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