For Those Afraid To Fly – Real Advice From Someone Who Knows

Planning a trip but afraid to fly? Well, don’t listen to anyone else. Listen to me because I have real tips. Advice from the heart of someone also afraid to fly. Deathly afraid.

Up to 40% of Americans are afraid to fly, according to the hill.com. As one of those people, I always hear stupid advice from people who aren't actually afraid to fly and sure, sometimes their advice seems accurate, logically. But fear of flying isn't always logical.

For instance, sure it's easy to tell someone “don't fear turbulence,” like I've heard so often. Um, yeah. Sure. I won't fear it, until it hits. Then I’m freaking out. I feel like the airplane is going to drop out of the sky and crash land into a grass field full of sheep in Ireland. That's an actual event that happened to me. Well, the fear is. We didn't actually crash, but we were flying over Ireland at the time of the horrible turbulence. All I could picture was landing on top of poor defenseless sheep... and dying.

So, to just tell someone not to fear it because it won't hurt them is useless advice. Instead of listening to that, I thought I’d share my own tips with you. Because in the past I've actually canceled trips due to fear. Not anymore. And this is how I get through it.

I didn't start out with a fear of flying. Just like I didn't start out in life jaded and cynical. But here we are. And quite frankly, I have no idea when the fear began or why. It just appeared one day. Maybe it was the flight after that one that almost killed the Irish sheep. Whenever it was, there I was, panicked, anxiety-filled and feeling like I was in the middle of a cattle call boarding Flight 666 headed directly for hell.

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Through the years, I've come up with a system, a mindset and, yes, the right pills (legal ones... this isn't THAT kind of advice). All three are vital, important, and can even make the flight fun. Here's what I do.

1. Be on time.

I’m always early to the airport. Why? So I have zero panic and stress making it to the gate on time. Starting the trip panicked and late is no way to begin. A stress free start is SO key, especially for those who are afraid to fly.

2. Sing happy songs.

I sing Bob Marley's “No woman No Cry.” No, not the whole song. But the chorus, “everything is going to be alright”, repeatedly. Yes, its cheesy, but who cares? I’m trying to get my butt to Maui. Go judge someone else.

3. Fly super early or late at night (red eye).

I love flying at 6 a.m. (or a red eye) because I’m too tired and out of it to be filled with anxiety. Plus there's a good chance I’ll even nod off on the flight.

4. Pick the right seat.

This is one of the most important pieces to the equation. I prefer window seats, mid to front of plane. On wing or just in front of the wing. Also, as far away from any crying baby. Or overly-talkative person who can't tell that I’m just trying to keep my s--- together and I don't care what their grandchild has accomplished in their gymnastics class.

5. Understand the takeoff.

One of the most difficult things for me to deal with was the takeoff. There's a moment as soon as the plane lifts off the ground where it feels like it's falling. It was always a panic moment for me, until I talked to an airline pilot. He told me to think of it as a car shifting into third gear. So now I just picture someone shifting, pushing in the clutch and then hitting the gas. Man that helped a ton.

6. Cocktails, baby.

Yes, cocktails. Because, truth be told, all of the above is just prep. Cocktails, and not necessarily the beverage kind, help with showtime. They are my BFFs when it comes to flying.

I’ve always taken something for motion sickness, because I’m one of the lucky ones who experiences that. Yay for me. But I only just learned of the magical wonders of taking something for anxiety. And, I tell you what, it literally changed my world. Because now I’m willing to go SEE the world. The anxiety, fear and panic are so minimal now. I take both pills about an hour before takeoff. And it hits just as the plane starts to back up.

These tips work for me almost every time. I'm still afraid to fly. But with this system, from takeoff to landing, I'm relatively calm. And, in some cases of turbulence, even logical. Because now when the plane is shaking hard enough to knock a toupee off someone's head, I calmly turn to my flying partner and say, “Dude, are we going to go down? Oh, well if we do. I just hope the sheep will be ok.”

The Las Vegas heat has slapped all of us this past weekend.

As locals, we should be acclimated to the scorching and sizzling heat. However when a heat dome covers Las Vegas like a blanket of death, it truly feels like hell on Earth.

No matter how many times you experience triple-digit temperatures, anything over 110 degrees feels horrible. A brisk walk from a store into your car can feel like a marathon. And although people say "it's a dry heat," it's still hot.

In fact, the temperature has been so scorching that it almost broke a record. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this past weekend almost beat the 10-day record for consecutive temperatures at 110 degrees and over, and this record happened in 1962.

Being in this heat can truly be exhausting and also dangerous. Along with nearly record-breaking temperatures, being in this heat for too long is actually dangerous.

A reporter interviewed a 71-year-old man last week while he was hiking in Death Valley National Park. A few hours later, he was found dead, and officials believe his death is heat-related. Temperatures that day reached over 120 degrees. According to People, the reporter asked the man why he was hiking, which he answered, "Why not?"

Along with that horrible case, at least 16 people in Clark County have died from heat-related illnesses, according to a report by KTNV. So, the heat is no joke. In fact, it's deadly.

What's a better way to escape the heat than planning a quick getaway? Now, we can always hit the nice resorts and lavish pools. But, the temperature outside is still boiling. So lucky for us Las Vegans, we can escape the heat by driving a few hours West or by hopping on a quick plane ride.

Enjoy the cool coastal California towns, take a day trip to the beautiful beaches and more! Scroll down below for some quick getaways that'll allow you to relax and cool off from the Las Vegas heat.

Laguna Beach is the perfect getaway to cool down and enjoy some beautiful beaches. There is a scattering of other beaches that are smaller and calming. The drive from Vegas to Laguna Beach is about four-to-five hours depending on traffic. The temperatures are much cooler in Laguna Beach, and it's the perfect spot for families, couples or even solo trips.

The North Cascades National Park stays cool and crisp even during the hot summer months.  The west side of the mountain is cooler and wetter than the east side due to the west being in the rain shadow part of the mountain, according to the U.S. National Parks' website. The temperatures touch around the mid 60s with a lot of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Santa Catalina Island is a beautiful place with great beaches and sunsets that melt your soul. The island also has "eco Jeeps" and other fun activities that can make you feel like you're in paradise. It takes one hour to get to Catalina Island from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach from a high-speed ferry boat. It's a gem that is the perfect place for Las Vegans to escape the heat while enjoying some island vibes.

Take a quick plane ride to San Francisco! The travel time is about 1 hour and 45 minutes for a non-stop flight, and there are a plethora of travel deals and promotions from airlines that can make a plane ticket pretty affordable. The weather is cool with the current seven-day forecast predicting highs in the 60s. There are tons of things to do, so many places to eat and many things to enjoy while exploring San Francisco. The culture is vibrant, and you'll truly get a break from the heat when you visit San Francisco.

San Diego is also a great city to visit if you're trying to escape Las Vegas. The slower-paced nature of San Diego will give you a break from the hustle and bustle of Vegas. Plus, it's cooler in San Diego. There are beaches, a good amount of nightlife and great food. You can drive there, or take a plane ride (which is about 1 hour).

Maybe you're feeling like traveling internationally for a quick weekend trip. Ensenada is about an hour plane ride and a six hour drive from Las Vegas. From beautiful beaches, amazing food and great hospitality, Ensenada is another hot-spot in Baja California, Mexico that offers great nightlife. If you want a mixture of tropical oasis with a little "Vegas-style" partying then Ensenada is the perfect place to escape to.

La Paz, Mexico is another beautiful destination in Mexico. The beaches will leave you breathless, it's a fishing heaven and it's simply serenity. You have to fly into Los Cabos and then drive to La Paz.

The Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five islands off the coast of Santa Barbara. All of these islands are beautiful with a Mediterranean climate year-round. It's a relaxing trip that you can take for the weekend. But according to the National Parks website, "Visitors to the islands must be prepared for high winds, fog, rough seas, and sea spray at any time." And this can be a nice break from the scorching, stressful desert heat. Temperatures are usually in the mid-70s, which is perfect for a island getaway.

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