10 Fear Of Flying Tips

If the thought of leaving on a plane for a Caribbean vacation makes you shake in horror rather than jump for joy, you need to read these 10 fear of flying tips. First, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many Americans suffer from airplane jitters. These tips, however, will help you safely overcome your fear of flying so you can book that next flight and hit the open skies. The world awaits…

1. Know the facts. Over three million passengers fly safely around the world a day, so don’t focus on that one lone plane crash you might hear about. People are almost 1,000 times safer in a plane than a car, yet nobody freaks out and stops driving every time they read about a car accident.
2. Change your way of thinking. Instead of focusing on the worst possible scenario (what if this plane crashes?) try to stay positive and in the present. Also, try to reward yourself at the end of the flight. Plan a dinner with friends or family for when your plane lands or promise to buy yourself a nice souvenir. While you’re flying, return to thinking about what’s waiting at the end of the plane ride instead of thinking about being blown to smithereens.
3. Bring a buddy. Ride with a seasoned flying companion who can console you and set a good example as you take off. Ask your friend to keep talking to you or let you squeeze his/her hand if your fear of flying leads you to stress out mid-flight.
4. Sit in the front. Reserve or ask for a spot near the front of the plane to help quell your fear of flying. There is less turbulence in the front and middle than the very back of the plane, and it might make you feel less claustrophobic than being pushed to the very back with tons of people in front of you.
5. Buy supplies. Make sure to stay well-hydrated during the plane ride to avoid headaches or nausea, which can worsen your fear of flying. Buy a bottle of water in the terminal, along with some snacks to tide you over if you get hungry (honestly, the most dangerous part of air travel is the stuff the flight attendants try to pass off as food). Try some trail mix and a granola bar.
6. Keep busy. Try to stay mentally active during the flight so your mind stays focused on other topics and not on your flying fears. Talk to your buddy, read a magazine, or watch the in-flight movie, if it’s not too sappy and ridiculous.
7. Don’t tense up. When turbulence hits, people who fear flying often tense up. Try instead to roll with the motion and keep your muscles relaxed. Pretend you’re in water, flowing with the currents. The best thing to do is just ride these waves out calmly.
8. Breath. It’s a nice and simple solution that will help a great deal. When your heart starts to race, take a slow deep breath through your nose and a long exhale from your mouth. Repeat this ten times or until you feel calmed.
9. Have a drink. A beer or a glass of wine can help to relax your nerves a bit. No more after that, though, or things could get scary fast due to your overactive, drunk imagination.
10. Get it over with. If you’re still putting off a plane trip because of your fears, remember: the only way you will get over your fear of flying is by taking the metaphorical plunge and boarding that plane. You’ll land safely and be able to disprove your worries.