How To Get Over The Fear of Flying On A Plane – Boarding a plane can trigger anxiety. Some people even have an aviophobia or a feeling of fear of flying that is more than the usual inconvenience.
Air travel is still a scourge for some, although data shows that this type of travel is classified as the safest.
According to a report in the journal Research in Transportation Economics, air travel tends to be safer in terms of risk of death, compared to other modes of transportation, including cars, ferries, subways, trains, and buses.
For most people who are afraid to board a plane, there are several causes that trigger such fears.
These causes can also be a combination of factors.
Some of these include bad or traumatic flight experiences such as planes experiencing turbulence, to anxiety because being on a plane is something that is out of self-control.
How To Get Over The Fear of Flying On A Plane
Find fear triggers
Find out what scares you from boarding a plane and observe how those anxiety reactions can be triggered.
Knowing the trigger of fear can help you manage those fears when their anxiety levels are low.
Equip yourself with knowledge
Anxiety can be present out of ignorance, so your mind is filled with various questions “what if later..?” which refers to thoughts of disaster.
However, if you get on a plane by equipping yourself first with knowledge, those worries-filled questions can be limited by facts.
The facts won’t take away your anxiety, but it will help you manage it.
Anticipation of anxiety
Anticipatory anxiety is what you experience in anticipation of fear, in this case, fear while boarding a plane.
This is often the most intense anxiety felt during a flight, but that doesn’t mean it’s an accurate prediction of how you feel during your flight.
The anxiety is often much greater than what you actually experience.
Separate fear from danger
Often, it is difficult to separate the two because the body reacts in exactly the same way to both.
However, be sure to label the fear you are experiencing anxiety.
Tell yourself that anxiety is more likely to bring up scary thoughts and remind yourself that feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re in danger.
Be assured that you are in a state of safety even when you are very anxious.
Fight what anxiety commands
Part A: anxiety will mess up your mind and make you think you’re in danger despite the fact that you’re in a very safe state.
Your instincts at this point will always tell you to stay away, but if you follow that feeling your anxiety will get stronger.
Part B: anxiety can be multiplied. The trick is to do the opposite of what you are told to do.
You have to fight what the anxiety commands, but accepts the discomfort caused by anxiety.
Believe yourself safe.
When turbulence occurs, a lot of people start thinking about bad things.
To manage the anxiety that may arise when turbulence, learn about airplanes and how planes are designed to handle turbulence.
Focus on managing your anxiety rather than trying to figure out when turbulence will end or what the worst possibilities might be.
Convince yourself, you’ll be safe.
Meditate before boarding
Before the flight schedule, try daily meditation exercises for 1–2 weeks in advance. To do this, you can take a deep breath for 4 seconds and exhale slowly for 6 seconds. Repeat until the body and mind calm down.
Consumption of energy drinks
Try consuming caffeinated beverages or energy drinks before boarding. This is thought to help eliminate elements that can trigger anxiety while on board.
Search for activities that can distract your mind
Do things that help you stay focused, not afraid, and not anxious. For example, lowering the window cover and listening to music, reading a book, watching, or eating something.