How to deal with your
FEAR OF FLYING
There was a time when I entered the plane in a state of great horror. It was to such an extreme that I would have to use highly sedative pills to help me get on board as there was no way in hell that I wanted to meet my potential death in a fully conscious condition. That fear of flying started around the age of 10. I lost so much sweat during a flight that I’m seriously surprised that I did not dehydrate. I kind of got over it by the time I was in my 20’s. It was then that I was sent on lots of press trips to London and Paris for my ELLE internship. Yes, by plane. Of course I did not want them to know of my fear, so off I flew shivering and shaking into the air. And now, well now it’s a whole different story. I would even go as far as to say that it is fun to fly. Yes really, totally fine and the longer the flight, the better.
Airports are my hobby, I love that supposedly dirty air and I still get excited by the thought of being able to select a film. But many people find flying terrifying. Which is not surprising as you put your life in someone else’s hands to undertake an activity that is completely and humanly unnatural. But there are little things you can do to make it more enjoyable so you don’t have to be a panic flyer. Read and learn.
Thorough preparations
Fear of flying can be translated into a panic reaction and panic should be restricted where possible by knowing exactly what is happening. It all starts at home, make a packing list, pack your suitcase on time, lay everything out that you need and have a little practice session with your passport. By having everything well prepared you will avoid losing a sense of control and there’ll be no panicky thoughts of “OMG I’ve forgotten this or that”. You can leave your house a lot more calmly.
Be on time
There are types of people who simply ignore the rule that you should be at the airport two hours in advance.This rule should be strictly adhered to by those who are afraid of flying. Suppose there is a traffic jam or an accident, or the train stops, you’ll be sitting there stressing about whether you’re going to catch your flight and this not conducive to the already existing fly panic.
Drink a glass of wine
Maybe not the most sensible advice, but a small glass of wine can help to just take a little edge off and relieve some of the tension. A glass or two, of course.
Do your homework
You do not need to complete a four-year pilot training, but if you have a little know how regarding the the plane and your flight you’ll be a lot more confident. I can remember one flight when a stewardess came to check the wet hands of the children on board. I won that competition and was treated to a visit to the cockpit. So it did have it’s advantages. Even as a kid I found it really interesting and exciting and this helped, the flying experience slowly but surely became more fun.
Try not to feed your fear
In the time that I still found flying petrifying, I could sit for hours and watch a succession of programs such as Seconds From Disasters or Air Crash Investigation on National Geographic. In an hour and a half I had a complete explanation of how one rusty screw could bring a Boeing 747 to the ground. Not very useful, of course. It is a thousand times better for you to create the picture that flying is the safest way to travel and that things rarely go wrong.
Fly frequently
The most important thing is to not avoid flying. Don’t chicken out and always opt to go by car or train. Try to clock up as many flying hours as possible. The more you fly the more you will ultimately get used to it.
