Does Benadryl help with flight anxiety?

Intended use: Most over-the-counter medications that you might take for anxiety, such as antihistamines, while approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe, have not been approved for alleviating symptoms of anxiety.



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However, OTC antihistamines (i.e., Benadryl/diphenhydramine) have been recommended as a short-term solution for anxiety symptoms. While there is likely not any harm in taking an occasional OTC antihistamine as an over-the-counter Xanax alternative, the sedating side effects are not ideal for regular use.

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Take a melatonin pill. That's the hormone that our bodies use to put us to sleep naturally. Pop the pill a few hours before the flight.

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The two main medication classes most often prescribed are:
  • Benzodiazepines, such as the antianxiety drugs alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®) and diazepam (Valium®).
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil®) or escitalopram (Lexapro®).


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Planning Your Trip
  1. Carefully Select Your Booking Time.
  2. Consider an Upgrade to First or Premium Economy Class.
  3. Choose Your Seat Wisely.
  4. Talk to Your Doctor about Natural Sleep Supplements or Anxiety Medication.
  5. Invest in a Travel Pillow.
  6. Buy Noise-cancelling Headphones.
  7. Pick out Some Sleep-Inducing Music & Podcasts.


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When the eardrum can't vibrate, sound is muffled. And the stretched eardrum can be very painful. If you have nasal congestion from allergies, a cold, or are prone to painful ears on airplane descent, then taking an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine may help equalize the pressure in the ear.

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So many travelers struggle with this fear, so the best way to cope is to find a seat with plenty of space. The least crowded section of the plane is first or business class. But if upgraded flying isn't in your budget there are still options. Try sitting in an aisle seat in an exit row towards the front of the plane.

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All U.S. carriers and gate agents should aware of the preboarding rules, but if you have a disability such that you need extra time or assistance to board, have self-identified this need at the gate (ideally ~30 minutes or more before boarding) and are denied the opportunity to preboard (or preboarding occurs after ...

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Taking CBD is non-addictive, and thousands of people use it to deal with stress and anxiety on a daily basis. This is why CBD is a great solution for flight anxiety. Stress and anxiety are very common feelings when traveling or flying.

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Doctors rarely recommend sleeping tablets for flying for several reasons. Some tablets render you immobile, which would be problematic during an in-flight emergency. Even if you're OK with that small risk, avoid sitting near an emergency exit where you could be responsible for many lives in an emergency.

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Prevention
  1. Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent. ...
  2. Use the Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent. ...
  3. Don't sleep during takeoffs and landings. ...
  4. Reconsider travel plans. ...
  5. Use an over-the-counter nasal spray. ...
  6. Use decongestant pills cautiously. ...
  7. Take allergy medication. ...
  8. Try filtered earplugs.


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