How to deal with flight anxiety? 5 tips from a psychologist

It feels dreamy to be on the top of clouds and fly off to your most sought-after destination. Being 40,000 feet above in the sky, sharing seats with strangers, small babies fussing over petty things, and you look outside of your window to feel amazed at the high altitude. Nothing could feel more natural and mesmerizing than this. However, sooner or later, your excitement can turn into anxiety, when you realize you’ll be above in the sky in a closed box for hours to come. It is natural to feel a little anxious when you are deviating from your usual routine. But, if that anxiety continues, it can ruin your travel experience and make you miss out on making some most amazing flight memories.

HealthShots got in touch with clinical psychologist Dr Kamna Chhibber to understand ways in which one can learn how to overcome flight anxiety.

Tips to deal with flight anxiety

Travelling can make you feel nervous, and boarding a flight can add to it. However, our expert shares some tips to help everyone battle flight anxiety or a fear of flying, also known as aerophobia.

1. Check your thoughts and work on them

The expert says, “Work on the thought process by recognizing the disproportionate anxiousness you are experiencing on account of the situation.”
Anxiety happens when our mind travels to a future or past scenario that feels threatening to us, making our body and mind uneasy. When we become aware of the fact that we are not our mind, we stop giving in to those negative thoughts, our consciousness becomes mindful, and we become free from the thoughts in our mind. Do some breathing exercises for anxiety.

2. Remember all your successful previous flight travels

When negativity envelops us, it is easy to feel weak in its face. While sitting on a flight, tons of thoughts can cross our minds about things that can go wrong. However, if you shift your focus to remembering all your previous successful travels, you will start feeling more empowered and confident, and you will start looking forward to another flight visit. “Remind yourself of all the times you had successfully been on flights and comfortably completed your trips,” says the expert.

Also read: Anxiety may cause numbness or tingling sensation! Read 3 reasons why

3. Become aware of the exaggeration going on in your mind

Your mind tends to brag about scenarios and things making you feel all the more restless. Take cognisance of the fact that there is an exaggeration that is happening which is causing you to feel something terrible will happen. Don’t let your thoughts or feelings go out of a spiral. Get your thoughts and mind under control and enjoy where you are at that moment.

4. Seek support when needed

If you think you are someone who can feel triggered due to flight anxiety, you make seek support from your friends or family members to give you reminders about the anxiousness being disproportionate to the situation. Bear in mind the fact that avoidance would usually increase anxiety.

5. Consult an expert if needed

If anxiety continues to escalate for a long period, you may contemplate consulting an expert. An expert will reckon professional ways to deal with the underlying issue and will teach you various coping mechanisms to start feeling better and understand the problem.