Many people have a fear of flying. The condition aviophobia is believed to affect over 6 percent of the population, and as many as a quarter of people in the US experience at least some anxiety about travelling via plane.
Thankfully, there are a few ways that you can overcome this anxiety so you can travel without a care in the world!
- Anticipate the fear…
If you know that you have a fear of flying, you can plan for it before it strikes. Making sure that you have a list (such as this one!) of helpful tips accessible before your flight can help you.
- Identify your anxiety triggers…
Identifying how and when your fear is triggered can help you understand why it is triggered. If you know that the fear starts when you see the plane, or hear the engine start, you can prepare for these moments and remind yourself that they will be over soon.
- Learn the facts…
Becoming familiar with the facts can help quieten your “what if?” thoughts and reassure you that all is safe. Knowledge is a powerful tool against fear! A useful fact to remember is that the chance of a plane crashing is estimated at 1 in 11 million!
- Learn how anxiety works …
Unfortunately, the body reacts to anxiety the exact way it reacts to genuine danger. Anxiety is a primal fight-or-flight response intended to keep us safe from predators in the wild, but it has stuck around despite the safety regulations of modern life! Anxiety reinforces itself, with the feeling leading to troublesome thoughts and those thoughts leading to more of the feeling. Remind yourself that despite your anxiety you are safe. Sometimes simply sitting with your anxiety and accepting it rather than fighting it can cause it to dissipate on its own.
- Learn breathing techniques…
When we are anxious, our breaths usually become shallower and faster, which keeps the feelings of panic going. Practicing deep breathing techniques for anxiety reduction can help you to stay relaxed when anxiety strikes. You can do these exercises during the flight, and nobody will know you are doing them.
- Plan the trip in advance…
For some people, it is not the actual flying part that causes the most stress! The hustle and bustle of an airport, and the worry of missing a flight or losing luggage can be severe. You can avoid these by planning each aspect of the journey and leaving early enough to reach the airport with plenty of time to spare. Sites like Parkon.com enable you to book car parking space near the airport in advance, so you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to park.
- Let others know you may experience anxiety…
Having someone with you who understands your fears and knows your anxiety triggers can be indispensable. If you are traveling alone, you may be able to let the person who you are sitting next to know that you experience a fear of flying. You never know, they might be an expert on the subject.
- Distract yourself…
Distracting yourself from the flight while you are traveling can keep your mind off your anxiety. Reading a good book, listening to your favorite music or podcast, or watching a movie can make you forget you’re even on a plane
We hope that these tips help you to overcome your fear of flying and enjoy your travels.
Milo Senalle
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