Fear Of Flying | PreEmptive Healing

Monday, March 15th, 2010

A person’s manifestation of fear of flying varies in a number of ways. If we draw a line to illustrate fear of flying, we would see that at one end are people who can actually fly but carry some form of discomfort during the flight. On the other end would be those with fear so extreme that they try to avoid flying by all means. Somewhere in the middle are the people that will only fly if they have no other choice.

Those with a mild case of fear of flying don’t necessary have flying phobia. They would usually just feel uneasy by certain scenarios though out the fight like when the door closes, during takeoff or when there’s turbulence. These feelings are experienced even by the most seasoned flyers.

There are people who are called “White Knuckle Flyers.” These people travel only when they have to and usually go through some type of an ordeal to get through their plane journey. These are the people in the middle of the fear of flying spectrum.

At the far end of the spectrum are those who have flying phobia, people who don’t fly no matter what. They are those people who are willing to gave up a lot just to avoid flying. The quality of their lives is greatly affected by their fear.

Whether you have a mild case or a full blast fear of flying, help is available. One option would be to seek assistance from a professional. There are also other ways to overcome your fear of flying such as:

Taking airline courses. For some individuals, it is the fear of the unknown that is preventing them from flying. Educating yourself on how an airplane works and how safe it is to travel by air can lessen fear and anxiety.
Joining counseling and group programs. Talking about your fear with someone or a group of people who knows what you’re going through can be another way to lessen your fear of flying.
Learning some relaxation methods. Through relaxation, you’ll be able to manage your fear and anxiety. If you are more relax, you’ll also have less negative thought that causes you to be scared of flying. Our blog contains multiple articles on the subject and PreEmptive Healing has a Fear of Flying audio available to help you condition your mind and reduce your fear and anxiety.
Hypnosis. This method helps a person overcome his fear of flying through the power of the mind. Performed by a trained hypnotherapist, this can be an effective method for people willing to follow their direction. Our “Fear of Flying – A Guided Meditation audio product was developed by myself, Dr. Anthony DeMarco and a trained hypnotherapist.

Additional Tips for Reduce Flying Anxiety

Be honest about your fear of flying. Let the flight attendant know. They are the people who’ll be able to help you feel more comfortable during the flight.
If it’s the turbulence that causes you to panic, try finding a seat at the front of the plane. Turbulence is less in the front than at the back of the plane.
Distract your mind from thinking about your flight by reading a book, listening to music, watching a movie or answering some crosswords.
Avoid drinking coffee or anything with caffeine. Caffeine will only aggravate your anxiety. But do drink other liquids to avoid dehydration. Dehydration can only add to your anxiety and fear.
Bring a music player with headphones. This can help you relax during the flight. If you bought our fear of flying audio, we recommend you listen to it throughout your flight.
People who are afraid of flying would often stress about the flight weeks, even month before the actual trip. As soon as you find out that you’ll be flying, start conditioning your mind and manage your fear of flying.
Visit our product page and listen to the audio samplers and purchase Fear of Flying – A Guided Meditation.

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“Manage Your Fear of Flying on an Airplane”

Friday, March 5th, 2010

It is estimated that as much as 20% of the population suffers from some form of aerophobia or fear of flying. A Newsweek Magazine survey in 1999 revealed that 50% of people who flew on commercial airlines were frightened, at least, partly. It is an irrational fear that can prevent people from career advancement, keeping in touch with friends and family, and traveling.

Extensive research on commercial flight safety reveals that the death risk per flight is only one in 7 million. Based on this, if you fly on a daily basis, it would take 19,000 years before you encounter a fatal accident. In fact, flying is ten times safer compared to a trip by train, which is generally viewed as one of the safest mode of travel. There is a greater chance of dying from being stung by a bee, one in 5.5 million, compared to flying.

However, all the statistics about the safety of flying seem to be of little value since the fear has nothing to do, at all, with the risks associated with flying. It is an anxiety disorder that results from the simple awareness that life is fragile and vulnerable. It is a fear that can have several components, including the fear of heights, the fear of being over water, the fear of the dark, the fear of the unknown, undue concerns about accidents or deliberate attacks, claustrophobia or fear of enclosed spaces, of being idle for extended periods of time, the loss of personal freedom, concerns about turbulence and weather conditions, unawareness of the normal activities during a flight, the loss of control and of being dependent on technology or other people, as well as some underlying issues from past psychological or physical trauma.

People react to aerophobia in a variety of ways. Some will avoid flying entirely and go to great lengths to arrange their personal and professional lives to avoid it. Other reactions include sweating, rapid heartbeat and breathing, and nausea. Others will use drugs or alcohol to deal with it or become abusive to other people.

What Can You Do If You Are Afraid of Flying?

A number of the major airlines, realizing that this fear can affect their business, offer courses that are designed to help overcome the fear of flying.

These are normally day-long workshop where crew members explain the mechanics of flying, such as the noises the aircraft makes and the reasons for them. This technique is called cognitive behavioral therapy.

It is also possible to practice a number of self-help techniques, including breathing exercises or meditation. This can be done both before and during the flight. Some people find that visualization, imagining themselves on the plane, with the sounds and sights that scares them, can help them cope better with their fears prior to an actual flight.

When preparing for a trip, it is also helpful to bring a travel bag full of books, magazines, CD player and other items that can help distract you while waiting to board the plane.

Eating a filling and nutritious meal can help you sleep on the flight. This will help you feel better upon arriving at your destination

Avoid sugary snacks, tea, coffee, or other caffeine-filled drinks. These can make you feel more stressed and they can over-stimulate your already active imagination.

How Can PreEmptive Healing Help You Manage Your Fear of Flying?

PreEmptive Healing has developed a new guided meditation audio that can help. Using the PreEmptive Healing method of managing fear and anxiety, we can successfully reduce fear and anxiety by 30-50%.

Here’s how it works:

We start by conditioning your mind. Conditioning means to undergo a change so that an act or response previously associated with one stimulus becomes associated with another. We guide you to substitute courage, strength, love, and empowerment for fear and anxiety. We are going to condition your mind to lower your fear of flying.

We will condition your mind through suggestions and visualizations that you will implement before, during the flight and while you’re plane is landing. To learn more about Fear of Flying – A Guided Meditation, click here.

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