Do you have a fear of flying? Read 8 tips to help overcome that fear

I have this irrational fear of flying which I don't understand. My Mum was a Air Hostess for almost 30 years and as a result, we got to fly all over the world with her and take some pretty amazing holidays.

My fear began on a trip home from New York in 2004. I woke up to the plane shaking through a turbulent area and looked out the window and saw nothing but dark grey, aggressive looking clouds. I took a panic attack and that was that.

It has definitely improved with time as I have taken so many flights over the past few years. When you decide to live in Australia and have to go home every now and again, you have no choice but to fly there. Denver is totally aghast with how fraught I become. If there is any sort of tremor or turbulence I start to break out in a small sweat and nearly cut off the circulation of Denver's hand as I am gripping it so hard.

I wish this was me exaggerating however unfortunately not. Below are some of the tips to help you if you are in the same boat, well plane as me!

1. Learn a bit more about the workings of a plane

One of my close friends had the same fear as me up until a couple of years ago. As she became a fashion buyer this would mean a lot of travelling for her, around the world on buying and sourcing trips. She got in touch with a pilot friend of hers and asked him to give her any enlightenment to help her have a more relaxed plane journey. It can be a comfort to know the basics.

1. Turbulence is down to the weather but the moving and rocking from side to side is the planes way of correcting itself. It may feel like the plane is drastically dropping many feet however it is only slightly rising or falling

2. If an engine fails, you will not plummet to the ground. There is always a second one and if by rare chance this also fails, at cruising altitude there is 70 miles of gliding capability before it has to land

3. All bad weather will be avoided where possible. Pilots don't tend to head straight for a massive storm if there is another route they can take. Radar is used to detect big clouds and routes are planned accordingly

2. Sit at the Front of the Plane

I am sure you are already aware that the front of the plane is the most comfortable place to sit in. You are less likely to feel bumps and thumps sitting up as close to the cockpit as possible. Remember to check in online as soon as it opens so you can pick your own seat if you have not done so already when purchasing your ticket. If you do not manage this then ask the ground staff who check you in if there are any seats available near the front, explaining your fear. They can be very understanding and accommodating with these situations.

Also think about whether you prefer aisle, middle or window seating. I am a fan of the aisle as I don't really enjoy looking out the window and I can get up to go to the bathroom without disturbing anyone.

3. Busy yourself with plenty of things to do

I love to get a puzzle book before I set off. This helps my mind to focus on something else and puzzles are a good way of doing that. If puzzles aren't your thing, buy a book, downloads your favourite series or finish that report for work. Any distraction can take your mind off your fear so make sure it is something that will take up lots of your time if needs be.

4. Pack some comfort essentials

I have almost perfected packing my hand luggage so I have everything I need for a long flight. The below is what I bring on board that makes me feel more comfortable and relaxed:

Leggings/loose trousers - I don't know how anyone sits in jeans for a long haul flight. Change in to comfy trousers

Hoodie/jumper - It can get quite chilly on the plane and sometimes the blanket they provide is not an effective insulator. Bring a hoodie to pop on when you do get cold. It will help to warm you which in turn relaxes you

Pair of thick socks - these can help with circulation as well as creating a comfy foot feeling

Make up/baby wipes - I like to remove all of my make up and have a clean face

Moisturiser/hand cream - It is always a good idea to keep your skin hydrated throughout the flight. Have some travel sized creams to apply

Travel toothbrush/toothpaste - I love to brush my teeth after the meal. It can help make you feel a little bit more refreshed and prepared for sleep

Kindle/book - It is always a good idea to have a book for a long journey. Sometimes watching movies can keep your mind stimulated however a book can relax it and encourage sleep

5. Medicate

I am not a massive fan of taking medication. If I have a headache I struggle through, a cold I use natural essences however with flying I am not opposed to taking something to help with sleep. Blackmore's Sleep Sound is really effective as a more natural sleeping aid while if this does not work for you, try something a little more stronger such as Restavit sleeping tablets (contact your GP first to see if these are suitable for you).

Blackmore's Sleep Sound

Restavit

6. Listen to relaxing music

Whatever your go to music is that you know relaxes you, listen to it. This can be a great way to block out the goings on around you. Some of the airlines have a great relaxation or classic soundtrack however always have your own playlist downloaded as a backup just in case you can't find the right tracks for you.

Bring your own headphones as I am sure they will be more comfortable than the ones provided by the airline. Denver has the 'Bose' headphones which are a hefty price but he swears by them as they have the softest padding for the ears and also feature a noise cancelling function. RRP $349.95 (USD)

7. Massage your Pressure Points

It has been said that if you feel stressed or anxious that doing something as simple as massaging your pressure points can be a great benefit in relaxation. Key areas that you can get your travel companion to rub are the neck and shoulders and the palms of your hands. If you are travelling on your own you can also pin point these areas with your thumbs.

8. Avoid Alcohol and Fizzy Drinks

As alcohol and fizzy drinks have high sugar content and can be quite dehydrating, these are not recommended to people who have a fear of flying. There can be nothing worse than suffering from a headache or not being able to get to sleep on a flight causing undue anxiety. These are the effects that consuming drinks of this kind will have, therefore stick to water and drinks lots of it.

Airlines seem to be getting savvy at monitoring peoples intake of alcohol and I have seen some hostesses/stewards cutting people off who have had up to 3 glasses of beer, spirits or wine. The cabin pressure can make people feel more intoxicated than they would be on the ground so it is fully understandable.

With all of that in mind, I hope that you can find some useful tips to help with your fear. Always try and remember a plane is the safest form of transport there is, so just think of how relaxed you are getting in to a bus or train or car when someone else is in control and translate it into flying too. The pilots are fully qualified and the technology is so great today that it is very rare for something to happen. It is also good to note that 1 in 10 people suffer with the same fear so don't feel like it is just you.

#flying #tipstoovercomefear