Are you afraid of flying? The fun fact: over 21 million Britons are scared of flying, and engine failure as their nightmarish danger. A large section of the population has flying anxiety; some have first-time jitters, while others had a bad experience, such as turbulence, which still scares them before taking a flight.
Do you find yourself in any of these categories? Don't you fuss too much, as here in this article, we've come up with seven proven tactics that will help you stay calm while flying.
- Have the Right Knowledge
Lack of knowledge is the mother of all fears. So, the first big step you got to take to overcome your flying anxiety is to enrol in an online fear flying course. Such a program will educate you on various aspects that suggest air travel is the safest mode.
They'll help you conquer your fear of turbulence by busting all the popular myths you probably believe. Moreover, you can ask as many questions to clear your concerns.
- Booking the Seats on the Wing
If you earlier had faced turbulence or heard a lot about it from your friends, those who are frequent travellers, then grab a seat on the wing.
It is the most stable part of a plane; therefore, turbulence felt here is less severe. Also, the flight attendants have a turbulence warning, just follow their instructions to get through it without any discomfort.
- The Early Bird Tend to Stay Calm
If you're anxious about your first flight, arrive at the airport early. The early you arrive, the more time you'll have to gather your thoughts and relax your mind before boarding the plane.
Running late will only add to your stress and exert more mental pressure.
- Find a Buddy
Sometimes, the best way to manage your flight anxiety, and pass the take off time is by starting a conversation with fellow passengers. If your seatmate seems friendly and open to conversing; then, you can shift focus from the phobia you have in mind and talk about sports, politics, or anything in common.
- Start Reading
Whether it's a fashion magazine or a novel you've found on the plane, read it to divert all your attention off the flight. It is possibly the best time to read a book you have longed to read without anyone disturbing you.
- Breathe slowly & deeply
Once you're on board, sit or recline comfortably, take deep breaths, and then slow it. Concentrate on your breathing, or you can count your breath to calm anxiety that is causing chills down the spine.
- Music Helps
Music isn't a bad option; Piano Man by Billy Joel will soothe your mind and soul. Moreover, noise-cancelling headphones can help you ignore all the plane noises, which trigger anxiety or panic attacks. You can even play your favourite game, and time will fly away like crazy.
In the end, learn from the flight experience of your known, take their advice on how to be calm while flying. Moreover, your first air trip is the biggest teacher, and you'll learn from it to become more confident the next time.
