The 10 Best Nice Hotels Around The World, According To A Frequent Flyer

Why do some people experience anxiety during flights?

Do you remember where you were going the first time your airplane anxiety reared its ugly head? My first memory involves my first plane ride to Texas. My family always drove before, but the 10+ hour road trips started taking a toll on everyone. Since I was already familiar with car accidents we'd driven by in the past, my heart was racing as we waited for the plane to take off — if cars could crash, what could happen to airplanes? I'll spare you the details, but one of the flight attendants had to stand by me and help me count to 10 a few times before I calmed down.

If you're wondering where your airplane anxiety stems from too, Captain Bunn says anxiety typically occurs for two reasons. "We have two systems that try to take care of our wants and needs while at the same time keeping us safe. One — let's call it System A — is word-based. We can interface with it consciously. If that were our only system, we could control anxiety with logical thoughts about how safe flying is."

I for one would've loved to verbally tell my anxiety to take a hike when I was kid, but it turns out I needed a little more reassurance. "System B operates outside of consciousness because it's experience-based," Captain Bunn says. "After an experience has taken place, System B assigns a code to the experience. A positive experience is assigned a positive code. A negative experience is assigned a negative code," he explains.

Things get interesting after System B assigns those codes. "The next time that experience presents itself as a possibility, our amygdala reads its code. A positive code will cause good feelings. A negative code will cause bad feelings. Feelings we get when the amygdala reads the code determine whether we go ahead with the experience or back away from it," Captain Bunn says.

Another explanation, according to Captain Bunn, comes straight from neuroscientists. "The neural mechanisms underlying emotional valence are at the interface between perception and action, integrating inputs from the external environment with past experiences to guide the behavior of an organism. Depending on the positive or negative valence assigned to an environmental stimulus, the organism will approach or avoid the source of the stimulus" (via National Library of Medicine).

It's like putting your hand on a hot stove whenever you've never done it before. You may not immediately register the pain, but it eventually comes and you tell yourself you're never doing something like that again. Every neural path and nerve ending knows what will happen if you and wants to avoid feeling that.

How does this relate to airplane anxiety?

Our anxiety wants to do everything it can to protected us from perceived threats, right? So imagine being in a situation you have no control of, like flying. You know that you're a passenger on your flight, but you're not flying the plane nor are you able to dictate your flight's path.

"In a traumatic experience, we are not in control. Thus, not being in control is assigned a negative code. In a traumatic experience, we are not able to escape. Not being able to escape is also assigned a negative code. As we go through life and have traumatic experiences, the negative codes assigned to no control and to no escape get more and more negative," says Captain Bunn.

He shares that once enough stress hormones are released, they can trigger panic no matter how safe we are. "For example, we could panic when in an elevator, getting a MRI scan, or boarding an airliner," he explains.

When you break this down, it looks like this:

• Our System A knows flying is safe enough to do.
• If flying doesn’t feel safe, it is because of System B. To feel safe, we need to update System B.

How can we adjust when things feel scary?

Having anxious thoughts can make you feel like things will never change, but Captain Bunn knows that's not true. He stressed that even an imaginary experience or a memory can "update" System B — AKA trick your brain into thinking everything really is gonna be okay. "That is what we do in the SOAR program using the strengthening exercise. We apply a positive experience to situations System B regards as negative," he says.

Though negative codes can be assigned by System B, not every negative feeling is a result of something traumatic. "Some negative codes comes from vicarious experiences. For example, when the news tells you about a terrifying experience on a plane, as you imagine what those people felt, your vicarious experience assigns a negative valence code to flying," Captain Bunn says.

He believes you need to monitor how much news you pay attention to so that you're not making fear-based decisions. One-off experiences reported in the media aren't emblematic of the entire flying experience, so there's no use obsessing over one story about bad turbulence. According to Trip.com, there are approximately 100,000 flights a day — that means the one flight you may have heard about was literally 1 in 100,000 flights just that day. More often then not, flights are easy, breezy, and unremarkable.

How can someone feel safe during turbulence?

Turbulence is real and it's not going away, but you don't have to lose faith in flying because of it. Captain Bunn says, "Severe turbulence is extremely rare. In thirty years of airline flying, I experienced thirty seconds of severe turbulence." He went on to say that the chances of experiencing severe turbulence are so small, so you really don't need to fret about it.

If you still think there's more to worry about, here's the breakdown from the Federal Aviation Administration of the injuries turbulence has caused in recent years:

• How many passengers were injured due to turbulence last year in the U.S.? 3.
• How many passengers were injured due to turbulence in 2022 in the U.S.? 4
• How many passengers were injured due to turbulence in 2021 in the U.S.? 1.
• How many passengers were injured due to turbulence in 2020 in the U.S.? 0.

Knowing this, Captain Bunn wants us to ask ourselves an important question. "How must time should we think about turbulence injury? How much time should the media devote to turbulence injury?"

He knows that the media is reporting that turbulence is getting worse based on factors like climate change, but he also wants you to understand that the odds you'll personally be injured because of it are slim.

How can I trust I don't have to worry about turbulence?

Captain Bunn says, "The valence codes associated with turbulence need to be shifted from negative to positive. This is where the SOAR Strengthening Exercise comes in. To update System B, we replace the negative code with positive code from a friend’s face, voice quality, and touch."

This speaks to a grounding technique I learned in therapy. It's easy to focus on potential negative outcomes, but we can shift our perspective by becoming aware of things we can see, touch, smell, hear, etc. In reframing your thinking, you can shape your experience and have a better overall flight.

Getting Drunk On The Plane

I know people do this, but don't let it be you. Not everyone wants their 2+ hour plane ride to be disturbed by the person who had one too many drinks and thinks everyone wants to hear them sing "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter at the top of their lungs. We love the song, but that's why headphones exist.

There's also the chance that someone in your group becomes angry while they're drunk and decides to pick an imaginary fight with a stranger on the plane.

Either way, someone will complain or you'll end up immortalized on social media.

Trashing The Hotel Room Or Airbnb You're Staying In

This is a given, but it never hurts to remind others to be considerate while they're on vacation! It's true that hotels and AirBnbs are usually cleaned by others, but that's no reason to completely trash the place you're staying at. I've stayed with people who thought this was perfectly okay, but I just can't imagine leaving trash everywhere while on vacation.

Will someone clean our messes? Yes, but we shouldn't take advantage of this just because we're not home. It's just common courtesy to dispose of food and drinks instead of leaving them thrown all over the place.

Refusing To Split The Bill At Restaurants

If it's not been established that a sole person while take care of a restaurant bill, don't flat out refuse to pay for your portion. Not only does this make you look selfish, but you probably won't be invited to anymore group or girls trips. I've heard stories of this happening on girls trips and I always wondered if a conversation was had prior to going on vacation.

One thing my friends and I do is discuss the financial breakdown of anything we're doing so everyone is on the same page. If you're currently in a season where money is a little tight, it's okay to be honest about your situation instead of being rude when you don't have enough to pay for your meal.

Making A Stink About Group Activities

Group activities are fun, but some people might not want to participate in the 15+ activities you've tried to jam-pack into a three-day weekend. Some people may want a breather from exploring and some people may not be interested in everything you think is best for the group. Ironically this reminds me of the mishaps that happened during Wine Country.

It's okay to be disappointed that everyone's not together during the entire trip, but you don't have to control everything. Trust that the group trip will be fun whether everyone wants to do the same things or not.

Inviting People That Your Group Doesn't Know About

Face Palm. It pains me that this is still something that needs to be discussed, but it's never okay to assume you can invite more people on the group trip you're going on. This is especially true if all expenses — room & board, food, activities, etc., — have been factored in.

It's always common courtesy to ask the person who planned the group trip if it's okay to bring one or two extra people. If they tell you they're not okay with, don't get upset with them. Respect that the group trip may be reserved for family or your small group of friends.

You can always call, text, or FaceTime the person you were thinking about bringing!

Accidentally Flashing Beachgoers

Bikinis aren't always our best friends because the occasional nip slip or lost swimsuit bottoms seem to come for us all. This is by far one of the most embarrassing things that can happen when you're getting out of the pool, playing volleyball, or jumping over waves in the ocean.

Want to know what makes it even worse? Sometimes this happens when your crush is nearby, resulting in a "Bury my head in the sand" moment. Wear that 'kini, girl! You'll just want to keep tabs on it ;).

Having Loud Sex 

Sex is beautiful and amazing, but it can be uncomfortable for other people to hear us going wild during a group trip. Some people are quieter than others, but it's not safe to assume we won't disturb anyone's sleep. I'd be lying if I said I didn't exit stage left when I knew one of my friends was about to become preoccupied with extracurricular activities.

By all means, have fun! Just be mindful that not everyone will want to hear it.

Getting Arrested

There's not a lot to say about this one except getting arrested while on vacation shouldn't be on anyone's bucket list. It doesn't matter how funny you or someone in your group thinks it is to flash a random stranger on purpose, do graffiti at night, or get into a drunken brawl with the girl in the bathroom who's been throwing dirty looks all night.

It can put a damper on the group trip if one of you gets placed in the backseat of a cop car. The best piece of advice I can offer is to enjoy your vacation without the cops getting involved.

Sam And Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Full Relationship Timeline

Early 2008 — Sam Taylor-Woods And Aaron Johnson Connect Via Nowhere Boy

After audition for a role in Sam Taylor-Woods' debut film Nowhere Boy, Aaron Johnson piqued Hollywood's interest with his portrayal of a younger John Lennon (via The Guardian). According to reports, that's not the only thing that made people curious.

It became apparent their interactions on set had ventured into romantic territory when they were spotted "arm in arm" and acting like "teenagers in love," (via The Guardian).

2009 — The Couple Gets Engaged A Year After Filming Nowhere Boy

Aaron Johnson eventually proposed to Sam a year later, despite maintaining boundaries while filming Nowhere Boy. They claimed to Harper's Bazaarthey were "very professional" even though "everyone on set knew" there were something budding between the two.

Aaron didn't hesitate to say, "And a year to the minute after we met, exactly one year to the minute, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me."

It didn't take long for Sam to become pregnant with their first child either. "I knew I wanted a family with her, I knew I wanted kids, and a month later she was pregnant with our first child," Aaron admitted to The Telegraph UK.

April 2010 — Aaron Johnson Shares His Thoughts About Being A First-Time Dad

Aaron sat down with Jonathan Ross of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and talked about the new role he was prepping for outside of acting. He said he was "not really" nervous about becoming a father because he'd been interacting with Sam's daughters from her previous marriage to Jay Jopling.

July 2010 — Sam And Aaron's First Daughter Is Born

Per reports fromDaily Mail, the couple's first daughter was born a few months after Aaron's appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. They didn't go into depth about baby Wylda Rae's birth nor were updates shared during the months following her arrival.

January 2012 — The Couple's Second Daughter Is Born

This time a rep announced the birth of Sam and Aaron's second daughter, Romy Hero to People. They experienced a home birth and a rep reported "mother and daughter are well" at the time.

June 2012 — Wedding Bells Ring As Sam And Aaron Get Married

The couple got married in Somerset during the summer of 2012 and it was immediately noticed that Aaron partially changed his last name. "I just don't see why women need to take the man's name. I wanted to be a part of her just as much as she wanted to be part of me," he said (via The Standard).

Sam Taylor-Johnson later praised the "stability" of their marriage by saying to The Guardian, "Being in an amazing relationship, having come out of a difficult one, it felt so good."

January 2017 — Aaron Taylor-Johnson Mentions Sam During His Golden Globe Speech

When Aaron won an award for appearing in Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals, he made sure to express his love and gratitude for Sam Taylor-Johnson during his speech. "I want to thank my wife for being there with me and supporting me through this." He openly admitted his role wasn't "pleasant," but continued to thank her for "putting up" with him.

He also gave a shout out to their daughters "Anjelica, Phoenix, Wylda, and Romy."

February 2017 — Aaron Admits He's Not A Fan Of Everyone's Prying Eyes

The actor didn't shy away from talking about his great dislike for everyone's opinions about he and Sam's relationship when they first started dating. He told New York Magazine, "The attention was intrusive." At the same time, he said it helped him develop thicker skin so he can let things roll off his shoulders instead of feeling riled up.

March 2017 — Aaron Reveals He Has A Tattoo Of Sam's Name

Aaron took his love for Sam Taylor-Johnson a step further when he let the world see his tattoo of her name in celebration of her 50th birthday (via Daily Mail). Though the focus was meant to be on his new ink, his chiseled abs were also on display.

The actor appeared in Mr. Porterand revealed he'd rather stick to family life than acting. "I get more fulfillment from being a father than I do from being an actor" and even said he thought about "wanting to give it up."

June 2017 — Sam Taylor-Johnson Gushes About Aaron

It seems this couple was in-sync with each other because Sam later gushed about him during an interview with The Times UK. She said, "I literally found my soulmate" in Aaron and talked about not being ashamed of their large age difference. "When you're solid with someone in your own love, you don't think about it."

She later posted a moving Instagram post dedicated to her husband's birthday and wrote, "HBD to the most incredible husband, father, man @aarontaylorjohnson I ❤️U."

June 2019 — Sam And Aaron Taylor-Johnson Look Spiffy At Zoë Kravitz's First Wedding

Sam posted a stylish photo of herself and Aaron getting ready to attend Zoë Kravitz wedding to her first husband Karl Glusman. Aaron wore a tailored marl gray suit while Sam looked amazing in a leopard print dress.

"To the wedding we go... 🎩 @karlglusman @zoeisabellakravitz," she wrote in the caption.

November 2019 — The Couple Reveals What It Was Like Working On A Million Little Pieces Together

Joint projects can cause disagreements to occur between couples, but Sam and Aaron admitted they enjoyed the process of making A Million Little Pieces a reality. "It was the best thing we've ever done," Sam told Harper's Bazaar.

Unfortunately the author, James Frey, admitted to sharing false information in the memoir the film was based on and was even removed from Oprah Winfrey's book club (via New York Times).

June 2020 — Sam Taylor-Johnson Celebrates The Couple's Wedding Anniversary

Sam took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of the couple together in honor of their wedding anniversary. They looked like they'd stopped to take a quick photo while on a hike as they were both wearing hiking boots. "8 years later. Happy anniversary ❤️ #aarontaylorjohnson ❤️," she wrote in the caption.

She shared another photo of Aaron because Father's day coincides with their wedding anniversary. Her caption simply read, "Happy Father’s Day ❤️ #aarontaylorjohnson 🔥."

March 2021 — Sam And Aaron Taylor-Johnson Set To Work On "Rothko" Together

It was revealed the married couple were set to being bringing the film Rothko to the silver screen in 2021 with Russell Crowe and Aisling Franciosi set to star in it alongside Aaron (via Deadline). It's a film adaptation of The Legacy Of Mark Rothko by Lee Seldes, but nothing else has been reported about a possible release date.

May 2021 — Sam Taylor-Johnson's Excited About Aaron's Latest Project

After it was announced Aaron would star in Kraven the Hunter, Sam Taylor-Johnson couldn't contain her excitement. She posted a comic book version of the titular character on Instagram and wrote, "My husband ❤️ #kraventhehunter #aarontaylorjohnson."

The film will release in Theaters December 13, 2024, but you can watch the official trailer now! Based on what we've seen, it looks full of action and shirtless moments that will keep us warm during winter.

June 2021 — Sam Also Gets A Tattoo Dedicated To Aaron

Tattoo artist Docta Woo gave Aaron some new ink of the form of a humming bird and also revealed Sam's dedicated tattoo for her husband. "Captured a healed hummingbird on Aaron and added some love ✍🏼 for Sam ✨❤️," his caption on Instagram reads.

June 2022 — The Couple Renews Their Vows

In honor of their 10th wedding anniversary, Aaron posted a lengthy tribute to he and Sam's marriage on Instagram. He partially wrote, "we renewed our vows to one another and confessed our love in front of our nearest and dearest friends and family it was a celebration of love and joy," in his caption.

Sam also posted her own feelings about their vow renewal in a separate post. "10 glorious years 💕 My incredible husband, father to all 4 girls. I love you, I love you, I love you 💕 love conquers all."

September 2024 — Fans Speculate There's Trouble In Paradise

Despite their public love and support for each other, fans are convinced Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are having marital problems. The actor was recently seen without his wedding band while he was out and about (via The Mirror). Neither have commented on the pics, so it could be that he forgot it at home or removed it for a cleaning.

It all seems very TBD...