Fear of Flying – Page 3 – Flying Comfortably

The fear of flying is one of the most common phobias, and can be very difficult to overcome because of the many factors that can cause fear coming into play simultaneously. You may feel claustrophobic while flying, you may fear being “trapped” in the plane, you may have anxiety about the possibility of having a panic attack while on board, or you may fear to crash. Some of your fears may have no basis in reality at all, and are simply the result of myths you have wrongly come to believe as fact. Maybe it's not you, but a friend or family member dealing with a fear of flying.So let's tackle some of the most common myths around air travel and flying! Myth #1: Air Pockets Very commonly, those with a fear of flying will be concerned about “air pockets”. I have news for you, air pockets are about as real as the tooth fairy! The myth is that if a plane is unlucky enough to fly through one of these mythical air pockets, it can suddenly fall hundreds of feet. This simply isn’t possible. There is no place in the sky that is a “pocket” without air. Have you ever been walking down the street and suddenly couldn’t breathe because you walked through an air pocket? Of course not, because the notion is absurd. Air pockets do not exist. Myth #2: Turbulence Can Cause A Plane To Crash Another common fear is that planes are really very fragile and that turbulence can cause great damage, is a threat to the safety of the passengers and crew, or can even break the wings of the plane. In reality, commercial airplanes are meant to withstand far more turbulence than you would ever experience on a normal flight, and no amount of turbulence you would typically encounter can damage the plane at all much less break the wings. Turbulence is far more an annoyance than a danger, and the strength of the plane is in its flexibility. The wings of an airplane are actually extremely pliable, and can bend and flex with the wind, just like a blade of grass gently bends while an inflexible oak tree may break and topple. Turbulence is a comfort issue, not a safety issue. Myth #3: Planes Can Suddenly Fall Out Of The Sky Another pervasive myth whose origin is one of misunderstanding, is that a plane will tumble out of the sky if the engines quit working. In reality, even without engines, a plane can glide for a very long time, up to 100 miles from cruise altitude, just like a giant paper airplane! Planes simply don’t “fall”, in fact, gliding without engine power on landing is quite common in order to save fuel. If you are afraid that your airplane will fall from the sky, you can put that worry behind you, it simply isn’t possible. Conclusion There are many, many more myths about flying that can cause unnecessary fear and anxiety flying, we’ve only scratched the surface here. The more information you have about flight and how planes work, the less you will be afraid. Do you get anxious or have panic attacks when you fly? Learn how to conquer your fear of flying, relax on the plane, and fly in peace! What causes the fear of flying? Aerophobia is not a specific cause. Instead, it can be inherited or caused by certain factors. Some of these include genetics and exposure to media reports about plane crashes. Actress Jennifer Aniston has a well-documented aversion to flying. She revealed that she started tackling her fear of heights after she was with Justin Theroux. Should you be scared to fly? It's also perfectly reasonable for people to be afraid of flying. Studies show that even experienced pilots can get flight anxiety. Some people are so fond of flying that they have their own pilot's license. This means that they can fly anywhere they want as long as they're licensed and have the necessary skills to do so. Does flying feel like roller coasters? Air turbulence is a common experience for pilots. For many, it feels like they're flying through a river. Mountain wave turbulence is a more severe type of turbulence. What can I take for anxiety before flying? Medical professionals can also prescribed medications for flight anxiety. Some of these include benzodiazepines, which are usually fast-acting and can relieve anxiety for a long time. Use in-flight entertainment to drown out the ambient noise. Listen to music or a book to help calm your nerves. Is fear of flying a mental illness? Fear of flying is an anxiety disorder that affects around 40% of the general population. It is considered a clinical phobia and can cause significant distress. You're on a plane. The pilot can't see you. Turbulent air travel is now considered an inevitable part of the flight. Do celebrities travel with bodyguards? Famous people usually have to share their lives with people around them. In most cases, they only need one bodyguard. However, some of them are too strict when it comes to their security. Many people think that celebrities only travel on first class. In reality, many of them do travel on their own private jets. Do celebrities go through airport security? Usually, celebrities leave their gates upon arrival and board their flights in the first-class section. They are not spotted queueing up with the other passengers. After taking off, you will immediately feel the transition from 100 to 120 mph. This is so quick that your stomach doesn't drop.