Do You Have a Fear of Flying? Here Are Some Tips to Help.

In the past traveling by air was considered as a luxury; most people enjoyed the experience of air flight appreciating the expediency and simplicity. Over the past few years air travel is anything but, with increasing fares and new security procedures, air travel has become a hassle filled with tension and normally unperturbed passengers are now anxious. Air travel has become synonymous with stress but the majority of passengers do not experience the extreme panic and dread as those who suffer from an overwhelming fear of flying.

The extreme fear of flying is known as Aviophobia or Aviatophobia; it is estimated between 10-15% of American adults suffer from this anxiety disorder. Aviophobia can be further provoked by anthropophobia (fear of people)or claustrophobia (fear of small spaces). If you suffer from Aviophobia you can experience symptoms such as chest pains, sensation of breathlessness, cold flushes or migraines.

To overcome the fear of flying you will need the right self-help program. The Best Anxiety Review Table contains a list of popular self-help techniques broken down by features into an easy to compare tool.

Until you are able to research the best cure for you here are some quick fear of flying tips to get through your next flight:

1. - You Are Safe: When you study the statistics involved with air travel you will see flying is a safe form of transportation; you are more likely to be in a traffic accident than a flying accident. There are different agencies focused on the safety of air travel for example in the US air safety is governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the UN managed International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These agencies are tasked with maintaining standards of all employees, airlines and airport standards; reading their mission statements it is their priority to make air travel the most safe form of transportation focusing on their comprehensive goal to enable travelers to arrive at their destinations safe and sound. Keeping this in mind is essential for flying without fear.

2. - Avoid Stimulants: Any form of caffeine (soda, coffee, green tea) will not help you embrace flying without fear, in fact the caffeine will actually make you worse. Caffeine is a stimulant which can increase your heart rate, cause cold flushes or your could experience migraines – do these symptoms sound familiar? They should because are the exact symptoms of a panic attack which is what you are trying to avoid; stick with water to keep you hydrated in the low humidity of an air cabin.

3. - Focus on the Positive: Focusing on positive thoughts will help you overcome the fear of flying. Remind yourself why you are embarking on this journey; are you visiting relatives? Or are you going on holiday? Or are you traveling for work? Regardless the reason make a mental list of why you are traveling and focus on those aspects of the journey. Reminding yourself why you are there will help keep you focused on the positive.

4. - Listen to Music: Music has a wonderful calming effect on anxiety sufferers. You can use upbeat, happy music to keep you smiling and even singing (to yourself), or you can use music to help you focus on breathing and imagery exercises. Whatever music you indulge in make sure it is music you love.

5. - Seat Position: If you suffer from aviophobia and/or the fear of heights (acrophobia) you will probably not enjoy sitting next to a window speak with an airline attendant before your flight so you can make arrangements.

These are just a few fear of flying tips, hopefully they will help you on your next journey. If you intend to travel more frequently by air you will want to investigate a more permanent solution. To address and overcome the fear of flying will provide you with confidence and ease; the right program is out there it will just require a little time and patience but the results will be a much happier and enjoyable flying experience.