Our Top 10 Fear of Flying Tips

1. Don’t keep your fear of flying a secret. Inform the cabin crew that you tremble at the thought of getting on the plane. Let them all know, the gate agent, the flight attendant or the passengers around you. You won’t be made a monkey out of yourself if you do that.

On the contrary, you may get help and be looked after during your flight. And, if time allows, you may try to meet the crew. Usually, getting acquainted with the crew that holds your life into their hand may be reassuring. You’ll certainly set your mind at rest especially if you find that the plane is flown by a competent and experienced.

2. Turbulence is not a matter of “if” but of “when”. Turbulence is so commonly encountered that you may even consider it similar to bumps in the road. People often misunderstand TURBULENCE. When encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is “falling” out of the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the “down” bumps. But for every “down” there is an “up” bump. Don’t struggle with it, you will only get the wind up and that’s about all.

3. Select a seat at the very front of the cabin. Try to choose your seat when you book the ticket or at least ask for a front seat at check-in. You’ll feel LESS TURBULENT in front of the plane as it is usually much greater in the back of the plane.

4. Divert your attention. Try to forget all about your dreadful fear by keeping your mind occupied. Consider watching a film even though you find it a little boring or it’s the second or even third time you’re watching it. You may also try to read a book or the movie even if it’s bad or you have seen it already. Read a book or do a crossword.

5. Attend a “Conquer Your Fear of Flying Course”. Some of them actually work. It all depends on your STATE OF MIND and how ready you are to take in everything they say. Besides, you’ll be surprised to find out that YOU ARE NOT ALONE in this fear. Not all of them are as expensive as you may think and you’ll get personalized help as well as individual counseling which will focus on what you dread the most in so far as flying is concerned. So, don’t feel guilty or sheepish of your phobia. You’ll note that it is quite common and more run-of-the-mill than you think.

6. Listen to soothing and tranquil music. Smooth sounds will calm you down and your wind will be thus diverted from the otherwise perfectly normal flight noises.

7. Keep away from horrific details. If, let’s say a plane happens to crash around the time you need to fly, try not to exaggerate with the news. Indeed, it is essential to be informed, but too much is really too much in this case. In fact, most of the times, if something goes wrong, the plane lands safely and everyone is fine.

8. Try the rubber band technique. This technique is used for stopping thoughts. If you find yourself drifting into negative thinking, snap the rubber band on your wrist and take your mind off your sinking feeling.

9. Take a deep breath, stop thinking catastrophic thoughts, relax your muscles and remain calm.

10. If you have an acute flying phobia, don’t try to conquer your phobias on a long haul flight. Take the shortest flight you can and try to enjoy it.