Many people with a fear of flying said that they are completely aware that flying is a safe mode of transportation. It actually makes rational and logical sense to them. The problem is that their bodies have formed a link between flight and anxiousness.
While aviophobia (fear of flying) is a clinical illness that affects about 3 percent of the population, generalized fear of flying is significantly more common. Some passengers are afraid of being trapped in an enclosed area for an extended period. In contrast, others fear heights, and a small group fears accidentally opening a plane door mid-flight. Furthermore, some passengers are concerned about germs and viruses, while others are worried about being stuck on a plane. This is also one of the major reasons why fear of flying courses plays a good role in many travelers, especially nowadays that air travel is the preferred way to move around.
Whatever is causing your anxiety, there are different strategies to deal with it. We’re here to help you with these nine alternatives.
1. Rationalise the reason behind turbulence.
Turbulence happens when there are uneven wind currents, which cause planes to sway, similar to driving on a bumpy road or sailing on choppy seas. However, there is no need to be concerned because plane structures can handle and reduce turbulence.
Don’t be alarmed if you see the wings bobbing up and down on the window during turbulence. Instead, be happy for their flexing wings, which act as shock absorbers, softening the ride over a gravel road.
Furthermore, technology is being utilized to identify turbulence, allowing pilots to avoid it and give the most comfortable trip possible.
2. Become acquainted with the built-in safety features.
Airplanes function within a system that is unrelated to what the majority of people are accustomed to. As a result, take solace in knowing how engineers build planes to survive tragedies. Being prepared is essential in any emergency circumstance, and knowing that you’re predisposed for several eventualities can help alleviate stress.
If you’re worried about catching COVID-19 while traveling, it’s a good idea to learn about air circulation on planes. The cabin air is refreshed every three minutes, and any recycled air is blasted through HEPA filters, which remove 99.9% of germs and viruses.
3. Study how airplane crashes happened.
While it may appear paradoxical, being aware of recent aviation catastrophes may make you feel safer on a trip. Consider seeing a flying show that explains what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how the industry has evolved to avoid another disaster.
You may also watch films of all the testing that planes must pass before they can fly, which vary from stress tests to rigorous flight tests that push an aircraft’s boundaries. It isn’t easy to fly a plane.
4. Engage the flight attendants in conversation.
Flight attendants are always there to assist you. They are your best advocate because they can keep an eye on you and your behavior while away to ensure your comfort. They’ve received training to deal with things like fainting, hyperventilation, and a variety of other medical crises that might happen on a plane.
Flight attendants are not just your flight attendants – they are also experts in first aid, CPR, and first aid. Airlines require flight attendants to attend in-person training once a year, complemented by regular online instruction for cabin crew members to stay current on emergency procedures.
5. Make an appointment with a therapist.
If you are paralyzed by fear, you should almost surely seek professional assistance. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention are two ways mental health providers can help people overcome their fear of flying. Doctors can also prescribe Anti-anxiety medicine to help nervous flyers.
Exposure therapy is an effective method of conquering a phobia. Exposure enables an individual to touch the feared stimulus and dispel their erroneous, exaggerated thoughts about the fear. On the other side, avoidance exacerbates worries. Therefore, if you sincerely want to conquer your fear of flying, the best thing you can do for yourself is to board a plane.
