Why Being Scared of Flying is Silly

Why Being Scared of Flying is Silly

Do I need Xanax for flying? What if I have a panic attack on plane? What is the aerophobia meaning? Does alcohol help with flight anxiety? What is the best sedative for fear of flying? Fear of flying, also known as aviophobia, is one of the most common types of phobias. According to Stratosjets, it affects 2.5% of the population, with 40% having some level of fear. If you suffer from this, whether it be mild or severe, getting on a plane can be a stressful process and can cause a lot of anxiety. However, it's important to know that while it may be scary at first, there are things you can do to get through it. Who knows, you may even overcome your fear altogether. Below we are going to talk about ten tips to help you ease flight anxiety. We hope that this Why Being Scared of Flying is Silly post inspires you. 

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Why Being Scared of Flying is Silly

Acknowledge your feelings.

The first thing you need to do to overcome your fear of flying is to acknowledge how you are feeling. Hiding or pretending you don't have a problem isn't going to help you move forward. Once you are in touch with your emotions, you can then prepare yourself for making the necessary changes. Trust us when we say it's the best place to start, and you'll feel much better because of it.

Avoid traveling alone.

If the entire process from being on the plane to walking through the airport makes you nervous, avoid traveling alone. Having someone else to rely on will help you relax and focus on managing your emotions. While this isn't always possible, it is a good place to begin. Otherwise, you could end up with a negative experience that stresses you further.

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Go on small trips first.

If you know that you don't enjoy flying, don't book a trip to a country that is ten hours away. If you haven't been in the air for a while, this is only going to make things worse, and there is a good chance you won't board your flight at all. It can be worth going on a short vacation, somewhere only an hour or two away first. Once you have built up your confidence, you can take things further.

Know the rules and your rights.

Another reason why you might be concerned about flying is that there are so many rules and regulations. Brushing up your knowledge in advance by searching online will help make the boarding process much more manageable. Don't forget that you are also entitled to certain rights. If you get bumped from your flight this holiday season, make sure the airline ponies up! Here's how to get maximum value for your inconvenience.

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Communicate with the flight attendants.

If you aren't able to take someone with you, that doesn't mean that you are alone. Communicate with the flight attendants and explain your situation. They will be able to check on you and may even offer you some tips to help with the journey. It can also be an excellent idea to let your fellow travelers know how you are feeling. Who knows, they may even give you some more advice. Opening up to others can be relieving in itself.

Distract yourself.

Without a doubt, one of the best ways to get you through a flight, whether it be long or short, is to distract yourself. If your mind is busy focusing on something, you can avoid those negative thoughts. Pack plenty of books, magazines, puzzles, and games in your bag so that your brain can stay busy. If you're going to be using your phone, make sure you download some movies or television episodes to last the entire flight. If you are feeling trapped, remember that it's generally ok for you to get up and stretch. It will release tension, and your body will thank you for it.

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Drink responsibly.

It's typical for anxious flyers to down a few drinks as soon as they get on their flight (or even beforehand), and while this is often fine, you still want to limit yourself. It's important to drink responsibly. Otherwise, you could end up with further complications later on. The last thing you want is to get off the plane and not be able to find your luggage or way out of the airport. Not to mention that sometimes alcohol can have an adverse effect. Instead of calming you, it could end up resulting in further anxiety.

Wear headphones.

Those dreaded airplane noises can certainly seem concerning, even if most of them are completely normal. If you find that they are a trigger, make sure you pack either a pair of earplugs or some noise-canceling headphones. Not only will they assist with distracting (like we talked about above), but they may even help you get some shut-eye if you are on a long flight. Just make sure you prepare some of your favorite tunes, audiobooks, or even ASMR!

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Focus on breathing.

If you suffer from anxiety, you should already know about the benefits of breathing techniques. By taking deep breaths and holding them in, you will trigger a calming response that can prevent panic attacks. Take a look at some of these great techniques and exercises to get started. They are all easy to follow and will help you in more than one way.

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Think about the positives.

Finally, one of the most critical things to do when you are planning anything is to think about the positives. For instance, what is important about this trip, and why are you going on it in the first place? If the good outweighs the bad, consider how great you will feel after everything is over. It's always better to approach things positively as negative thoughts will only cause unnecessary problems.

And that's it! These are ten tips that you can follow to ease flight anxiety. Remember, while it may seem impossible, you will be able to get through it. If you think that your phobia is severe and the above isn't helping you cope, speak to your doctor for more advice. They may recommend seeing a therapist to help locate the cause of your fear. We hope that this Why Being Scared of Flying is Silly post inspires you.