyer, even the statistics may not be enough to calm you down when you’re in the air.
The following are some gifts that might provide comfort to the fearful flyer in your life, or even the frequent flyer for that matter.
Sleep Scarf
A sleep scarf is like a modern take on an airplane or travel pillow. They look a bit like a neck brace, which can seem off-putting at first, but this is an excellent way to travel and keep your head propped up.
Your head will stay up while you sleep and not bob everywhere. That sense of comfort can help even a very nervous traveler get shut-eye.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
A set of noise-canceling headphones is a great investment, or it can be a perfect gift for someone who flies frequently or is anxious about flying.
With noise-canceling headphones, you can block out the plane engine, the kids who might be screaming nearby, and pretty much anything else you don’t want to hear.
Noise-canceling headphones are pricey, but most users feel they’re worth it.
Travel-Friendly Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets became hugely popular a few years ago. The idea behind a weighted blanket is that the weight helps reduce anxiety.
Weighted blankets are based on a therapy technique called deep-touch pressure therapy. With deep-touch pressure therapy, the pressure put on your body releases serotonin in the brain, which is called the happy chemical. When your brain releases serotonin, it can promote a sense of calm well-being.
A weighted blanket on a plane can help you deal with stress and settle your nerves so that you can get some sleep or just relax.
Choose a blanket that’s compact enough to take when you travel, and soft and breathable as well.
Weighted Sleep Mask
A weighted sleep mask is a great gift idea. There are similarities between the concept of a weighted sleep mask and a weighted blanket.
With a weighted sleep mask, the light is blocked out, and it can promote relaxation.
Weighted sleep masks offer pressure therapy and may help improve your quality of sleep not just on a plane, but in hotels and any time you’re traveling.
Microfiber Socks
Being incredibly cozy and comfortable on a plane is one of the best ways to work through anxiety.
Lightweight microfiber socks are perfect to wear on a plane, and the more comfortable you are physically, the better off you’re likely to feel mentally.
Aromatherapy Roller Balls
Aromatherapy can activate your smell receptors, and then that activation transmits messages through your nervous system where they go to your brain. Using aromatherapy oils can activate specific parts of your brain. These oils might also trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in your brain.
Some people find that aromatherapy can improve their feelings of relaxation, ease stress, and improve sleep.
Choose a soothing scent such as lavender in rollerball form so it’s easy for your friend or loved one to travel with.
Rescue Remedy
Rescue Remedy is a brand-name product that many people swear by for stress relief, and it may work as the perfect gift for a fearful flyer.
Rescue Remedy is a type of Bach Flower Remedy. Bach Flower Remedy was developed in the 1920s and 30s using flower essences. The idea was that conditions caused by negative emotions could be relieved with flower essences.
Flower essences are a homeopathic way to deal with stress and anxiety.
Finally, any gift that will keep someone distracted while they’re flying can be good if they deal with fear. For example, why not an adult coloring book and a set of colored pencils to keep their mind off what’s going on around them and what they’re afraid of?
A Kindle can also be a great gift for a nervous flyer so they can focus on a book.
With these gifts, even a nervous flyer might be looking forward to their next trip.
