How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying
As far back as I can remember, my fear of flying always included the absurd “what if?” scripts. What if the emergency doors open and everyone gets out of the plane? What if the pilot takes a break to sleep? What if a bird flies into the plane and immediately hits the engine? (Oh wait.)
It is these “what ifs” that can cause extreme anxiety for many travelers. What if this turbulence knocks the plane out of the sky? What if the engine explodes? What if the snack cart flies down the aisle, somehow opening the cockpit door and knocking both pilots unconscious?
Whatever your fears are, we have ways to deal with them.
Find the facts
Flight facts can help you feel less afraid. For example, did you know that air travel is the safest form of transport ?
According to David Ropik, a risk communications instructor at Harvard University, your chances of dying in a car crash are roughly one in 5,000. And your chances of dying in a plane crash are roughly one in 11,000,000 . In fact, there is a 1 in 13,000 chance of being struck by lightning in your lifetime .
Visualization practice
Whenever you are afraid or anxious, you are completely focused on everything that is happening around you. You feel the plane crash slightly and you panic. The plane shakes and your mind automatically thinks of the worst-case scenario.
Visualization practice will help you stay as calm as possible.
I imagined that I was going. I imagined my hands holding the steering wheel. (I didn’t raise my hands because I’m not crazy.) I felt like I was pressing the gas pedal (mentally). I was driving in turbulence, as if we were driving on a dirt road, enjoying the adventure rather than racing through the sky.
Besides visualization, there are many other ways to stay calm during turbulence :
Entertainment : There are things that distract you within reach. Maybe it’s a book you can’t put off, your favorite movie or TV show, or soothing music.
Barf Bag : You probably won’t need it, but if you need it, you’ll be glad you have it. You may already have one in your seat, but if not, ask a crew member when boarding or bring your own (make sure it holds fluids).
Comfortable items : soft blankets, a neck pillow, your favorite hooded sweatshirt or slippers can all go a long way in helping you relax and be more calm when turbulence occurs.
Don’t forget to breathe
Whenever we experience any form of fear, anxiety, or stress, we tend to hold our breath. A simple breathing technique combined with visualization can relax the body and clear the mind, allowing you to remember that you are safe and well.
What to do if you are flying with children
The reality is that many of us don’t fly alone; as a parent or guardian, you don’t want your kids to know how nervous you are. Instead, distract both of you by chatting with them.
Do something together that will distract you from your mental state. Play Mad Libs or share one of these detailed zen coloring books. Try Crazy 8s or Gin. Bring a magnetic chessboard or crossword book.
Help others when you can
Perhaps you will get to the point where your fears subside and you can help someone else who is in a panic .
But if you spot someone who you think might have a panic attack and the flight attendant is unavailable or feel obligated to help, Paz suggests just walking up to the traveler and asking him if he is nervous or panicking. “By designating a strong reactive emotion in a person, you are helping to reduce its intensity; it’s nice to know what you’re going through, ”he explains.