How to cope if you have anxiety when flying

Do you have a dream of reaching remote destinations thousands of miles away from your home, yet you’re absolutely terrified of flying? To most, this obstacle seems like it’s impossible to overcome, and they just come to terms with the fact that flying is off the table.

Luckily, things aren't as bad as they might seem at first. There are more than a handful of ways in which you can trick your brain and push back the fear and anxiety of flying. Interested in finding out just how you can do that? Here’s how you can ditch your anxiety once and for all.

Put your trust in the numbers

We’re sure you've already heard about the statistics which show that you’re much more likely to have an accident while driving a car than while being a passenger on an airplane. However, you probably only hear about it when you’re already anxious, and don’t have the mental capacity to truly grasp the given information. However, if you take your time to truly admire these numbers, it might help you avoid the unnecessary stress when you potentially start feeling nervous again.

Find something to distract your mind

Here is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but somehow, it still works like a charm. It’s not that it’s bulletproof or anything, but the thing that makes it so effective hides in its simplicity. You don’t have to prepare ahead of time, or put your trust in any specific gadget. The only thing that’s necessary is to distract yourself and don’t allow your negative thoughts to reign supreme. You can do that by watching a movie, listening to audiobooks, talking to your fellow passengers or playing a game on your phone. Whatever works for you is fine, as long as it doesn’t upset the individuals sitting next to you.

Try to understand your fears

Ah yes, the dreaded idea of facing our fears. We all know that it needs to be done sooner or later, but we somehow never seem to find an appropriate time to do so. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, phobias don’t simply go away, no matter how much we hope for that to happen. So, what’s the solution? Talking to therapists might not seem appealing to some, but in this case, the results speak for themselves. There’s no better way of getting in touch with yourself than by defining the very things that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Expand your knowledge on turbulence

Most people who don’t like flying fear the turbulence the most, and that’s perfectly normal. When you’re feeling anxious about being trapped in a steel cage well above ground, and you suddenly feel everything starting to shake, it’s perfectly expected to panic. Fortunately, the more you learn about turbulence, the more you’ll realize just how normal it is. The lack of knowledge on the topic is the scary part, and when you get into the subtle nuances, you will be more psychologically prepared to encounter the wild winds.

Gain invaluable experience with each flight

Once again, the anxiety when facing the unknown is the worst. However, after you take a couple of flights, try to learn from that experience, and grow as a person. By constantly going through the same scenario while experiencing the same results, you’ll eventually realize that flying is not so scary after all. It might take some time before you get there, but be patient and allow it to come naturally. It will happen sooner than you might think.

Focus on reaching your destination

Ultimately, you have to remember that traveling is only a necessary part of visiting remote destinations. Instead of tormenting yourself with the flight details, collect all the courage you have in your body, and aim it towards reaching your destination. Once you step off the platform, leave your anxiety in the past, and enjoy your trip. That’s why you decided to travel in the first place.