4 tips for dealing better with fear of flying

Picture this: you want to discover the world. But you’re paralyzed if you think about the long flight you'll have to endure. How to survive?! Because it's hard to imagine that you'll leave the plane as unharmed as you have boarded it. Fear of flying is what it’s called. It’s expressed in trembling, hyperventilation or even heart palpitations. And above all: you can't control it. Or at least not completely. With these tips you might get an idea of what it is and how you can deal with it. After all, you can pass on fear of flying. Where children often do things fearlessly, they trust their parents' instincts blindly. That is why it is important to keep your own emotions under control.

1. PREPARATION

Fear of flying is most often associated with acute stress during take-off and landing. Therefore, choose direct flights over flights with a stopover to control your stress level during the period you are on the plane.

Also try to find out in advance what you can expect so that you are not faced with any surprises. Talk to friends and family and ask about their experiences. This way you can organize your flight better. Predictability gives peace. This also applies to children who are struggling with nerves.

If the feeling prevails that you have little control over the whole thing, it can help to inform you about the technical side of flying. Why is it that an airplane can fly? What is the ratio of airplane accidents to car accidents in percentage terms? What is turbulence and is it dangerous?

2. ANTI-STRESS

Alcohol can make you feel numb. Maybe that way you think you can fly in a more relaxed way and you even gets you started before you get on the plane. However, sobriety occurs more quickly than you might have hoped and during that process, your feelings of anxiety may reappear. We don't think it's wise to drink while traveling (especially with children), but to our surprise this tip is often given to people with a fear of flying.

Try to make every aspect of your trip as stress-free as possible. Make sure you'd rather be a little too early than too late everywhere. Stress encourages fear (which may not surprise you). An overdose of caffeine is also a bad thing for mental peace. So don't exaggerate with that coffee. It's certainly not wrong to take a sedative beforehand – be aware that this takes away your stress, but not your fear. Although it can help to control your emotions.

3. DISTRACTION

You can control your nervousness by means of breathing exercises. It relaxes the muscles and reduces stress. This video can help you understand how breathing works. Once you are on board and you have your breathing under control, you can look for distractions. Read a book, watch a movie or play a game with the kids: anything that prevents you from thinking about the situation you are in.

4. TALK ABOUT IT

Don't be ashamed that you're afraid to fly. The fact that the term fear of flying exists means that there are many people who struggle with it. Be open and honest with your travel group and possibly even with the flight crew. They will reassure you if there is turbulence, for example. Flight personnel are also trained to give the right information in case of fear of flying among the passengers. They know better than anyone how to reassure you.

Fear of flying is an odd thing; you have it or you don't have it and it manifests itself in the most crazy ways. To say: Ludovic (who takes the plane several times a year) feels uncomfortable with turbulence every time we are in the air, but thunder and lightning during take-off or landing have no effect. Why that is? Can't explain.