Have a Flying Phobia? Overcome With Some Tips Here

Do you have a phobia of flying? Relax, you are not alone. Believe me, many people who have phobias fly. In fact, not a few, you know, adventurers who have explored various countries, but apparently have a phobia of flying. Strange but True.

But, seriously you know. It turns out that there are also many travelers – one of whom is my own friend – who has been poor across various parts of the world, but still cannot be separated from the problem of phobias of flying. In fact, they certainly have to use planes to reach these countries because – like it or not – planes are still the most practical transportation to connect various countries. But the average traveler has his own tips and tricks for conquering his phobias of flying.

The question is, how to overcome phobias of flying? How can we sit relaxed on the plane to the destination, without having to feel paranoid about various things? Come on, consider the following tips extracted from various sources – including tips from professional travelers and also medical personnel.

A Glimpse of Flying Phobias

Flying phobia, or often referred to as aviophobia (sometimes also called it “aerophobia”) is a phobia / fear associated with flying activities – whether it is in aircraft, helicopters, and other flying objects. The cause can be very complex.

Some are caused by fear that the plane will crash, fear of aircraft hijacking / terrorism, fear that the plane will fail landing / take off, to fear being influenced by other phobias such as claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) and acrophobia (fear of heights ).

Oh yes, phobias can also be caused by fear of flying motion sickness. So, do not always feel dramatic if you have a phobia of flying, because there are so many causes.

Of all the types of phobias, phobias are one of the phobias that are difficult to avoid. This is mainly because until now the aircraft is still the most practical mode of transportation, especially for traveling to other countries which are quite far away. Some professions (and hobbies) even require a person to routinely fly, regardless of whether that person has a phobia of flying or not.

However, even though it can’t be avoided, phobia of flying could be one of the phobias that is always successful in making other passengers annoyed. That is because sometimes people with phobias fly often emit excessive emotional responses, such as excessive screaming, crying, and even create another stir. So, even though you don’t need to feel ashamed if you have a phobia to fly, there’s no harm in learning to control the phobia so it’s still within reasonable limits.

Tips for Overcoming Phobias of Flying

Here are some tips for who might be able to help overcome phobias of flying:

Before leaving

1. First identify what is the source of your flying phobias. Are you afraid to fly for fear of falling? Or is it due to other phobia factors – like microphobia and acrophobia? By recognizing the source of this fear, you will focus on finding a solution. For example, if the fear of flying is influenced by claustrophobia and acrophobia, you can work around this by choosing a seat near the aisle, because sitting near someone else can reduce fear and anxiety. Meanwhile, if your fear is due to other factors, such as excessive fear of turbulence, you can see the tips in the ‘when on a plane’ section.
2. Never get too upset with a variety of accidents that have occurred. You may find information on tips to save yourself in the event of an accident. But avoid looking for information about plane crashes, especially to see photos of accident victims, etc. Things like that can trigger a sense of panic while on the plane.
3. Before starting the trip, you can try to visualize the series of trips that will be carried out, starting from coming to the airport, until it’s time to fly. It is hoped that by practicing the visualization frequently, the brain will get used to the situation while flying and will send signals less often to the body.
4. Before entering the plane, it never hurts to explain your fear to the crew on duty. Professional crews are usually trained to deal with passengers who are afraid of flying. But if you already have your own tips and tricks to overcome the phobia of flying, there is no harm in asking the crew in charge to help carry out various tips and tricks. For example, you can ask for help to be routinely reminded that the flight conditions are fine, ask for help to be reminded to do various breathing techniques in case of sudden panic attack, and others.
5. Know your physical and psychological condition yourself. If your phobias are too severe, do not force to fly for a long time. You can choose several short flights (transit several times), and choose a large body aircraft that is relatively more resistant to turbulence.