How to fly high and feel safe

Mr. Play It Safe, was afraid to fly… and he’s not alone. About one in four people suffers from a certain level of aerophobia. That’s a big shame, as air travel is one of the safest and most convenient ways to get to the most beautiful holiday destinations for a dose of well-deserved winter sun. Being afraid of something that seems normal to many others is nothing to be ashamed of: even celebrity Alanis Morissette is suffering from a fear of air-conditioning which makes it impossible for her to fly with regular airlines. Luckily, there are many tricks and therapies that can help people rise above irrational fears.

Step 1: Define your fear

Acknowledging your angst is the first step of overcoming it. Writing down what you feel can help. Are you suffering from anticipatory anxiety that starts long before you’re actually flying, do you get nervous as soon as you enter the airport, or does panic overwhelm you as soon as the plane hits a spot of innocent turbulence?

Step 2: Discover the root of your anxiety

Take some time to find out why the idea of boarding a flight frightens you. For example, your phobia might be caused by a fear of heights, claustrophobia, news about terrorism or because you don’t understand that it’s possible for such a large machine to glide through the sky.

Step 3: Rise above your fear

Now that you understand the origin of your fear, stop refuelling it by looking for evidence that might confirm your worries. Instead, you should direct positive thoughts towards the launch pad. For example, if you are afraid of flying because you don’t understand how it is possible, reading up on the mechanisms that enable the plane to do so can considerably diminish your angst. People who fear that their plane might be hijacked should realize that, with contemporary airport security and our well-trained cabin crew, the occurrence of skyjacking is extremely unlikely. This step is all about accepting that you have developed fear while there is no significant danger.

Step 4: Exposure treatment

Try to familiarize yourself with as many aspects related to your flight as possible before you go. This includes visiting your departure airport a couple of days before you go. Research shows that exposing people to anxiety-producing material decreases the intensity of their emotional reaction over time and that virtual reality simulations are effective tools to desensitize feared situations. If you think you need professional guidance, you could ask for exposure treatment.

Step 5: Avoid Stress

The first day of your vacation can be pretty turbulent. You’ll be able to cope better with turbulence during your flight if you avoid stress before take-off. Sort out travel essentials such as your passport, visa and medicines a couple of days beforehand so that you don’t have to worry about it last minute. Make sure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Take your time to check in and start walking towards your gate as soon as it opens.

Step 6: Take off

If you’re very nervous before take-off, it might be a good idea to tell the cabin crew how you feel. Opening the cold air vent above your head can make you feel better as well. Don’t worry if you hear quite a lot of noise in the cabin during the preparation for take-off, this is normal.

Step 7: Enjoy your flight!

If fear of heights isn’t the root of your problem, you will find the heavenly view of the clouds below the plane enchanting. Bring a book or portable DVD player to entertain you during your flight and take a nap when you’re starting to feel drowsy.