For many, travelling by plane is a true joy, knowing they’ll arrive at some great destination. At the same time, there is a group of people who can’t even manage the stress related to flying. The moment they think about getting onto a plane, their hearts pound, and they even suffer cold sweat. They aren’t to blame, as the fear of flying affects millions of people who miss dream destinations just because they aren’t ready to fly.
Still, understanding what makes you so anxious about flying, as well as finding comfortable transportation solutions, can improve the situation and make you feel better upon arrival. For example, if you need to travel to London, you can hire luxury airport transfers service to help you move through the city without additional stress.
But let’s first explore the reasons and causes of aviophobia so you can know what you’re dealing with.
Understanding Your Fear
The reasons behind the fear of flying can be different. Some people are afraid of heights, others of being trapped in the plane’s body, while some don’t feel comfortable during the turbulence. Once you understand why it happens to you, it may be easier to deal with the stress next time you fly.
Among the common fears, we can include:
- Loss of Control –The feeling of being trapped in a metal tube that flies through the air can trigger a primal fear of losing control.
- Claustrophobia –Tight spaces, like aeroplane cabins, may cause panic attacks even to those who aren’t that afraid of flying.
- Fear of the Unknown – Most travellers aren’t familiar with the mechanics of flight, so that makes them feel anxious, even when there is no reason for that.
- Accident Reports – The media is always full of news about disappeared planes, accidents, crashes, etc. For some people, that’s a huge source of stress and anxiety, so they avoid flying at any cost.
Dealing with this fear is not easy, especially if the person must fly for work or some urgent situation. For example, when travelling from the US to the UK, it’s not just the long flight that causes stress – it’s also the fear of the uncertainty that will happen upon arrival.
All these factors largely contribute to the overall stress and fear. The solution is, if you must travel, to do everything you need to do to ease those symptoms. From using luxury airport transfers in London to booking a comfortable hotel, you’re allowed to do anything that makes you feel better.
Conquering Your Fear
Trying to convince someone to deal with their fears can be exhausting. But the best thing to overcome the fear of flying is ongoing education, frequent travelling, and getting out of your comfort zone.
As a traveller, you’re allowed to visit a therapist or take some medicine to ease the anxiety during the flight. Still, there are additional things to do, including:
- Educate yourself about aeroplane safety features, pilot training, and the rigorous maintenance procedures airlines follow. You can even visit some workshops or group therapy, so the shared experience can make you feel more comfortable with the upcoming trip.
- Gradually expose yourself to flying. If you know you’ll have a long flight in three months, book some short flights in the meantime. Start small with short flights, gradually increasing duration and destination complexity. Reward yourself for each successful journey so you can enjoy the overall experience well.
- Practice some relaxation techniques. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can calm your nervous system and ease anxiety. Use the knowledge during the trip so you’ll manage the stress and fear better.
- Incorporate some distraction tactics so you won’t think about the fear a lot. Download calming music, audiobooks, or movies to your portable device. Engage in in-flight entertainment or focus on writing or journaling.
- Hire a luxury airport transfer service – pre-flight and post-flight. It may be an expense added to your travel budget, but you don’t need to deal with public transport and suspicious taxi services.The comfort these companies provide is undeniable.
Dealing with specific fears requires patience and ongoing work. Never stop fighting against the fear of flying. That way, you won’t ever miss any journey or attractive destination.
Surely, if it doesn’t go as planned, don’t try to push your boundaries. Maybe the next time will be better.
Bonus Tip: Consider partnering with a therapist who can help you with the stress and anxiety caused by travelling. They can provide personalized guidance and recommend effective coping mechanisms.
Conclusion
Overcoming aviophobia is a journey with so many stops in between. Even when travelling to beautiful destinations like London, it requires a lot of planning and dealing with various challenges until you’re ready to fly fear-free.
Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, award yourself with nice things like chauffeur airport transfers in London and lounge experiences, and embrace the liberating feeling of travelling with no fear.
