I get this feeling during take off as well. It makes me so nervous that I start gripping onto the arm rests. I always wonder why I seem like the only one affected by the turbulence and everyone else on the plane is nonchalant about it.  

Is there any way I can help conquer my fear? Do relaxants and muscle exercises really help? And is there any way I can check way before the flight to ensure I’m about to get on a very smooth flight so I don't have to be anxious?

Even though I still do fear flying, visiting your website a few months ago to read up on turbulence really did help me. I didn't feel as much anxiety as I normally would in my most recent flight to Xiamen, China.  

Thanks to you! I'm sure you hear this often enough, but still I would like to thank you for all the effort you put into helping fearful flyers like me to face our biggest fear!  Your answers really do make us feel more secure and enlightened. I would really appreciate it if you could answer my three burning questions in the previous paragraph. I'll be flying off to Taiwan tomorrow morning.  

Since it's winter now, I’m expecting turbulence. Getting nervous again! Cross my fingers it'll be a pleasant flight.

Best Regards,

Jean from Singapore

Hi Jean, 

If you have gone through all the answers in “Air Turbulence”, all your burning questions have been answered before. However, I would just like to elaborate a little as regards to the “stomach sinking feeling” that you fear during the turbulent flight.

When you have a fear of flying, every little thing is magnified. This is not to say that only you feel that anxiety of the plane’s bumping along in turbulence. I am equally concerned about turbulence and do get that kind of “stomach sinking feeling” sometimes, but I am used to it now.  

Some people take turbulence better than others. Some even pay money to get that kind of thrills – the roller coaster rides! Not for me! I don’t like roller coaster rides as they make me sick! It gives me nausea. Nausea is the feeling which usually comes before vomiting and is often described as "feeling queasy." To some, the sensation of nausea may be accompanied by a sinking feeling in the stomach and a feeling of dizziness. Nausea may also be part of motion sickness.  

Motion sickness is often caused by the abrupt jostling of the aircraft due to turbulence. The repeated motion and continued stimulation of the inner ear disturb your sense of balance and equilibrium. Many fearful flyers may have witnessed or experienced air sickness themselves but were helpless during this time. The embarrassment of “throwing out” may aggravate the fear. 

The following few tips can help to minimize the severity or prevent air sickness. Amongst the many, try to look outside the aircraft and hold your head still as your eyes send the message to your brain on the direction of the motion. Do not try to read or look at near object in the aircraft. Take deep concentrated breathings, open air vents, loosen clothing and relax. Anxiety and rapid or abrupt movements will exacerbate your condition.  Choose a seat at the over-wing area or middle of the aircraft where it has smaller angle of motion. The wider angle of motion is at the rear of the aircraft.  

There are also many preventive drugs available at the counter or by prescription from your personal doctor. Remember, some of these drugs may also cause you drowsiness too. 

So, if I can experience the same feeling in the cockpit as you do at the back, you need not have to fear. As I have advised some in a magazine, if nothing works, just pretend that you are on a roller coaster ride when you next get caught in a turbulent ride!

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Re: Aircraft matters

Very interesting, I actually did not know that reading contributes to our queezy feelings. I also experince these same kind of problems, and whenever I look around, I see others handling it better than I do. And, it is kind of weird because I am quite physically healthy, doing lots of sports activities all the time. The stomach sinking thing, to me, is described in a way where you feel high pressure being exerted to your stomach, making you feel edgy and uncomfortable the whole time. Maybe after a few rides, you will be able to get use to it.

Jeremy , 03 Feb, 2009

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stomach sinking feeling

Dear Captain Lim,

I have the same problem as Jean. The stomach sinking feeling drives me crazy. I know the feeling is similar to taking fast lifts (which I dislike too) and in a car when it goes down a steep slope, but being in a plane, the drop can be much much more. My body becomes very sensitive to slight movements of the plane, constantly holding onto my seat, especially during take-offs and landings. When the plane returns to height below the clouds for landing, I will be quite nervous, because that can be quite shaky too.

The sudden UP movement and Down movement feeling is what I am afraid of, (similar to roller coaster rides which I don't take) and that seems hard to "cure". I know I have got to accept that all these are part of plane travel, but I still can't conquer this phobia. What can I do?

Jamie , 11 Mar, 2009

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Loss of Balance

I have been back from my trip for 4 days now and my balance has not returned to normal. I used to think it was on trips when we were on cruise ships and that it was due to having sea legs, but I'm starting to think flying throws my equilibrium way off for days!

Karen , 16 Mar, 2009

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sinking feeling

i hate flying now just because i had a 5 seconed sinking feeling on takeoff waht can i do

mattthew evans , 04 Apr, 2009

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To Jamie

Hey Jamie! I totally understand how you feel. Sucks to fly huh? I'm so afraid of the up and down movement of the plane. And I agree with you, it's so hard to "cure" this fear! Well I don't know if this helps but i've been wanting to try out this website which helps fearful flyers conquer their fear of flights. You may wanna try it too, it sounds really promising!

http://www.toptips101.com/anxiety/fear-of-flying.htm?gclid=CMytta_g7JkCFcQtpAodZ1GRQw

It's called the GoGetterJetSetter

Jean , 13 Apr, 2009

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Turbulence in the air

Hi, can anyone advise if I will experience severe turbulence in the plane from S'pore to Hongkong during the period of End Jul. Am taking a trip there, but have a phobia !!!!

Ginger , 26 May, 2009

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No need to worry :)

I once had the chance to visit a pilot training center, and i was more than thrilled to open the subject with a senior captain at the center, who clamed my fears by stating the fact that Aircraft wings undergo severe bending/fracture tests in which they are subjected to severe forces inorder to verify their abilities to withhold. So whenever you are on a flight experiencing severe turbulence,no matter how afraid u are, be assured that the wings can withhold. And if it manages to create lift for the tremendous aircraft weight, than it's fit to deal with such minor ordeals
Hope that helps.

Ahmed , 31 Oct, 2009

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Fear of flight

Hi,

I have serious fear of the up down feeling when i am in the flight. It affected me so much that whenever i see a plane or the thought of the plane makes me feel breathless, hasten heartbeat, feeling nauseating and outbreak of cold sweat. I am really very reluctant to fly. However, next month, I need to travel to US for urgent matters. The flight will take about 20 hours. I really don't know how to survive the anxiety during the 20 hours. Is there anyway to get rid of the fear?

adel , 27 Nov, 2009

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Take offs, Turbulence and Nausea

This is a very helpful site. Thanks for setting it up.

When the plane is taxiing to the runway it always reminds me of an old bus lumbering over a rough concrete road which is sort of comforting. I would say that in my experience most light to moderate turbulence in the air is generally the same as but often less than the movement and shaking we experience in that drive around the airport. On the question of take offs and landings, sorry folks but I do very much like them and find them very exciting. I didnt used to. Provided the plane moves and climbs consistently its motion feels quite natural. If you dont like them try taking daylight flights and get a window seat just behind the wing, where you can see the ground and this will help you orient your sense of up and down and tilt side and back/front. You can also see the flaps moving up and down in response to wind and air flow and it will help you see how the plane is working to smooth out the lumps and bumps. Dont read during take off but try and look out of the window. You can still see out from aisle seats too. Also get yourself some cheap foam earplugs to reduce the din of the engines and the screaming children during the flight ! You can replace them with music from the headset when you are properly on the way.

Couple of other points. After the initial climb the plane generally goes up through two layers of cloud, one at about 3000 to 5000ft and again at about 10000 ft and at each you might get a few bumps but not much. If the flight does get bumpier once up at 30000 odd try watching the film with the spaceships, car chase, etc with some motion in it and it will seem as though the motion is coming from that rather than where you are sitting in a bumpy plane and actually add to the film. Dont go for the static period drama ! If it gets bumpier and you feel nervous then take slow deep breathes and count between each 1000, breath in breath out, 2000 breath in breath out 3000 etc etc. one breath in/out about every 10 secs nice and slow. When you get to 99000 you can start again. Also check your pulse finger up under the chin inot your neck and you will see when it goes up when you are worried and down as things ease with your breathing. It works and helps to distract you too! If you wonder how much up and down the plane is doing in turbulance then check the height information on the seat backs display which circulates every minute or so and note down the actual flight height each time. I expect you will find the plane hardly moves up and down at all on a bump, less than you might think, a few metres at most.

Humans are primitive creatures. When the eye and inner ear seem not to match up in what they sense of the outside world this can be very like the effect on one, if poisoned. The stomach is assuming you have been poisoned and so then attempts to empty the poison - hence air sickness. Root ginger is good for nausea as it has a chemical in it which helps to stop the internal linkage between the inner ear with what you are seeing with your eyes, and so help to stop that automatic emetic effect. There are over the counter drugs which do something similar.

Any way I hope these things help, as they have me.

Neil , 24 Dec, 2009

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flying is not a natural thing

truthis...flying is not a natural thing....we are not birds! so if you have to fly..you'll have to face the reality of a flight..turbulance etc...I wish the US build a international highway connecting US to Brazil and Europe....I would drive...happily

ron , 01 Mar, 2010

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Sinking Feeling In my stomach

I have the sinking feeling in my stomach when I take off and are going in for the landing. That feeling makes me feel like the plane is going down i hold on to the armrests for dear life and i squeeze my eyes shut until we've landing or until its over. I'v only be on a plane 2 times and we sat in the back. Would that be a factor? And how can i help this to stop?

Sinking Feeling , 22 Aug, 2011

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IT'S NOT A FEAR - IT'S REAL!

It's reassuring to learn so many people suffer the "sudden sinking/sudden rising" discomfort, and then fear it happening. This is TOTALLY different from general fear of flying, and no amount of explanation or safety reassurance helps. I know roller coasters are safe, but would never go on one because the
sudden drops make me feel absolutely dreadful. Not just nauseous, but as if my world has gone mad. It's not a fear, it's a real feeling. But fear of it happening keeps me from flying.

Jon , 20 Jan, 2012

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MORE

Reference the nasty falling feeling, it is clearly worse for some than others as with so many things. I suspect the only solution for sufferers is if some drug was available that effectively reduced the balance (or whatever) sensitivity so that the feeling was more tolerable. However, with all that this implies for the body, I can't see such a thing ever becoming available. So I guess we remain grounded.

Jon , 20 Jan, 2012

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...

I too hate the sinking feeling, I was in a plane that hit clear air turbulence and have feared a repeat ever since! I don't get motion sickness & the sinking feeling doesn't make me feel sick, I just hate the feeling in my stomach. I hate rollercoasters for thi reason too. Perhaps it's an out of control thing, I don't know! In any case I get insanely nervous & spend the whole flight gripped to my seat.

I went to my doctor before my last flight as I was so nervous and he prescribed me some Lorazepam tablets, a very small dose of about 1mg but they made such a difference! They just relax you and take away your nerves. I would urge anyone in my situation to do the same, please don't suffer unnecessarily.

Fearful , 09 Feb, 2012

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Anxiety

I get a lot of anxiety before flights and especially during the take off. My stomach drops and i feel sick and nervous. What are some medicines i can take so i don't suffer this?

Emily , 17 Feb, 2012

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sinking feeling

I have always hated that sinking feeling as well and it makes me really scared. I've asked around, some of my friends have that feeling as well but they think that it is fun

i felt better when i slouched because it sort of prevents me from experiencing that sinking feeling. you can try it!

Jasmine , 30 Mar, 2012

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Stomach sinking

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned but when you feel that drop, use an old pilot trick and tighten or clench your abs!! Tightening the stomach muscles reduces the dropping feeling and the more developed your "abs" region the less you feel!!

Freq flyer , 04 Jun, 2012

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Sinking Feeling

I hate the sinking feeling however love flying and am training to become a pilot. In honesty the sinking feeling is blood rushing to your head or equally depending if its plus or negative G blood rushing to your feet. Because if you think of it a human is just a vessel of liquid and that liquid moves more freely then any solid parts of our body. I will tell you what helps as I use the trick all the time when flying and that is the same trick fighter pilots use. To tense up your stomach and legs to thwart the rush of blood around your body. This dropping sinking feeling will almost disappear I promise. Hope this helps!

Hannah , 18 Jun, 2012

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My Tip

I learn't on a flight as a 13 year old (15 years ago) that if I tilt my head all the way back during flight, this horrible dropping/rising feeling is very much reduced.

I get a window seat, place a pillow between the seat and the side of the plane and rest my head there looking straight up at the ceiling.

It work's especially well for takeoffs and landings.

If I could I'd lay down for the whole flight completely flat

Seems to be related to perception of movement. With my head tilted back, the movement becomes forward and backwards, rather than up and down.

Peter , 01 Jul, 2012

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Mr

I am not afraid of flying. I understand it is safe. I understand about the noise, etc. What I hate that completely puts me off flying is that sinking feeling in my stomach. It makes me want to curl up into a ball and scream, lol. I don't even like going over a hump back bridge too quickly either. I hate roller coasters because of it. So what causes the sinking feeling in the stomach?

Jason , 13 Jul, 2012

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Agree - Fear isn't the problem!

Jason's post, along with the others, is so important. I too, along with thousands of others, get labelled "A fearful flyer" when it's nothing to do with fear of flying itself. It is intense discomfort when the plane drops (or rises) suddenly. I wish more effort in general could be ascribed to solving - or lessening - this feeling for those affected; I believe there are many more of us than currently acknowledged, and we are all lumped under the heading of "frightened of flying". We're not! But our sensitivity grounds us, which is hugely limiting to life's opportunities. All we need, I believe, is something which temporarily lessens our sensitivity to motion, or at least stops the brain reacting quite so violently. Is this really beyond the help of medicine? Surely not.

Jon UK , 14 Jul, 2012

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Sinking

The feeling of "sinking" or being in a car going down a steep hill or on a roller coaster as accurately described by most is totally natural and is not really controllable. As the aircraft or vehicle your riding in gains or decreases altitude quickly you will feel it ITS PERFECTLY normal. In fact there's a medical study that proves what happens. Primarily what is going on is at high rates of speed or drop the human brain releases special endorphin's to help over come the stress and pain that can be caused in the body. The best thing to do is try different ways to relax during your flight chew gum, clench your fists, imagine yourself being on the beach or or somewhere you enjoy. I've also seen some sit a certain way during takeoffs. Try sitting foward more instead of sitting back all the way in the seat. Some pilots do this as well during steep take offs. Good luck happy flying!!

Tomthepilot , 08 Sep, 2012

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Scary Ups and Downs

I also have a fear of those sinking feeling when the plane goes up and down during turbulence and like some other people who have commented, it doesn't make me feel sick but just plain scared. Everyone says it is fun but I disagree. I might really try some calming medicine this time for my plane ride.

Scared , 17 Sep, 2012

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Hate the sensations!

I hate the head rush and sinking feeling in my head when flying. The floaty feeling is just so unformtable and makes me panic and feel disoriented. When the plane turns I feel terrible too ! Has anyone found anything that helps at all? Medication?

Dizzy , 01 Nov, 2012

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...

Hey everyone.
I am a teenager from Australia and I have a huge fear of flying- turbulance Iis my trigger. I see a psychologist for my fear but I honestly can't tell how I am going to go without actually being in a flight. I use breathing strategies and do visualisations often of what it would be like to be on a bumpy flight. I never used to hate flying- it was last year when I travelled 26 hours to Europe with my family. On the way home, we had non stop turbulance for 13 hours. I thought I was going to die. I really want to conquer my fear- I adore travelling. I'm off to Europe again with my school next year and then to Cambodia with a volunteering company early the year after.

Anyone, please tell me how I can conquer my fear. I don't have to love flying, I just want to be able to tolerate it. Despite my anxiety I still get on the plane and go to wherever I have to go but I hate it and I had panic attacks In the days leading up to the flight. Anyone similar to me? How did you cope? How do you cope? It's turbulance is my total main fear. I hate storms even on the ground too!

Thank you all

K from Australia

K , 09 Dec, 2012

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Hate turbulence!

Hi everyone,

I fly back and forth to uk and us every few months I never used to have a fear of turbulence until I experienced a really bad flight 1 year ago, now I am terrified!! If I didn't have to go I wouldn't but my family are in Us therefore I need to fly there t see them ! Please can someone tell me what to do to ease fear of turbulence and if there is any medication. To take beforehand

Steph , 10 Dec, 2012

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Medications to take

I have been diagnosed with Anxiety and Panic Disorder and i have anxiety every day. I managed to focus my energy in the gym and this was a great reducer. On flights though no matter how hard i try to control my thoughts i am on the the verge of having a full blown panic attack once they close the door (regardless of flight time). I always carry my xanax (alprozolam-generic name)prescription in my back pocket for those just in case moments everywhere i go. A .05 mg dose lasts me about 4-5 hours. It definitely takes the edge off and sometimes if the anxiety is bad enough i take two tablets (it will not hurt you). It has helped me tremendously on long bus/car rides. You are alert while taking the medication, but at the end of the day when you try and look back on it-it appears to be a little bit of a blur. I am not a traveller nor do i ever want to be, but for work i need to do travel from time to time. My biggest travel time is coming up in the next three months where i am going to southeast asia (22 hour flight). I am nervous about that much time in the air, but i think i will be alright as long as i have my medication.

Jeff , 11 Mar, 2013

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