Best strategies in overcoming fear of flying

For a person to learn overcoming fear of flying, he or she must understand what causes that fear being up in the air. This is very important for him or her to know what are the best possible ways to adjust to these fears. Experts say that fear of flying is a "learned fear". It is something that causes people—even those who were once confident travelers—to stop from taking flights via plane to go to places. This phobia is caused by so many factors which hinders people to being up in the air again. 

Studies show that the major reason why people developed fear of flying is their own personal experiences when flying. These bad experiences are the ones that register in their mind whenever they go aboard, thus, causing them to be uncomfortable when they are aboard. The bad experiences when flying may include prolonged turbulence caused by a bad weather. It can also be some mechanical problems that have caused the plane to have an emergency landing. Or it can be a terrifying experience such as a near-death encounter while flying. 

Another reason why many people develop fear of flying is what the experts call "stress contamination." Here, the person who already has high levels of stress develops an anxiety episode, which makes it harder for that person to overcome that fear. At first, some people do not immediately this fear but it develops when they experience more bad encounters during their next flights. 

A news coverage of an air disaster is also another reason why people who are already afraid of flying are having a hard time overcoming that fear. Experts say that it is only common for people to develop fear of flying since it may lead to their death once an accident happens. To some people, they take this possibility into greater a length—that is why they tend to develop fear of flying even if the flight is safe. And this fear only doubles when they see how tragic it is to die during a plane crash or an accident. 

The best way

Although people have valid reasons to be afraid of flying, not riding planes should not be the option. This is because the person mainly allows his or her imagination to get the best or better of him or her. So, if you want to overcome that fear, try these strategies to find out which may work for you. 

Know in yourself what it is really that you are afraid of when flying. It is the thought of you being up in the skies? Or is it the feeling that you are contained in a place where you cannot get out when you want to? Or is it the fear of pressure when you are aboard? Whatever it is, you should know which specifically scares you so you will find a way to adjust to it. If it the thought that you are thousands of feet from the ground, think that it’s like riding a car where you are also suspended from the land in a specific time frame. If you are afraid that you are secluded, request if you can be seated near the emergency exit so you are the first person to eject when an accident happens. If you are afraid of the pressure, think that the cabin is pressurized so you won't be able to feel "pain" of take off. 

