Flight Anxiety - Travel essentials.

Brenda Carcabelos - Updated 11/16/25

Here are my non-negotiables as a “stomach pain girlie” whose anxiety skyrockets when things are out of control, like, say, being stuck in a giant metal tube for hours on end. I love traveling, but airports and planes make me so anxious, and every time there’s turbulence I’m convinced I’m going to die (even though I logically know I’m not). So this list is both my flight-anxiety survival kit and my easy-access checklist. It has everything I like to have ready, buy, or pack before a flight so I don’t forget anything: meds, comfort items, snacks, plus the little extras like pimple patches and a hydrating face spray because of course I’m going to break out and dry out mid-air.

For my fear of death 🪦🕊️
Harry Styles - Calm “Dream with me”
When the turbulence kicks in, I hit play. If I die, I want to die listening to HS narrate our dream date.
Gravol with melatonin
This will knock you out
Turbulence forecast
I like to know what’s coming so that I’m prepared mentally
Emotional support headphones
👏🏼 if we are going down, I don’t want to hear anything 👏
Sleep mask
Same thing, I rather go blind than see how I die.
Bobby goods coloring book
Coloring, as a child, to calm my anxiety
Oversized hoodie
For some reason this helps me a lot
iPad
With my books, TV series & movies already downloaded
Lavender roll on
I don’t think I need to explain
CBD drops
CBD drops at least 30 minutes before my flight
Meditation for panic attacks
I download several different meditations, I use both Calm and Headspace
Journal
Writing my final thoughts
Kobo

For the old lady within 👵🏻
Compression socks
Sexy, I know.
Electrolytes
Stretch
Before the flight
Advil
Antihistamine
Vitamin C

To prevent stomachaches
Peppermint tea
Water bottle
This one is the water you drink
Bloat free snacks
In my case I make sure that they are low FODMAPs snacks, e.g., nothing with gluten, lactose, etc