How Can You Overcome Fear Of Flying?

Sweaty hands… shallow breathing… gritted teeth… images of plane crashes running through your mind… Even if you wanted to,  you can’t plan any trip that involves an airplane because you’ll panic. You’ll miss out on the opportunity to see beautiful places, visit distant friends and relatives, and even go on your dream trip with your partner: visit the Egyptian pyramids, dance the hula in Hawaii, or see the kangaroos in Australia. All because you’re afraid to fly. So, how can you overcome this annoying fear of flying?

Did you know that fear of flying is actually very common? It is estimated that one in four people suffers from it. That is a quarter of the population. And you are one of them! The main fear is that the plane will crash,  plus the fact that we are terrestrial beings and we generally distrust anything to do with the sky or the ocean.

It doesn’t matter how many times your family members tell you that you are less likely to die in a plane crash than in a car crash, or that modern airplanes are the safest mode of transportation. All these rational claims, which seem to come straight out of a phobia-related self-help book, are meaningless to you.

Like any other fear, the  fear of flying is related to emotions, past experiences or simply a movie you’ve ever seen in which a plane crashed. The worst part about it all is that the people around you aren’t afraid to fly, so they don’t understand you. They think you’re making a fool of yourself, or that you don’t appreciate the chance to go to New York, Rio de Janeiro, or Hong Kong, just a few hours on the plane.

The only way to overcome fear of flying is to fly

You can see a  psychologist , take a mechanical course to understand every sound and movement, or even use a flight simulator , but none of these techniques will help you overcome your fear of flying more than… flying!

Understandably, you panic just thinking about it. While you’re reading this article, you probably have shaky knees, you’re sweating and your heart is beating a little faster. But instead of suffering every time someone tells you they’ve been on a trip to the other side of the world or you put off that vacation to that place of your dreams for just another year,  it’s important that you – and exhale and your treatment begins.

Take a class offered by an airline. Many airlines have programs that help passengers who have a fear of flying. Start with a personal interview and then take a theoretical course with pilots and mechanics who can answer all your questions. Finally, follow a session in a  flight simulator  with all possible situations you might encounter (takeoff and landing, turbulence, technical problems etc).

Meditate or do relaxation exercises. It will help to reduce stress and tension when you think about flying. Do these exercises a few days before you travel until they become automatic.

Avoid taking medicines. Many people who are afraid of flying choose to take medication (mainly anxiolysis) or drink alcohol while on the plane. The former won’t take away the fear, but it will help you get through the situation a little more calmly. The second option is not recommended because it enhances the senses and can also cause stomach pain, headaches, etc. Impulse control is also suppressed.

What to do on the day of the flight

You’ve gathered the courage (or so you think) and finally agreed to grant your husband or wife’s wish to travel to Machu Picchu or to hike camels through the desert. Congratulations! When you were planning your trip, packing your suitcase and choosing a reliable neighbor to take care of your plants, there was no room for panic.

However, this all changed when you arrived at the airport and checked in to the flight. There the unpleasant sensations began to return. You are about to run out of the terminal without worrying about your partner traveling alone. Calm down. You can overcome your fear. How? With these tips:

• Don’t sit by the window. Otherwise you will only get nervous when you take off, or you will travel during the day and only see clouds. It is also good to choose a spot close to the wing because you will feel the least movement there.
• Observe the flight crew. They will likely be smiling, calm and confident. This will show you that there is nothing to be afraid of. I would advise you to tell the flight attendant that you are afraid, because he/she can then give you extra attention and help you through the most critical moments.

• Take a deep breath in and out. Close your eyes if necessary. Remember that turbulence is just the change in the speed of the air mass and it does not affect the safety on board the aircraft.
• Bring things to do. How about a book by your favorite author, a magazine or an entertaining movie? You can also think of all the beauty that awaits you when you land.
• Wear light clothing. You will probably be hot, sweating and irritated by everything around you and want to feel as little trapped as possible, so your clothes should also be as comfortable as possible

Finally,  fly in the company of someone who has flown before. That way he can transfer his sense of calm to you and you can hold his hand when you get scared.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we recommend the following article on strange phobias. Have you ever heard of them?