5 Secrets to Overcoming Air Travel Fears

When it comes to air travel, you weren’t born to be afraid.

Experts say air travel is the safest form of travel. According to the US Department of Transportation, you are 268% more likely to die in a car accident than in a plane crash. But if you are one of the many terrified of air travel, statistics like this are useless. The fear of flying feels uncontrollable, is surprisingly persistent and sheds a bad light on air travel entirely. So, should you spend the rest of your life avoiding air travel? Do you head to the nearest therapist couch to visualize positive air travel experiences? It depends on how much of a fear of flying you possess. To see if you’re ready to tackle your fear of flying, here are five things to consider when overcoming air travel fears.

Feeling Out of Control

Airlines are expensive to run, and even more expensive to insure. So when it comes to choosing which pilots to employ, air travel companies do not take chances. Commercial pilot training is extensive, requires thousands of hours of flight time and multiple air travel certifications. Many commercial pilots get their air travel training from the military, which is even more stringent than civilian training by far. Pilot training includes extensive disaster aversion and preparedness techniques, which are designed to prepare air travel pilots for the unexpected.

When it’s time for air travel, remind yourself that your pilot is more than qualified to fly the airplane safely. If you’re going to give up control to anyone, your best bet is the pilot and the outstanding air travel training they possess.

Risk = Opportunity

Truth be told, there is a nominal amount of risk in everything we do. But, for every risk there is an opportunity to be found. Perhaps your fear of flying has held you back from that promotion at work. Maybe you’re just missing out on important life events because it requires air travel. Whatever the reasons, ask yourself if taking the risk of flying is worth the opportunity you would get out of it? If your answer to air travel remains no, think about what if an emergency comes up. Are you willing to endure air travel to be by an injured loved one’s side? If the answer is yes, consider taking shorter flights to get used to the air travel experience. This way you won’t be left powerless should an emergency requiring air travel come up. Plus, you just might surprise yourself by gaining the upper hand over your fear of flying.

Pep Talks

If you’re motivated to overcome your fear of flying, you will only see true success if you engage in positive self motivation. This means air travel pep talks, and lots of them. Start by writing down your goals in overcoming air travel fears, and how you plan to do it. Take the time to visualize yourself facing your fear of flying and succeeding. This will help you put a mental picture to what you want to accomplish, and give you a positive visual you can come back to when you start to feel stress about air travel. Coach yourself throughout each air travel experience with positive messages. Even if it feels untrue at first, eventually you can train your mind into believing, then knowing that everything is going to be fine.

Relax

This is especially good for people who have a fear of flying, but power through their air travel experience with clenched fists. When you start to feel your stress level rise concerning air travel, get into a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing. Close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply through your nose. Relax all of your muscles, let your tongue fall away from the roof of your mouth and breathe as deep and slow as possible. Let go of tension with each exhale. Now is a good time to recite those air travel pep talks mentioned earlier. This is a good technique to use anytime you feel excess stress in response to air travel, or any other stressful situation.

Unlearn

Fear of flying is usually centered on the potential of an air travel accident, not what is actually going on during the flight. It is here when stress levels rise, you begin to obsess on the thought of “what could happen” and create panicky breathing, behavior and more. The bottom line is that you were not born afraid of air travel; you learned to be afraid of it. And the good news is you can unlearn your fear of flying.

There are many resources to help those with an inherent fear of flying, as well as support groups for people who have survived an air travel accident. If the fear of air travel feels insurmountable, consult a local psychologist for a specific treatment plan tailored to your needs.