Happy & Healthy
OH MY GOD, FLIGHT ANXIETY
9x this is what you do about it
With the greatest ease, I stepped into the airplane laughing. Always. N’est pas de problème. Until it went wrong during a flight to Los Angeles. My best friend and I had something to celebrate and ordered a glass of bubbles. Later, a small airplane bottle of white wine came along, and within no time, the stewardess also brought us a Baileys-like brew from the house. We chatted, we drank, it was a party. And suddenly, I didn’t feel well. A case of panic attack. Then I stood up and sat in the back of the plane, pale for FIVE hours.
The result of this terror ride? Flight anxiety for life. Every time I see that steel ship with wings standing there, I have to swallow. I want to turn around. Run away from my potential death. And then I endlessly repeat in my head: “Do you really want to miss this stupid feeling the coolest experiences of your life ?” Then I don’t want to be a wuss and I go anyway, and afterwards I find it really badass that I have overcome my fear again.
Do you also board the plane with clenched buttocks? Or not at all on long trips because you are a panic flyer? 9 tips to solve it.
1. Start counting
Tip from a real flight anxiety coach. Quickly count in your head from 1 to 8, with the eight sounding higher than the 1 to 7. Then take a second to rest and say the 9, in a low tone. Do this about four or five times. This may sound silly, but the big advantage is that some residual air immediately leaves your body, which reduces your hyperventilation, if you have that.
“Look at the children around you while flying and try to go along with that carefree ‘flow’”
2. Look at children
Always helps me. Most children don’t know real fear of flying, fear, because they simply aren’t aware of the exact situation they are in and also have no sense of height or claustrophobic tightness. They find it incredibly cool and exciting. Look at the children around you while flying and try to go along with that carefree ‘flow’.
3. Keep thinking realistically
Remember that turbulence is a comfort issue, NOT a safety issue. Airplanes are designed to withstand the most severe forms of turbulence.
4. Complete your own flight checklist for less stress
– Pack your things well in advance and keep your passport on your body.
– Go to Schiphol on time.
– Don’t drink caffeine beforehand, but extra water.
– Also don’t drink alcohol (I repeat: no Baileys-like brews).
“To tackle the problem right away and hopefully be rid of it for good”
– Find distraction in the form of a book or movie (during my last flight to Venice I played Rummikub on the iPad like an idiot for two hours. It worked too, just saying).
– Greet the crew when boarding and tell the stewardess that flying is not really your hobby. Bet that you will be treated extra kindly throughout the flight?
5. Do breathing exercises
Got stressed on board? Your adrenaline level needs to go down and this can be done with this exercise: 1. Breathe slowly, fully in and try to ‘inflate’ your belly as much as possible. 2. Hold the air for a few seconds and breathe out slowly as far as possible through your mouth, with your lips slightly together, so that you feel some resistance. 3. Wait a few seconds and breathe in again slowly, deeply, and as low as possible. 4. Repeat this until the adrenaline flow decreases. Really, it works.
6. Make the fear ridiculous
If the breathing exercises didn’t work and you still feel fear coming up? Then use reverse psychology and embrace it. Make it ridiculous: “So Kiek, there you go again, nice clammy hands and panic? Go ahead and rage for half an hour, silly. Then you can act normal again.” Say this to yourself and your fear will find it no fun anymore, bet?
“Don’t avoid it by taking the car or train whenever possible”
7. Tackle it for good? Take a flight anxiety training
I am currently exploring the possibilities of flight anxiety training. To tackle the problem right away and hopefully be rid of it for good. Well-reviewed flight anxiety courses include the VALK flight anxiety course, the Transavia flight anxiety course, the Corendon label OnbezorgdVliegen, and the Fearfighters flight anxiety course.
8. Or take a course from home
If you’re not a fan of group training, this is an excellent alternative. This way, you can calmly and at your own pace get rid of your flight anxiety in a safe setting at home. There are plenty of courses available online.
9. Finally: keep flying
Perhaps the most important. Don’t avoid it by taking the car or train whenever possible. Try to make as many flight hours as possible because really, in the end, the fear decreases. And you might even end up liking it.
So, I’m now heading to Iceland and then Chicago for Amayzine. Where I will of course tell you everything later. Wish me luck. Help.
