How to Overcome a Fear of Flying

One thing a lot of people don’t know about me is that I actually hate flying. Growing up, my ears always painfully popped when flying. As an adult, that no longer happens but I hate the idea of being off the ground. Despite my dislike of flying I love to travel. In an effort to continue my love of travel I have discovered a few ways to overcome a fear of flying.

1. Create a Ritual: One amazing tip my favorite esthetician gave me is to wear a face mask during flights. Flying can be harsh on your skin as the air in planes is dry, recycled air. Think of your time in the air as an opportunity to pamper yourself. I wear a sheet mask and headphones combination to blissfully zone out during flights. I also make sure I have plenty of water to drink throughout the flight.
2. Travel Often: One of the best ways to get over a phobia is to be exposed to it. Usually, when I got six months or more without traveling I start to get anxious about my flights. Having flights within a shorter timeframe helps flying almost feel routine for me.
3. Talk to your doctor: Most PCPs can prescribe an anxiety medication such as Xanax to use only during the time of your flight. If you are severely afraid of flying this can help to reduce your anxiety. Just be sure to skip out on any on flight booze so that you don’t end up like the scene from the movie “Bridesmaid”.
4. Share your fears: For the longest time, I did not tell my friends that I hated flying because I thought it was embarrassing. An estimated 25% of all Americans are nervous flyers, that means you are definitely not alone! Don’t be afraid to tell your flying companion or even the stranger sitting next to you to hold your hand during turbulence.
5. Don’t give up! If you want to overcome this fear you definitely can, it may just take some time!

Whatever you end up deciding to try, don’t let a fear of flying keep you from seeing the world. Travel is one of the few things that can make you speechless then fill you with a well of words.