Does the thought of flying give you jitters? Relax! Aerophobia is quite natural, and overcoming fear of flying is not impossible. It may be a tough nut to crack, but with the right tips, anyone can overcome this fear. Minor in-flight turbulence happens all the time. The airline crew is well-trained to manage the flight’s environment if such a situation arises.
But you should be prepared for that too. You can always learn some tips to overcome fear of flying. These tips can help you stay calm and composed during your flight and when turbulence hits. Let’s find out how to avoid fear of flying with this blog. The blog is all about fear of flying, how to avoid it, and some useful tips for overcoming fear of flying. Read more!
Why is Overcoming Fear of Flying Necessary?
A person who can overcome their fears is limitless. Nothing can stop them, and they overcome any obstacles with fierce determination. Minor turbulence during an air journey is natural. Similarly, any unfortunate circumstances are unpredictable mid-journey. But that does not mean you should hide in a closet and never experience what’s ahead. Always look at the bright side.
How to Avoid Fear of Flying?
Most people panic right when the plane is about to take off or touch down. The reason for the anxiety is the sudden wobbles an aircraft experiences under these circumstances.
- A calm mind is best for overcoming fear of flying.
- Relax and take a deep breath during take-offs and landings.
- Take deep breaths to divert your mind from the bumpy flight.
- Learn about aviation safety practices.
- Prepare yourself to bear the loud noise that the aircraft will produce.
- Use soft earplugs to prevent the noise from clogging your ears.
- Watch a movie or listen to music to distract yourself.
Choosing a seat and cabin wisely is essential for overcoming fear of flying. Here are some strategies you can try:
- Take early-morning flights for a peaceful journey.
- Sit on a comfortable seat where you can’t feel the vibration.
- Do not take a window seat if height triggers your fear of flying.
- Do not look outside a window.
- Do not take an aisle seat to avoid disturbance during sleep.
What are the Tips for Overcoming Fear of Flying?
Overcoming fear of flying is really important for your own good. It can help you boost your courage, and you don’t feel vulnerable while flying. The following are some essential tips to help you figure out how to deal with fear of flying:
Relax Your Mind
Staying relaxed is the best tip to overcome fear of flying.
- Take Deep Breaths: This technique is quite helpful for mental relaxation. Taking deep breaths, holding them for a few seconds, and then releasing them can help.
- Chant Mantra: You can repeatedly chant a mantra in your mind. This mantra can be applied to anything you believe helps relax your mind and make you feel safe throughout your journey.
- Think Positive: Shifting your thoughts is necessary for relaxation. Think about all the positive things, especially when a bad thought occurs in your mind mid-flight. You can think about anything that makes you happy and positive.
Stress is your Enemy
Moving on with the tips on how to deal with fear of flying, fear usually builds up due to stress.
- Never let stress rule your mind! Stress is the enemy here and can create unnecessary scenarios in your mind. You may start panicking out of nowhere, even when the plane flies smoothly.
- Stop thinking about things that make you anxious.
- Do not think about a fight that has just happened right before your trip starts.
- Do not think about people who scare you and make you mad.
- Always try to think of the people who love you most and whom you deeply admire.
- Cover your eyes and try to take a nap.
- Ignore what’s happening in your surroundings.
Carry Stuff that can Help Divert your Attention
The next tip for overcoming fear of flying is to carry items that help you distract yourself. There are some great activities to keep your mind occupied. Here’s what you can carry:
- Use good-quality noise-cancellation headphones and listen to your favorite music.
- Watch a movie to kill time and distract your attention from fear.
- Always listen to soothing music that relaxes your mind rather than one that makes you anxious.
- Play games on mobile to keep your mind occupied.
- Carry mini board games like crossword puzzles, chess, ludo, and the rest.
- Read novels as they are captivating and can easily distract your attention from your fear of flying for hours, or maybe till your plane lands.
Identify What Triggers Your Fear of Flying
To overcoming your fear of flying, the next and most crucial tip is to identify what triggers you the most. Fear cannot strike your mind randomly. There must be something that triggers your fear.
- Aerophobia: For some people, their fear of flying usually occurs when the plane shakes, and they instantly think that death has knocked on their door. Turbulence makes them anxious and triggers their aerophobia.
- Claustrophobia: Similarly, if you are claustrophobic, sitting on the plane for hours can be challenging, as stress and anxiety give birth to fear, mainly the fear of flying. It is better to sit in a spacious seat, such as an aisle seat or one with extra legroom. This is the best way to avoid feeling suffocated throughout your journey.
- Acrophobia: A window seat can trigger your fear, as heights can be quite intimidating. Aisle seats are pretty great and let you move and run for bathroom breaks as often as you like.
Avoid Food that Stimulates your Fear
As comforting as food sounds, it can be problematic in situations like this. Here are some food and drinks that you should avoid:
- Caffeinated Beverages: Do not rely on caffeine or energy drinks, as they can be problematic for your fear of flying. Caffeinated beverages and sugary foods are not great while flying, as they stimulate your fear.
- Heavy Junk Food: Consuming heavy junk foods and drinks can increase your anxiety. Your stomach may bloat, and you will feel uneasy throughout your journey. Once you have had a heavy meal, there is no going back.
Conclusion
In conclusion, overcoming the fear of flying is important because the longer you hold on to fear, the more control it holds over your mind. There are lots of tips that you can try to stop thinking about the fear of flying. Diverting your mind is the best thing you can do. Listening to music, sleeping, reading books, and playing games are really helpful tips. Everyone should try these tips.
Furthermore, what you eat or drink right before or during the flight matters a lot. Some foods stimulate fear as they trigger anxiety. Therefore, avoiding caffeine and junk food is a useful tip for overcoming the fear of flying. Instead, you can opt for light foods and healthy alternatives that are great for your health and do not trigger your anxiety.
