By Tanya Glover

Theravive.com Contributor

Many people suffer from at least one fear. Some are scared of heights while others are scared of spiders. Though all fears are important and valid for the sufferer, as the anniversary of 9/11 is upon us, I felt it was important to address the fear of flying. Flying Anxiety After the horrific events of September 11th 2001it has become more common for people to have anxiety about flying. For some it is worse than others. There are still people that will not get on a plane since that fateful day and for many of these people, not flying is a major hindrance. Flying is an important part of modern life as we jet around the world for business purposes as well as to visit family and friends. Many years ago families were not typically separated by many miles, but today, some families are so spread out over the world that flying is the only feasible option of visiting them. Not only is it important to overcome your flying anxiety due to these things, but it will go a long way in making a healthier you as well!

Fear vs. Phobia

While you may have flying anxiety that does not mean it is simply a fear-it could be a phobia or vice versa. The main difference between fears and phobias are that fear is a rational response to a real threat while phobias stem from irrational fears that are both excessive and unreasonable. In order to overcome your flying anxiety you should first figure out if you are dealing with a fear or a phobia. This can be hard after the events of 9/11 as fear of flying can be considered either rational or irrational depending upon the context you are looking at it from. Examples of Rational Fear: · Being attacked by a dog when a vicious dog lives next door and is often lose. · Fear when you are in a situation that can cause bodily harm such as being robbed or being near violence. · Fear of falling if you are on in a high place that is unsteady or unstable. Examples of Irrational Fears: · Being afraid to drive when conditions are safe. · Being afraid of dying when there is nothing you can do about it. · Being afraid to fly when there is no clear and present danger.

Quelling Your Fears

Whether you’re flying anxiety is a fear or a phobia, there are things you can do to make your flying experience one that is less stressful. Your anxiety may not totally go away, but even if you can just lessen it, you can successfully make it through a flight. · Take a good book! · If you are overly stressed about flying, ask your doctor for some prescription anti-anxiety medication to take before your flight. · Learn to breathe! · Meditate · Listen to music or watch an in-flight movie. · Choose an aisle seat and make sure you are aware of your exit areas. · Have a glass of wine. · Make the trip with a friend or family member.

How These Tips Can Help

Our minds, while complex organs, can be tricked into refocusing attention to more desired areas. This is where the books, movies, and music come into play. By amercing yourself in a specific activity (one that is soothing to you) you mind can focus on just that activity without being in conscious awareness of what is happening around you. If you can achieve this then your flight will be over before you know it! Meditation is a great way to center you and lower your anxiety levels. If you are not experienced in this practice, pick up a book on meditation before you fly or speak with a professional yogi to help point you in the right direction. It may help you to refocus on something else (your book or movie) if you are in an aisle seat. If you cannot see how high up you are it will be easier not to focus on the fact that you are actually flying. While drinking is not the answer to any of life’s problems, having a glass of wine to help you relax is okay. If you enjoy the occasional glass of wine then go for it! It can help you to relax a bit and that relaxation can aide in your refocusing.If your anxiety is too much for you to be able to refocus your attention enough to bring it down to a manageable level, you may want to speak with your health care professional. If you tell your doctor that you have anxiety about flying they will typically give you a prescription for some anti-anxiety medication to be used during your travel time. Take this medication as only as prescribed. Usually the directions will be to take an hour or so before the flight in order to give maximum benefit. Many people become so relaxed while taking these types of medications that they even fall asleep. This would be a plus for those who suffer from flying anxiety. Remember, if you are taking medications, especially those that may interact with alcohol, DO NOT DRINK. Even one glass of wine could present danger to those taking anti-anxiety medications (and other specific medications). Check with your doctor or pharmacist to get more specific information when it comes to your medications and their interaction with alcohol. Finally, it can become a more relaxing experience if you travel with a friend or family member. You have someone with you to help you through your anxiety. Your travel companion can help refocus your attention by talking with your or simply holding your hand.

If Your Flying Anxiety is More Than You Can Handle Alone

Sometimes anxieties are too much to overcome alone. Even having the support of a friend or family member may not always be enough to get you through a stressful, anxious situation. Sometimes the help of a good therapist is what is needed to help you overcome your fear of flying. By seeking therapy you will have already taken the first step in getting help as you have admitted your fear is real. A skilled therapist can help you learn how to deal with and even rid yourself of your flying anxieties! If therapy is not an option for you (it may seem too costly or you may not be comfortable sharing with a therapist) then there are other approaches that you can take at home. It can be helpful to invest in some self-help materials such as books, videos, or cd’s. You can easily find something that works for you by doing a quick internet search on the subject. It may not seem important at this time in your life to overcome your fear of flying, but at some point you may just have to get on a plane if there are no other travel options available to get you to your destination. By overcoming your fear in this area you are freeing yourself to overcome other scary situations that may come up in your life. You should not have to live in fear of flying. Begin your journey by reaching out today so you can reap the benefits of your newfound freedom tomorrow!