Staying Sane on the Plane

We the People who brave planes are intrepid.

Together we experience hours of discomfort high above the clouds – trapped, smashed, and irritated.

Our legs fall victim to numbness, time becomes a sinister enemy, and suddenly you begin questioning yourself, perhaps asking: “Why in the hell did I even sign up for this BS?”

The answer is simple. You needed to travel somewhere far, and your futile attempts to learn how to fly as a child just never panned out.

Folks, it’s that time of year…the holiday season, otherwise known as over-priced, voluntary torture time.

Maybe you’re visiting loved ones in a small town nobody has ever heard of. Or perhaps you’re fleeing from them, squatting on a deserted island under your kicky new pseudonym…Ginger Gilligan.

Either way, your sorry little butt is going to be on a plane.

So, I thought we could make the unbearable slightly bearable by sharing flying tips. I’ll go first and you can put your two cents in down below.

If I get enough awesomeness in the comment section, I will create a follow-up post next week. Those of you with websites will be linked accordingly.

To be included, I need your comments by midnight U.S. central on Sunday, November 18th.

Here we go!

Britt’s Tips for Staying Sane on the Plane

  1. Peppermint Oil  No more smelling your foul neighbor or the dirty diaper in the row in front of you. Plus, it’s a great pick me up. Dab a smidge of peppermint oil right beneath your nose and enjoy some untainted bliss.
  2. Sustenance  Water, tea, fruit, and nuts are a must! Airplane tea is dreadful so I bring my own tea bags and request hot water. My favorites are peppermint and lemon ginger; both are uplifting and soothe your tummy.
  3. Army of Entertainment  Don’t limit yourself here. There’s nothing worse than bringing a new book you just can’t get into. Be prepared with activities that will excite different senses. Most of us possess technological wonders hosting an array of diversions. I’m pretty old-fashioned: books, music, and a journal for writing.
  4. Covers & Layers  Come prepared for ridiculous temperature variations. Season pending, having a sarong, shawl, or blanket handy is always a versatile staple on and off the plane. Layers are crucial! You don’t want to be stuck in that lumpy sweater when it’s stuffier than a sauna.
  5. Comfy Cute  Save the fancy shoes and clothes for later. Trust me, you will not arrive at your destination looking anything less than disheveled. On another note, being comfortable should not mean wearing your pajamas in public. When in doubt, the jeans/flats combo works like a champ.

Now it’s your turn. How do you stay sane on the plane?

21 thoughts on “Staying Sane on the Plane”

  1. I love your tips and would definately keep that in mind… I don’t mind flying but the long stretch is truly unbearable but since I’ve got no choice and I’ve got no wings of my own, guess I’m stuck eh? Very insightful post! Cheers:)

    1. Thanks so much. I recently flew to a couple of domestic destinations and was thinking about how to make the experience better, as we all know it’s not all rainbows and unicorns.

      We really could use our own wings though, right? SO much more efficient! : )

  2. All very well for long haul Britt. Any solutions for local flights, like, how come you’re always last for the drinks trolley and you’re about to land?
    (Btw loving ENB as Jaye acquires her new identity.)

    1. So true on that drink trolley! I suppose if you want to get creative you can always press the stew light and fake a medical condition (wink, wink).

      I am beyond stoked to hear that you’re loving ENB…yay!

  6. Thanks for the wonderful tips. Peppermint oil I will have to add to my list. Never thought of packing my own tea bags. In addition to books, music and journal, I take notecards and stamps so that I can send some love from the road. And I stock up on gum and hard candy. That way if I fall asleep with my mouth open at least my breath is fresh … That’s all I can think of…

    1. Bringing my own tea bags recently was a last minute decision, but I thought: “This is brill!” Now I can feel luxurious drinking out of my styrofoam cup. Thanks for sharing your tips, Gail!

  7. I agree with the layering. Crucial. I’d add carrying hand sanitizer, Emergen-C, and anti-bacterial hand wipes. That’s all in addition to closing the air flow above your head if at all possible…no need to get sick from the coughing passenger 10 rows back who you’re forced to share *dirty* air with.

  9. I agree with the others, peppermint oil is a great idea! I always bring some food with me as food on planes is terrible. Especially a snack. There’s nothing more wonderful than getting out your own little bag of popcorn or something in middle of the movie; you will be the envy of the whole plane 🙂 And to drink a lot of water – especially for those long overseas flights.

    1. When they come around with those chintzy plane snacks now…I cringe. Of course on longer flights, the alleged meals are quite disgusting. Popcorn’s a great choice…and water is always a must! Thx, Letizia!

  10. Awesome post, Britt. I absolutely hate flying so just walking onto a plane sends me into a spin. I take travel sickness tablets and that seems to calm me down a bit 😉

    1. Aw thanks, Dianne! I used to love flying when I was a kid, but it has lost its splendor…that’s for sure! I fall victim to travel sickness in the car and on boats. So, flying trumps other transportation for me in that regard.

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