Fly Fearlessly! Beat the Fear

What is fear of flying?

With the passage of time transportation facilities has been changed a lot. As humans, our relationship to flight has changed dramatically in the last century. Air travel has developed from a fantasy into a common and widely used mode of transportation. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) there are about 100,000 flights in the world every year. It estimates that 3.7 billion passengers worldwide will fly during 2017.

Air travel has increased in recent years in both frequency and overall safety. The 2016 accident rate of 2.8 accidents per million departures is the lowest airline accident rate in recent history, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Well, still, there are moments that make even a seasoned traveler a bit uneasy. When the wheels start running down the tarmac or you hit a bad patch of turbulence.

What causes flying fear?

There are several possibilities for what contributes to your fear of flight. It could be caused by a single direct influence or a combination of factors. There are lot of factors that can actually give you nerve thrilling experience. A direct influence might be a particularly bad flight you experienced or a connection to someone who experienced a traumatic flight incident or aviation event.

Feeling out of control is a common anxiety trigger, and it is a common influencer of aviophobia. Being way up high is certainly one way to recognize that some things in life are out of your hands! Claustrophobia is another condition that can trigger aviphobia. The cabin of a plane is a tight, crowded space, and it can feel especially confining during boarding, when emotions are already heightened.

Beat the flying fear

If you experience fear of flying, the following tips may help lessen your discomfort on your next flight. So, it’s time to beat your fear:

Stay centered. Breathe deeply for four counts, and then release for six.
Find a focus. Cross your ankles and cross your hands in front of your chest. Breathe deeply while resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Eliminate stressful distractions: Lower the window shade so you’re not distracted with moving elements.
Anticipate your anxiety. Do mindfulness and meditation exercises daily a week or two before a flight.
Be prepared with soothing elements. Find things that help you stay focused and less anxious. Find music that is soothing. Pack snacks that you enjoy but also make you feel good. Stay away from things with sugar, which is a stimulant.
Remove other influencer: Aviphobia may increase when general anxiety is heightened. It may be helpful to remove additional anxiety-inducing elements, such as caffeine, energy drinks, and any other stimulants.

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