I’ll be honest – I’m terrified of flying. So much that I didn’t actually get on a plane until I was 24. In fact, it would appear that I’m not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 6.5% of the population suffer with the same fear. To put it another way, over 20 million of us! Unfortunately, being scared of flying can often limit us in terms of travel options when it comes to travel for holidays and work purposes. So what can we do to help ease this anxiety? I’ve put together my list of tips that I’ve found to be useful in calming my nerves when I fly, and hopefully, you will too

Get to the Root of Your Anxiety

We’re all different in terms of the specifics when it comes to a fear of flying. However, it’s important to pinpoint exactly what it is that’s causing your fear. Of course, there may be a number of reasons, and that’s okay. The aim is by identifying what’s causing you to be scared of flying, you can take measures to combat that fear directly.

Educate Yourself

While there’s nothing worse than feeding your anxiety by reading horrible stories online, doing some proper, informed research can actually be quite helpful. For example, if your main fear is turbulence, look into exactly why it happens and what causes it. Knowing the complete ins and outs of the aircraft may be a little far fetched, but just learning a few basics on safety features of the plane could help calm your nerves. Of course it goes without saying to make sure that you take your research from good sources too! If you’re not sure where to look, a lot of airlines have specific pages on their website to help customers with a fear of flying, and you can also read articles such as this one which will give you a few reassuring facts.

Book an Aisle Seat

If you don’t do well with confined spaces full stop, let alone on a plane, booking an aisle seat is one way to lessen that pesky anxiety. Having an aisle seat generally helps me feel less trapped and I have more to look at (albeit not much!) as opposed to just the back of someone’s seat. Yes there’s still a few negatives to having an aisle seat, such as having to get up every time a fellow passenger wants to use the toilet, but it’s all about weighing up your options, and it goes back to my first point of identifying what you’re most anxious about.

Preparation is Key

Preparing for your flight well in advance is a must if you’re terrified of flying. Educate yourself on the basics such as your baggage allowance, what time you need to arrive at the airport, and you can even take a few extra measures to save yourself some anxiety. Simple things such as arranging your transport beforehand can work wonders. I personally like to get my own way to the airport, because when I’m feeling anxious, the last thing I want is to be relying on public transport. If this is you, you can even pre-book your airport parking in advance so that you don’t pay any hefty parking charges. If you struggle with busy spaces and crowds of people, it may also be worth considering booking an airport lounge, just so you can enjoy a more relaxed environment before you head off.

Think Positive

It goes without saying that negative thinking will make your anxiety worse. Of course, telling someone to think positive is easier said than done, but if you commit enough time to it, it’ll work wonders. Think about all the fun you’ll have on your holiday, think about how proud of yourself you’ll be when you step off the plane at your destination, whatever works for you! This article is also packed with some great practical tips on keeping calm during your travels too if you need a little support.

Learn a Few Anxiety Management Techniques

If there’s ever a time to learn a few coping strategies, this is it. There’s a whole array of techniques out there that you can use to help ease anxiety, so it may take a while to find one that works for you. Whether it’s breathing exercises or distraction techniques, practice them well before you head off on your trip so you know exactly what to do should you start to panic.

Meditation

Meditation is a great way to reduce anxiety, and it also can give you something to focus on rather than the panic you feel. There’s plenty of resources out there that you can use too, especially if you’re not sure where to start. You can download apps such as Headspace or Calm, which have guided meditation exercises that are perfect for those who are new to the technique. Alternatively, there’s plenty of videos on YouTube that will talk you through simple exercises.

Don’t Hide It

If you feel you can, it’s a really useful idea to tell your travel companions about your fear of flying. Whether it’s your family, your partner, your friends or your colleagues, opening up about your fears will make your them aware that you’re struggling and they’ll be able to support you. Of course you don’t have to go into heaps of detail, just a simple “I’m not great with flying” is just enough to get the conversation started. You could even tell the cabin crew once you’re on board the plane – they will have seen their fair share of nervous flyers and they’ll more than likely have a few tips for you. You never know, you may even get a little special treatment!

Avoid Caffeine

While most of us are useless without our morning coffee, hyping yourself up on caffeine may not be the best idea before your flight. The same goes for having an alcoholic drink before you board too! We all know that caffeine and alcohol can increase anxiety, so it’s best to avoid them if you can. My favourite thing to drink before a flight? Peppermint tea – less caffeine and it also helps to soothe a nervous stomach!

Keep Busy

The final thing is to keep yourself occupied. Bring plenty to do/watch/read during your flight and you’ll soon feel the time – excuse the pun – fly by. Bring a book or a couple of magazines, have a movie or a few episodes of your favourite show downloaded onto your phone or make a playlist of your favourite music. Or if you enjoy a bit of variety, all of the above! Just remember to go for non-triggering topics – personally, I think this sort of thing is what Friends on Netflix is for!