How to get rid of the fear of flying on airplanes

Once upon a time, people dreamed of flying through the sky like birds. Modern realities give us this opportunity - for a relatively small fee, you can be anywhere in the world in the shortest possible time. But another problem arose that interfered with freely dissecting the airspace - aerophobia.

Fear of flying on airplanes is not a fabrication or a whim. This is a very specific disease, because of which people have to give up such a convenient and fast mode of transport. Every person experiences a slight excitement before the flight. But if it crosses all sides, it is a disease. A person with aerophobia feels anxiety and anxiety already on the way to the airport. His heart rate quickens, his sweating intensifies, his speech is incoherent, his arms and legs go numb. The face turns red and turns pale, the head goes round, the concentration of attention is lost, all sounds are heard like an echo. Women can get hysterical, start to cry and scream. If a person has to give up flight from fear, then this is a serious phobia, which must be fought not without the help of a qualified psychologist.

Where does fear come from flying

Fear is a natural reaction of an organism to a certain danger. The self-preservation instinct warns us of possible risks to life and health. But why does one person calmly endure flights and another shakes like an aspen leaf all the way? Who is susceptible to aerophobia?

1. As scientists have established, aerophobia, like other fears, is inherited. That is, there is a certain percentage of probability, according to which, your brothers, sisters, parents and children will suffer from the fear of flying on airplanes if you yourself are afraid to fly. It was found that identical twins in 70% of cases suffer from the same phobias.
2. Living conditions, upbringing and the foundation of world perception laid down in childhood are also an important factor in relation to various subjects. For example, if in childhood your parents once dropped the phrase that the plane is dangerous, you can fall and crash, etc., then the attitude to this iron bird begins to form.
3. Existing unrest can be exacerbated by the influence of the media. Often in the news they talk about a tragic plane crash, we take everything to heart, empathize and unwittingly put ourselves in the place of these people. We do not think that a million other successful flights on other airliners were completed on the day, we only think about this tragic departure. And boarding the plane once again, we believe that the tragedy can happen with us. Such impressionable people should not watch news about air crashes.

If the fear of flying on planes is strong enough, if it does not pass for a long time, tormenting your nerves, it needs to be treated. Usually, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) methods, medications (sedatives), and hypnotic suggestion are used in the treatment of aerophobia. But sessions with a psychotherapist and psychologist are considered particularly effective, which will help to identify the true cause of fear and, through conversation, eliminate the phobia forever. To make sure of the successful outcome of the conversations, some psychological clinics have rooms that simulate the airplane cabin, take-off, landing, etc.

How to calm down during a flight

1. During registration, ask to put you in a place where the porthole will not be visible, because if you look outside, it will increase your fears. A place in the center of the plane will help you move away from the problem.Some people calm down when they are sitting closer to the emergency exit - perhaps this will make it easier for you.
2. Try to get distracted during the flight. Read a book, watch a movie, eat. Even a simple chocolate can increase the level of endorphins, which will improve your psycho-emotional state.
3. When buying a ticket, pay attention to the choice of airline, find out about its reputation. If in its entire history this team “did not drop” a single plane, it is worth something. The thought of the reliability of air travel will reassure you.
4. If during the flight you are constrained by fear, try to talk with a person sitting nearby. If you are not flying alone, this is wonderful. Talking with a stranger is even more interesting. Perhaps you will be able to practice learning foreign languages?
5. At the time of take-off, many are seized with fear due to the roar of the motor. So that the noise of a running engine can not confuse you, use headphones. Turn on your favorite tune so you don’t hear a terrifying sound.
6. Try to relax in your chair. Open the top button on the shirt and loosen the tie. Imagine being at home on your favorite couch after a long and hard day.
7. Another great remedy for a relaxing flight is sleeping pills. Drink the right pill before the flight, and it will pass unnoticed for you. Just keep money and documents with you.
8. Usually, the most disturbing moment in a flight is the time when you have already sat down in your seat, comfortably settled down and wait for the plane to start and take off. To speed up the anxious wait, you can see photos, play games on your phone, tablet or laptop. If there are no gadgets at hand, you can just count. Count to one hundred, thousands, it perfectly calms the nerves.
9. Bring chewing gums or sweets with you on the plane. They will distract you from what is happening.
10. If you are afraid of jolting and turbulence, then you should pay attention to choosing a place on the plane. Sit closer to the nose - in the tail, as a rule, shakes harder.
11. To get rid of tormenting feelings, before the flight you need to do something pleasant. Meet with friends, shop, devote your time to your favorite hobby, play with your pet. And then you will not have time for worries and worries - positive emotions are stronger than negative ones.
12. If none of the suggested remedies work, try relaxing with alcohol. Indeed, a small dose of alcohol is really able to relieve stress, relieve anxiety and fear. Just do not overdo it - it can be fraught with unpleasant consequences.
13. To completely get rid of aerophobia, you need to fly as much as possible. It is put off in your mind as a positive experience. You understand that nothing happened to you, that flying is safe and very convenient.

And the last one. Think about what you can do if the flight goes wrong. Are you a pilot? Can you really change the situation? Well of course not. After you board a plane, you should understand that nothing further depends on you. Therefore, you need to calmly perceive the situation - your experiences are still in vain.

Why you should not be afraid of air travel

Aircraft is a huge multi-ton machine that can fly into the sky and transport over a hundred people over long distances. Remember that the aircraft were built by prominent scientists and engineers. During the design, assembly and construction of these machines, a thousand times the calculations were carried out with a huge supply of mass and overload. During operation, all options for the behavior of the machine are calculated. The operation of the aircraft allows you to land this car, even if it has failed the main and spare engines.

But disasters happen, you say. Really happen. However, against the backdrop of multimillion-dollar successful flights, tragedies in the sky are extremely rare.Of the 45 million flights, only one is tragic. By the way, much more people die in car accidents, but you are not afraid to drive. Remember that all the fears in your head, you just need to overcome them.

Very often people are afraid of the unusual roar of the engine, some kind of knocking and stopping. They think that the plane’s mechanism breaks down and feels bouts of impending panic. In fact, this is absolutely normal, because the plane does not always work in continuous mode. Sometimes the motor "howls", rumbles and stops. Do not pay attention to this, because on board there are people who are responsible for the operation of the aircraft, for their and your lives. Be optimistic and calm - everything will be fine!

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