DId you know that one out of every six adults has a fear of flying? Flying isn't really something that everyone looks forward to. Like in my case, riding an airplane has always been an issue for the longest time and it was just recently that I've somewhat overcame my fear and realized that I had nothing to fear after all. Of course, there are still those moments that I find myself nervous which is completely normal, but that didn't stop me from flying. Don't let your fear of flying hinder you from traveling and discovering new places. So if you suffer from the same anxiety when traveling by plane, here are some tips to that can help alleviate your fear and make flying more bearable.
Learn the Symptoms.This fear can manifest in numerous ways. To find the best treatment for your condition, you must know the common symptoms you may feel when experiencing an anxiety attack because of the object of your fear. The symptoms you will experience may vary. Sometimes you will experience a symptom you did not experience from your previous episode.
Flying is safer than you think. Flying is actually the safest mode of transportation. Even if it doesn't seem like it, your chances of being involved in an aircraft accident are approximately one in eleven million. Always remember that airplanes are designed and built to withstand even the wildest turbulences. Apart from that, airline companies make sure that their planes and pilots are in tip top shape every flight so you shouldn't worry too much.
Know the Effects of Flying - In order for you to cure yourself of your fear of flying it is best that you find out what should you expect when you fly. This includes the make and model of the plane that you will be riding, its speed, what side effects you are supposed to feel during take off and landing and how long it will take you to reach your destination.Meditate - If your fear of flying is still there after doing research on the first two steps, you should learn the art of meditation. When boarding a plane, think of things that are pleasant to you so you can keep your mind off the fact that you will be flying. You can practice breathing exercises, read a book or hum a tune. Anything that can help you focus on something else.
Fear of flying may be common, but that doesn't make it any less of a problem. The panic you experience even thinking about taking a flight can be truly debilitating - but fortunately, it is something which can be overcome. You don't have to stay close to home for vacations, refrain from attending family reunions and weddings located too far away to drive. All you have to do is start putting the five following tips to use; it may not happen overnight, but if you're determined to get past your fear of flying, you can do it.
Accept Risks - Regardless of how much you prepare yourself from any eventuality, you will never really know when accident will strike. The same rule applies when flying on a plane. By accepting the fact that risks are always involved in everything that we do, you will be calmer and more accepting of the fact that your fear of flying can be remedied.It's estimated that approximately 50% of the population is afraid to fly.Fear is a problem. It fuels all types of anxiety disorders, and is usually linked to an unpleasant experience, or the belief that an unpleasant experience will occur. This idea is based on the psychological school of thought called behaviorism, which suggests that behaviors are learned through interactions with the world around us, and shape our behavior.
When we have negative life experiences, our behavior becomes conditioned to respond through avoidance or anxiety. Either you freak out when you have to fly, or you avoid flying altogether. The more flying is paired with anxiety, the more conditioned your response becomes. In time, simply going to the airport can trigger an anxiety attack.Our beliefs also add to our anxiety.
Take my friend Marybeth, as long as I've known her she's flown without a problem. Being claustrophobic however, she always chose to sit in an isle seat. But recently, she had an experience where she wanted to get up and move around, and the stewardess told her she had to stay in her seat. Marybeth began to feel trapped on the plane. She did what all of us do; she began "what if" thinking. What if she needed to get up and she wasn't allowed to? What if she panicked? What if she needed to use the rest room? What if she couldn't get an isle seat?
Be prepared:There's nothing that can make your anxiety about flying worse than having to rush to the airport at the last minute. Even though the stress of being late may not have much to do with your fear of flying, if you're already stressed out when you arrive at the airport, you'll have a much harder time relaxing once you're on the plane. Make a point of arriving early for your flight in order to give yourself some time to sit down, decompress and use some of your relaxation techniques so that you're ready for take-off.
The good news is you can change or modify these beliefs by learning to refute them in light of the truth. Challenge yourself by asking the following questions:What evidence do I have to support my belief the plane will crash? What is the worse that could happen if I panic, and how does that compare to the worst thing I've ever experienced? Do I want to upset myself? How likely is it that these bad consequences will occur? If the worst does happen, how can I handle it? The other key piece is paying attention to what you're telling yourself. Harness negative self- talk that perpetuates your fears by:Noticing how what you're telling yourself impacts your mood Not talking about your anxiety to everyone. It perpetuates it.Not listening to everyone's horror stories about flying,Other tips for the fearful flier include:Chose an isle seat if you're claustrophobic,Learn relaxation and deep breathing exercises to calm yourself,Distract yourself by reading, listening to music, or watching a movie
Learn the Symptoms.This fear can manifest in numerous ways. To find the best treatment for your condition, you must know the common symptoms you may feel when experiencing an anxiety attack because of the object of your fear. The symptoms you will experience may vary. Sometimes you will experience a symptom you did not experience from your previous episode.
Flying is safer than you think. Flying is actually the safest mode of transportation. Even if it doesn't seem like it, your chances of being involved in an aircraft accident are approximately one in eleven million. Always remember that airplanes are designed and built to withstand even the wildest turbulences. Apart from that, airline companies make sure that their planes and pilots are in tip top shape every flight so you shouldn't worry too much.
Know the Effects of Flying - In order for you to cure yourself of your fear of flying it is best that you find out what should you expect when you fly. This includes the make and model of the plane that you will be riding, its speed, what side effects you are supposed to feel during take off and landing and how long it will take you to reach your destination.Meditate - If your fear of flying is still there after doing research on the first two steps, you should learn the art of meditation. When boarding a plane, think of things that are pleasant to you so you can keep your mind off the fact that you will be flying. You can practice breathing exercises, read a book or hum a tune. Anything that can help you focus on something else.
Fear of flying may be common, but that doesn't make it any less of a problem. The panic you experience even thinking about taking a flight can be truly debilitating - but fortunately, it is something which can be overcome. You don't have to stay close to home for vacations, refrain from attending family reunions and weddings located too far away to drive. All you have to do is start putting the five following tips to use; it may not happen overnight, but if you're determined to get past your fear of flying, you can do it.
Accept Risks - Regardless of how much you prepare yourself from any eventuality, you will never really know when accident will strike. The same rule applies when flying on a plane. By accepting the fact that risks are always involved in everything that we do, you will be calmer and more accepting of the fact that your fear of flying can be remedied.It's estimated that approximately 50% of the population is afraid to fly.Fear is a problem. It fuels all types of anxiety disorders, and is usually linked to an unpleasant experience, or the belief that an unpleasant experience will occur. This idea is based on the psychological school of thought called behaviorism, which suggests that behaviors are learned through interactions with the world around us, and shape our behavior.
When we have negative life experiences, our behavior becomes conditioned to respond through avoidance or anxiety. Either you freak out when you have to fly, or you avoid flying altogether. The more flying is paired with anxiety, the more conditioned your response becomes. In time, simply going to the airport can trigger an anxiety attack.Our beliefs also add to our anxiety.
Take my friend Marybeth, as long as I've known her she's flown without a problem. Being claustrophobic however, she always chose to sit in an isle seat. But recently, she had an experience where she wanted to get up and move around, and the stewardess told her she had to stay in her seat. Marybeth began to feel trapped on the plane. She did what all of us do; she began "what if" thinking. What if she needed to get up and she wasn't allowed to? What if she panicked? What if she needed to use the rest room? What if she couldn't get an isle seat?
Be prepared:There's nothing that can make your anxiety about flying worse than having to rush to the airport at the last minute. Even though the stress of being late may not have much to do with your fear of flying, if you're already stressed out when you arrive at the airport, you'll have a much harder time relaxing once you're on the plane. Make a point of arriving early for your flight in order to give yourself some time to sit down, decompress and use some of your relaxation techniques so that you're ready for take-off.
The good news is you can change or modify these beliefs by learning to refute them in light of the truth. Challenge yourself by asking the following questions:What evidence do I have to support my belief the plane will crash? What is the worse that could happen if I panic, and how does that compare to the worst thing I've ever experienced? Do I want to upset myself? How likely is it that these bad consequences will occur? If the worst does happen, how can I handle it? The other key piece is paying attention to what you're telling yourself. Harness negative self- talk that perpetuates your fears by:Noticing how what you're telling yourself impacts your mood Not talking about your anxiety to everyone. It perpetuates it.Not listening to everyone's horror stories about flying,Other tips for the fearful flier include:Chose an isle seat if you're claustrophobic,Learn relaxation and deep breathing exercises to calm yourself,Distract yourself by reading, listening to music, or watching a movie
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