Do you feel your heart pounding and your palms sweating when you board an airplane? There's nothing to be afraid of! In fact, it is estimated that up to 25% of people experience some level of anxiety when it comes to flying. Learn more about 11 useful tips from experts to help you cope with your fear of flying

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Everyone knows that the probability of dying in a car accident is much higher than the chance of getting into a plane crash. However, despite this, many people in different parts of the planet are disturbed and frightened by the thought of a possible trip by plane. The reasons are different - someone is worried about staying in a closed space for too long, others don't like heights, someone is afraid of being depressurized due to opening a door or a broken porthole. And although according to medical studies, the clinical diagnosis of aviaphobia - the fear of flying - occurs in only 2.5% of the population, anxiety before traveling by plane is more common.

How to overcome your fear of flying? We have collected 11 useful tips from experts that will surely help you.

Determine the exact cause of your fear

Most of the time, you are not really afraid of the flight itself, but of a certain consequence - so it is important to analyze your anxiety before trying to overcome it. The most common fears associated with flying are the fear of death, confined spaces (claustrophobia), contracting COVID or other diseases, or even possible condemnation from fellow passengers. Once you figure out what makes you anxious about flying, you can focus on overcoming that particular trigger.

Demystify turbulence

Turbulence is wind currents that cause airplanes to wobble a bit. Their action can be compared to driving on a potholed road or sailing on a stormy sea. However, it is worth remembering that airplanes are specially designed to cope with turbulence and minimize it. Also, modern technologies are actively used to predict areas of turbulence so that pilots can avoid them and ensure the smoothest journey possible.

Learn more about aircraft construction

Prepare yourself and learn more about the design of the aircraft, its safety system and how it can withstand emergency situations.

It's also helpful to do some research on air circulation in airplanes to reduce your fear of contracting COVID-19 or any other illness while flying. Fresh air constantly enters the plane - in the cabin it is renewed every three minutes, before it passes through filters that remove 99.9% of impurities, including bacteria and viruses. In addition, the air in the cabin usually flows from the ceiling to the floor, not front to back, so viruses and bacteria usually do not circulate.

Study the history of plane crashes

It may seem strange, but in fact the method is effective. Armed with knowledge of past aviation incidents, you can feel more at ease when flying. Watch movies that tell the audience about plane crashes, because they usually tell you what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how the industry changed to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

You can also watch videos of all the tests that planes must go through before they can be cleared to fly, from stress tests that show how much the wings can bend to extreme flight tests that push the plane's limits.

Rely on the flight attendants

Flight attendants monitor your health during the flight. They know how to deal with fainting, hyperventilation and a list of various health incidents that can happen on a plane. Stewards and flight attendants are also aviation safety experts: airlines require flight attendants to undergo in-person training once a year – and this is supplemented by regular online training.

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Take a lesson in flying an airplane

Often people aren't actually afraid of flying, they're afraid of what they don't know. A flight lesson will help overcome the unknown - if not on a real plane, then at least on a simulator. This way, when you board your next flight as a passenger, you'll have a complete understanding of how the plane works.

Choose the right place

Depending on what exactly scares you, choosing the right place will help avoid the trigger: if you are afraid of heights, stay away from windows. But if you need to always know what's going on, sit by the porthole. Aisle seats may be suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia.

Look for something to distract you

Some people, while watching a good movie or listening to a podcast, can forget that they are on a plane altogether. Therefore, try to find an interesting activity that will divert your attention from anxiety.

Travel with a reliable companion

It is better to go to meet your fear together with a reliable companion. Be honest, talk about your feelings, and share anything you think will help you get rid of your phobia.

See a therapist

If your fear is truly paralyzing, you're probably better off seeking professional help. Together with a psychologist, you can overcome it with the help of therapy. In severe cases, doctors prescribe anti-anxiety medication.

Fly anyway

The surest way to fight a phobia is to experience what scares you. Come into contact with the stimulus that causes fear and challenge your exaggerated, irrational ideas about it. Avoidance, on the other hand, only exacerbates fears. So, if you really want to overcome your fear of flying, the best thing you can do for yourself is get on a plane. Start small with a very short flight, then gradually move to longer ones.

The plane is the fastest and most convenient way to travel, so we hope that our tips will help you overcome your fear and very soon you will be able to go on a fantastic trip and discover this interesting world for yourself.

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