Fear of flying is more common than you might imagine. For more than a few people, boarding a plane is a source of anxiety that can range from mild discomfort to a full-blown emotional block. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I afraid of flying?” you’re taking the first step toward understanding and overcoming it. Here we’ll help you identify the most common causes of aerophobia and offer a practical way to help you manage your flight anxiety.
Where Does Fear of Flying Come From?
This phobia doesn’t always have a single cause. but rather is usually the result of a combination of factors that manifest differently in each person. Some common causes include:
- The feeling of a loss of control: On an airplane, you’re not in command , and that can create insecurity.
- Lack of information: Not knowing how flights work or safety procedures can fuel irrational thoughts.
- Previous bad experiences: Inflight with turbulence or shocking news can leave an emotional mark.
- Generalised anxiety or claustrofobia: For some people, simply being in an enclosed space, especially at high altitude, can trigger discomfort.
- Learned fears: Sometimes fear is transmitted through family members, the media, or other people’s experiences..
A Practical Solution: Identifying, Naming, and Releasing Your Fear
Understanding where your anxiety comes from is the first step to managing it. We suggest a simple three-step exercise you can do before you fly, or even weeks before if you’re planning a trip.
Identify Your Specific Fear
Take a few minutes to reflect and write down: What worries me most about flying? Turbulence, takeoff, altitude, losing control, feeling trapped? Naming your fear takes away its power. Saying “I’m afraid of flying” isn’t the same as admitting, “I’m uncomfortable not knowing what’s happening when the plane moves.”
Reason Using the Right Information
Start by searching for data that can dispel your fears. For example:
- Flying is statistically one of the world’s safest means of trasportation.
- Turbulence may be bothersome but don’t pose any real risk to aircraft.
- Pilots and crews are highly and rigorously trained to face any situation.
Take note of these facts and compare them with your fears. Having them near at hand to consult can help you in moments of tension.
Breathe and Visualise Your Trip
Practice slow breathing techniques (inhale for four seconds, hold for another four, exhale for six). At the same time imagine the trip as a positive experience: from boarding, reading a book on board, looking out the window, to landing and arriving at your destination.
Visualising tranquil scenes reduces anxiety and trains your mind to experience the flight more calmly.
You don’t need to love flying to be able to do it with peace of mind. Like any fear, aerophobia can be reduced with information, emotional preparation, and practice. Many people who were once afraid of airplanes now fly naturally after understanding their emotions and learning to manage them.
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