For some, flying can be an overwhelming experience. Fear of heights, the feeling of losing control, or the simple discomfort of being on a plane for hours can trigger anxiety and stress. If you’ve ever experienced these feelings when boarding a flight, you’re not alone! But what if we told you there’s a technique that can help you fly calmly and confidently? It’s called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), also known as “tapping”, and it can truly make your next flights a completely different ballgame.
What Is EFT?
Basically it´s a psychological acupressure technique which combines principles of traditional Chinese medicine with modern psychology. Instead of using needles, as in acupuncture, EFT employs “tapping” or gentle tapping on specific points on the body, known as meridians. While tapping, the person focuses on an emotional problem (such as a fear of flying) and repeats phrases that help release emotional tension.
How Does It Work?
EFT works with the body’s energy system. The idea is that negative emotions, such as fear and anxiety, are related to blockages in the flow of energy. By tapping on certain meridian points while focusing on the discomfort you are feeling, you help release these blockages, allowing the energy to flow freely and the negative emotion to subside. Some points include:
- The side of the hand (known as the “karate chop point”)
- The space between the eyebrows
- The sides of the eyes
- Under the nose and lips
- The collarbone
- Under the arm
The technique is simple and easy to learn, making it a very accessible tool for managing stressful situations, such as fear of flying.
EFT Benefits for Airline Passengers
The technique can transform the experience of anxious flyers in multiple ways, helping them overcome their fears and enjoy a more peaceful flight:
Reducing Fear of Flying
If you’re feeling crippling anxiety before you get on a plane, EFT can help you calm down quickly. By focusing on your specific fear and tapping, you can effectively reduce the intensity of your anxiety. For example, you might start with a phrase like, “Even though I’m afraid of flying, I deeply and completely accept myself.” As you tap on the points, you’ll likely feel the emotion begin to subside.
Controlling Anxiety in the Air
For many, anxiety can be triggered by takeoff, turbulence, or just being cooped up in a small space for several hours. Tapping allows you to manage that anxiety in real time, on the plane itself. You can use it during takeoff if you’re feeling nervous, or whenever you experience turbulence by discreetly tapping in your seat.
Emotional Preparation Before Flying
One of the most powerful aspects of this technique is that you can use it days before your flight to address any thoughts or worries that are causing you anxiety. If you think about the flight and feel tense or afraid, doing it in the moment helps you process those feelings before you get to the airport, allowing you to travel with a calmer, more relaxed mind.
Improving Physical Comfort During the Flight
As well as helping emotionally, it can also impact your physical wellbeing during the flight. Many people experience physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension, headaches or stomach discomfort. By tapping, you can alleviate these symptoms by balancing your energy system, helping you feel more comfortable whilst travelling.
How to Use EFT Before and During a Flight
Here is a simple example of how you might use EFT to calm your fear of flying:
- Identify your fear. For example: “I feel scared when I think about being trapped in a plane”.
- Rate the intensity of your fear on a scale of one to 10. This number will help you measure your progress after tapping.
- Tap on the side point of your hand (karate chop point) while repeating three times: “Even though I am very afraid of flying, I deeply and completely accept myself”.
- Begin tapping on the meridian points, while repeating phrases such as “this fear of flying”, “I feel this anxiety in my body”, and “I worry about what could happen on the plane”.
- After a full cycle of tapping, re-evaluate the intensity of your fear on a scale of one to 10. If you still feel anxious, repeat the process until you notice a significant improvement.
Flying doesn’t have to be a stress-filled experience. EFT can transform your relationship with air travel from anxiety to calm. This simple method not only improves your emotional experience, but gives you practical tools to manage fear in any situation, on or off the plane. So next time you have a flight, consider giving “tapping” a try! You might find that flying becomes a much more pleasurable and liberating experience.
Photo| skynesher