Advice For Travelers Afraid to Fly

A lot of people are afraid to fly on an airplane. Though the exact reasons for this can vary from fear of giving up control to claustrophobia to not having a strong understanding of how airplanes can actually remain in the air, this article will give you a few bits of advice on how you can manage a fear of flying.
In this day and age air travel is becoming incredibly common. Quick business flights to far-off cities or a welcomed vacation to romantic and thrilling locales are normal and air travel is the fastest way to get from point A to point B. However some people are scared of flying or experience a type of phobia or anxiety about air travel, much like others experience as panic attacks while they drive or sleeping panic attacks.

It is important to realize that a fear of flying (also called aerophobia) may not simply have it's root in the actual fear of flying itself, but it could be many other things. While some people might be afraid of the extreme altitude and what it would be like to fall from such a height, others might find that the claustrophobic environment is what sends them over the edge. Others might have control issues trusting the pilot to fly the plane safely, while reports of recent plane crashes might put others on edge. Someone could be afraid to fly for literally countless reasons.

What sorts of advice can a person take to heart to make flying a more enjoyable thing?

First, find out where exactly your fear of flying is coming from and what sets it off. Do you know what caused this phobia to develop? Could it be something stressful or traumatic that happened when you were a child? It helps to know as much about your fear as possible so that you can be better equipped to handling it and moving past it and overcome the anxiety you face when you fly.

If you think that knowing more about the mechanics of flight, then by all means do that. Not knowing how airplanes work and why they can even fly in the first place can cause panic to some, so learning about them can be helpful. Try to locate books or other media that can explain how it all works in plain English.

Find a support group. Maybe you can turn to your friends and family, if you feel that they will understand and offer you support. Also look into internet forums and message boards where you can connect with others, share your experiences, and learn new techniques to manage anxiety. If you have some money to spend you can also look into professional therapy in your area.

Remember that you're not alone. Others out there suffer from a fear of flying. A lot of them have mastered the problem and now enjoy fear-free flying. Flying should be a fun and rewarding experience that takes you to far off places. And it will be after you put your fear of flying behind you!