Stress Center Peer Support

While flying from Salt Lake City to Denver (and on to Orlando) we hit the worst turbulence I've ever experienced. Pitch, roll, and yaw...it was terrifying. It lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. About thirty seconds into it--feeling my heart racing and pounding, feeling short of breath, tensed up tighter than a snare drum--I heard a five-year old girl start to laugh like we were on a fun ride. It shocked me into laughter! I thought to myself, "Why not? Enjoy the ride!"

My point is this: in an instant, I was relaxed, calm, and smiling. I even put my hands in the air as though I was riding a roller coaster. I laughed till we got past it. Man, if I could bottle that "flip a switch to calm down in a second" mechanism, I'd market it to millions. I guess it IS "just anxiety," or "just my imagination."

Hi JDA
Thanks for sharing that experience. I find that very illuminating.
Your experience was not only a valuable lesson for you - but now for all of us as well.
I'm ganna remember it!!!!
Thanks for the gift!!!
MJ

Hi JDA,
Thanks for the great insight! That is how I used to be with turbulence. It used to never bother me. So if I wasn't bothered by it before anxiety hit, I shouldn't be now. Nothing has changed with air travel. Planes were built to handle the turbulence. It's just my overactive imagination running wild. I will definately remember your post during my flight out west next week

Thanks for the post. I have to fly in May and I always feard turbulence more than anything. This time, I think it will be different. Thank you again. Leopolda

jda_lds,

You have just discovered one of the most important things that we can learn - that the mind is extremely powerful. It can work for us or against us. This is the basis of what can set you free. Your situation did not change; your mindset did - and you were able to change how you feel for the better because of that - well done!!!

~phoenix
panic-free 6 years and counting