Natural Treatments To Calm Your Fear of Flying
Fear of flying, or aviophobia, is one of the most common phobias out there. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 2.5% to 6.5% of the US population suffers from it, with many more feeling a sense of fear and apprehension that doesn’t quite reach phobia level. While there are pharmacological treatments available to help deal with the anxiety that comes with flying, Valium and Xanax being most common, many prefer natural methods to deal with their fear. Below we’ve collected a few options for those who dread taking to the skies.
Facing The Fear
This may sound a bit simplistic, but exposure to what scares you can build reliance and understanding of the issue. One technique employed by psychologists today is called controlled exposure. Firstly you must find a trained therapist you feel comfortable with. Normally they’ll begin by teaching you some breathing techniques and anxiety management exercises. They’ll also help you identify when your irrational fear is starting to take control. In the past, this would progress to a level where your therapist may even accompany you on a real flight, but thanks to modern-day technology, a realistic flying simulation can be used. Studies have found that controlled exposure is an effective treatment helping many to rid themselves of the crippling fear of flying or diminishing it significantly.
Book A Fear-of-flying Course
You’d be surprised to learn how many global airlines offer a fear-of-flying course. Created specifically for those who can’t imagine using their services, fear-of-flying courses have experienced pilots talking you through the technical side of aviation as well as common misconceptions and common fears. Psychologists will often also partake, teaching you through how fear works, how it affects the body, and how best to fight it. Days conclude with an actual short-term flight, commonly under an hour, with a full crew there to assist and with the captain talking the passengers through each stage of the flight process. This hands-on approach with constant information has been found to be very valuable.
Hypnotherapy
While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is usually seen as the first-line treatment over hypnotherapy, many open to alternative methods have found hypnotherapy a relaxing manner to tackle their phobia. Its aim is to change thoughts and attitudes towards flying, helping the unconscious mind deal with anxiety and fear. By helping you become a calmer thinker, the patient can feel more empowered and thus more able to deal with their phobia. Much like the fear-of-flying courses, a hypnotherapist will often highlight the various safety features within flying, allowing information on modern aviation to increase your sense of safety.
Planning A Trip
By taking the plunge (and expense) of booking a trip, many feel like the first hurdle of tackling their phobia has been jumped. Choosing your preferred seat, time, and destination gives the sufferer a sense of power. This, coupled with research into the mechanics of flying, safety statistics, and conversations with friends, can be surprisingly effective.
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