Mindfulness during flight

I'm scared of flying. There... I admit it (to you and finally to myself). I'm scared of flying and it's annoying. Really annoying! I hate being scared of things. I hate feeling vulnerable.

I'm not even sure where the fear came from. I mean, in my twenties I would throw my hand luggage over my shoulder and skip onto random long haul flights destined to my next adventure. I would sit next to strangers and smile and chat knowing that by the end of the flight I would have made a new friend. Then.... In my late thirties it happened... The fear took hold.

Now, I've been practising mindfulness meditation seriously for about 18 months (I thought I should seeing as I was teaching others how to do it!!) and it has helped me immeasurably in different areas of my life but... I had stupidly never thought to use it in this particular situation.

I was recently off on holiday and sat on the aeroplane (just accepting that I was going to freak out) when something different happened. Instead of the fear making me grab the nearest glass of wine, claw onto the seat infront or hold my head in my hands, I found that I simply started to focus on my breath. While sat in my seat, ten minutes before take off, I alternated between a breathing and a body scan meditation. Whenever my mind wandered to the next anticipated catastrophe, when the sound of the engine altered or when we suffered some turbulence, I gently pulled my focus back to the meditation. And... the result? Calmness, focus, can I even say enjoyment of the flight?

I found that I could chat with my kids. I could read my book. I could wonder at the contrast of the white of the plane's wing with the beautiful blue sky. I know it sounds crazy. Maybe you think it was a fluke? But, I don't believe so. I still had the fear of flying but I could use mindfulness as a way of getting some space from the emotion. It was an amazing revelation.

Are you scared of flying too? If so, I want to give you a challenge:

1. One week before your flight, practise a breathing meditation and body scan meditation twice a day.

2. As you wait to board the plane sit quietly amidst the chaos and use whichever meditation that feels more comfortable (or alternate between both).

3. As you walk to your plane, feel the soles of your feet as they touch the floor.

4. Before take off, again practise a breathing meditation and/or body scan meditation.

5. At any point, if you feel scared or become distracted, that's ok, simply recognise your thoughts or feelings and bring your attention back to the meditation.

What've you got to lose??

Gill xxx

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