Overcome your fear of flying and make every vacation anxiety-free.
Everyone loves going on vacation. But then, what if the thought of getting on a plane fills you with fear? Luckily, it’s possible to overcome your fears and fly with confidence. You never know, you might even end up flying your own plane in the future (visit https://www.flyaeroguard.com/locations/austin-flight-school/ for more on learning to fly).
Here’s how to do it:
What is it about flying that makes you afraid? Sit down and think about the specific trigger that sets off your fear. It sounds terrifying, but it’s essential to do so. Knowing why you’re afraid helps you to “turn off” that fear when your anxiety level is lower. Eventually, you’ll be able to turn it off even in high-stress situations.
Anxiety and fear are at their worst when we’re blindsided by them. When we can anticipate that a situation will make us afraid, we can better prepare for that situation. The anxiety we feel before a flight will usually be much more intense than anything we feel during it. Conquer the anticipation, and you’re golden.
Another way to manage the fear of flying is to be educated about the process of flying. For most people, fear is fed by ignorance. Researching and gaining knowledge of the facts can alleviate these anxieties. Knowledge is power! Get to know the facts and run through them in your head every time you get on the plane. You might not be completely fear-free, but you’ll feel better.
This will also help you manage anxiety if turbulence hits during the flight. Educate yourself on turbulence, how planes deal with it and that you’re safe, and focus on that rather than how bad the turbulence is or how long it will last.
It’s crucial when trying to overcome fear to remember that feeling fear doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in danger. You may feel like you are, because the body reacts in similar ways to both emotions, but that doesn’t mean any danger is present. Remind yourself always that your fear doesn’t mean that anything is going to happen to you, and try to remember that no matter how anxious you are, you’re still safe.
Failing to do this, and giving into the feeling that anxiety equals danger, will only serve to reinforce your feelings of fear and encourage you to avoid situations that involve flying. Instead, embrace the anxiety and fight the urge to run.
If you’re flying with friends, make sure they know you’re an anxious flier and how to help you if things get tough. If not, talk to the person who sits next to you. The flight will be better and easier for both of you if they know you’re nervous and know how to help.
Exposure is a really great method for getting over fears, so remember to use every flight you go on as an opportunity to work on overcoming your anxiety. Train your brain to find flying easier. Eventually, you’ll come to a point where the thought of flying causes no anxiety at all.
