| Have you ever wanted to take that dream trip to a | | | | heightens them into a worse case scenario that |
| tropical island in the Caribbean to soak up the sun and | | | | accentuates your fear. You need to use your |
| atmosphere, but had that dream taken away from | | | | imagination to overcome fear of flying, rather than |
| you because of your fear of flying? It doesn't have | | | | allow it to feed the fear. |
| to be this way! You need to identify exactly why it is | | | | Seldom do people realise that flying is significantly |
| you harbour these, and other, fears, and discover | | | | safer than travelling in a car or a train. Think about |
| ways to overcome fear of flying and other | | | | that for a second; it is more dangerous to hop into a |
| limitations. | | | | car and drive down a freeway than it is to fly, yet |
| What is fear of flying? | | | | people do it every single day without even thinking |
| An unwillingness to even think about getting onboard | | | | twice. When you hop into a car or a train what are |
| a plane is a sure fire sign of fear of flying, but these | | | | you thinking? Really, the next time you get into a car |
| are some other common symptoms: | | | | or train, take note of what goes through your mind. |
| - Worrying, and becoming overstressed about a flight | | | | Most likely you're not even thinking about whether or |
| for days, weeks, even months in advance | | | | not it's safe to do so, you just do it. Yet when a |
| - Having feelings of anxiety before boarding the plane | | | | plane is involved we allow our imagination to |
| - Feeling you need a strong drink or sedatives to | | | | overwhelm us due to the uncertainty, because after |
| calm down before a flight | | | | all how can an object that big possibly fly? |
| - Feeling uncomfortable when the door closes, when | | | | Overcome fear of flying |
| the plane takes off, and when you hear certain | | | | There are a number of ways to feel more |
| noises | | | | comfortable about flying, and to use your imagination |
| - Feeling elated and overcome with relief when you | | | | in your favour. |
| finally get off the plane | | | | - Prior to the flight have a full, nutritious meal as it will |
| Why do you fear flying? | | | | help you relax during the flight. |
| In order to overcome fear of flying we need to | | | | - Ensure you pack books to read, or music to listen |
| understand why the fear exists. There are two | | | | to, or anything else that will distract you, while you |
| types of things in our lives; things we can control, | | | | are waiting for the flight, and during the actual flight |
| and things we cannot control. Things we can control | | | | - Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare |
| include our thoughts, our actions, and our reactions to | | | | so you can check-in and get your luggage through |
| certain situations. However, we cannot control things | | | | without too much hassle |
| such as the behaviour of others (legally anyway), the | | | | - Avoid sugary foods, or caffeine prior to the flight |
| thoughts of others, and the weather, among other | | | | as this may increase stress levels |
| things. | | | | Other than these practical tips, a very effective way |
| Fears emanate from our irrational assumptions that | | | | to overcome fear of flying is to visualise the flight. |
| the things we cannot control will turn out to be bad | | | | Before your flight try to visualise every aspect of |
| experiences. For example, with flying we have | | | | the journey; from the time you arrive at the airport |
| absolutely no control; everything is in the hands of | | | | imagine everything going smoothly during the |
| the captain. And even if we wanted to, we can't just | | | | check-in, see yourself walking calmly, even laughing, |
| stop the plane and get off. Where do these | | | | as you go through the gates and onto the plane. |
| assumptions come from though? We certainly aren't | | | | Imagine yourself sitting in your seat, being absorbed |
| born with these fears; they are learned through our | | | | in your book, then seeing the magnificent view out |
| experiences and through the experiences of others. | | | | the window. Visualise the smooth landing, and how |
| Try to think of a time that triggered your fear of | | | | thankful you are to the crew for such an enjoyable |
| flying, it could be a personal experience of a turbulent | | | | flight. Now that wasn't so bad was it? |
| flight you had, the fearful stories of others, or the | | | | Visualisation is a powerful technique not just to help |
| frightening images seen on television. It's likely that | | | | overcome fear of flying, but also to overcome any |
| your imagination takes these experiences and | | | | other fear you have. |