5 Surefire Ways to Get Rid of Your Fear of Flying

Your luggage is ready. You already have your passport and ticket with you. Everything is ready except you- the passenger. You cannot stop thinking about “what ifs”. What if the plane crashed? What if the plane was hijacked? What if the plane engine failed? There are countless “what ifs” but most of them are irrational. Here are 5 ways to help you overcome your fear of flying:

1. Think of the benefits of flying. Why do you need to ride an airplane? Maybe it’s the only way for you to be able to reach your destination. Perhaps you want to visit friends or family in faraway places. Long ago this wasn’t possible. People had to endure long hours of travel. But because of this amazing invention, travelers could easily go from one place to another. Thanks to the Wright brothers for their invention that paved the way to the era of aviation.

2. Study aviation. You don’t need to get a degree in aviation. The important thing is you must be knowledgeable about the basics such as how the plane works. There are reliable books and websites available that you could study to be more familiar with airplanes.

3. Distract yourself. While sitting on the plane, you can do other rational things rather than dwelling on your fears. You can befriend the flight attendants or you can talk to the person beside you. By focusing on other things, you will feel calmer. You can also read a good book, listen to music or do other things that relax your mind.

4. Identify the cause of your fear. Be aware of the reason why you feel anxious while flying. This will help you control your fear. Maybe you experienced a bad flight in the past or you’ve read some terrible news about bad events. Despite what you read, air travel is relatively safe. Those plane crashes you’ve heard are isolated cases. Try to compare automobile accidents to airplane accidents. Car accidents are more common than airplane accidents.

5. Ask a professional for help. Extreme fear may need a professional’s help. Trying to fight your fear by yourself could make the situation worse. Thankfully there are licensed therapists who could help you fly in comfort. You may also join classes for fearful fliers. Some airways also offer courses that would help you fly with confidence.

Now after doing all these steps. Take a deep breath, smile, and enjoy your flight.