Now I'm afraid to fly. How to overcome the fear of flying. Proven ways. Getting ready for the flight

afraid to fly in an airplane. Fear of flying is the most common type of phobia in the modern world.

Aerophobia is the fear of flying, and in a broader sense, the fear of cold air and drafts..

Aero (eng.) - air, phobia (eng.) - phobia, fear, fear. Psychology identifies another type of phobia - aviophobia. Avia - aviation, associated with aircraft. The concepts of aerophobia and aerophobia are close in meaning, therefore, they are most often used, implying a single format of fear - the fear of flying.

According to statistics, about 25% of the population over the age of 25 are afraid to fly.

In this regard, many deny themselves the pleasure of seeing the world, visiting loved ones, changing their place of residence, etc. The main reason that provokes the emergence and development of aerophobia is the fear of a possible plane crash. At the time of boarding the plane and during the flight, such people experience severe stress, which can only be experienced again in case of emergency.

Often the fear of flying is present in a person together with other similar phobias: fear of closed spaces, heights, fires, death. People are afraid not so much of flying as of the conditions in which the flight takes place. Therefore, it is considered a symptom, not a disease.

The reasons

Due to the prevalence of fear of flying, psychology is actively exploring this type of phobia. And, before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to understand the causes of panic conditions. They are individual, but there are the most common causes that occur in the majority of the population:

1. The stress experienced during flights often provokes the onset of a phobia. This can happen during periods of severe turbulence, hard landings, or bad weather conditions. At this moment, a person is immersed in negative associations, represents a plane crash, death of people. Fear can be so strong that it is “fixed” in the psyche, it becomes scary to fly.
2. Real air crashes covered in the media. In Soviet times, such information was kept secret, so we thought that our planes did not crash. Now, every event of this kind is actively discussed on television, in newspapers and magazines. And with the development of the Internet, hiding the crash has become almost impossible. Our psyche is designed in such a way that any information that carries a negative is stored in the subconscious, forming a wary attitude towards flights.
3. Fear of your own body's reaction. Most often, this cause of fear of flying occurs in people with a weak cardiovascular system. The plane rises in the sky to a height of about 14,000 m, so that the body can withstand such a load and can fly at high speed, the pressure inside decreases, and when landing it rises again. From such an impact, the pressure of a person changes.

People who are not confident in their health should have pills and medicines with them that maintain normal pressure, because. in addition to feeling unwell and bleeding, there is a threat of a heart attack.

1. Internal, psychological reasons. These include the lack of control over the machine, the need to trust the pilot. Most often, self-sufficient and successful people who are able to do business and manage hundreds and thousands of subordinates, who at first glance are not afraid of anyone, are subject to it. Excessive self-confidence and responsibility does not allow them to allow someone to control and influence their lives. The fear of flying may be the only fear in their life, but it has a serious impact.

Based on what aerophobia is and why people are so afraid to fly, psychology divides the fear of flying into several types, depending on the main cause and prevalence:

• Fear of a catastrophe, fear of death is the most common type of fear of flying;
• Fear of heights. There is both a separate type of phobia (acrophobia), and in connection with flights. People suffering from this kind of fear are also afraid of high-rise buildings, bridges, elevators, etc.;
• Fear of enclosed space, or claustrophobia;
• Fear of trusting other people, losing control over the situation;
• Tendency to panic and obsessive states;
• Fear of losing control of oneself;
• Fear of turbulence. Usually associated with the technical illiteracy of people, ignorance of physical laws;
• Fear of large crowds.

Symptoms

In most cases, a person does not immediately realize that he is inclined to experience a fear of flying. Initially, he diagnoses himself with mild anxiety, which he attributes to stress, fatigue, new experiences, etc. Over time, the symptoms become more and more, a person always takes a sedative with him on a trip. If the disease worsens, it is necessary to prescribe treatment that combines medication and work with a psychologist.

Aerophobia, like any other mental illness, manifests itself individually, but also has common symptoms by which it is determined.

1. Physiological. These include all bodily manifestations:

• Tension in the muscles, trembling of the arms and legs, when it is difficult to make the simplest movements - in the form of tying shoelaces;
• Breathing goes astray, becomes quickened, a symptom may manifest itself as a lack of air;
• Pain in the chest, heart pounding;
• abdominal discomfort, nausea;
• Throws in sweat, it becomes hot;
• The head is spinning, weakness appears, any movements are difficult;
• Dries up in the mouth;
• The face turns red or pale.

1. Psychological:

• Panic long before the flight, difficulty shifting attention;
• Obsessive negative pictures in the mind, a plane crash, the death of loved ones is drawn in the imagination;
• Excessive attention to any actions of the crew, the technical condition of the aircraft, the search for negativity;
• Memory worsens, all thoughts are focused only on the upcoming flight;
• A person studies in detail all cases of air crashes, pays close attention to them;
• Wanting to run away from the airport, cancel the trip.

In most cases, if there is no way to take a sedative, people tend to deal with panic through alcohol. It clouds the brain, reduces anxiety and fear of flying. In the last period of time, the media received a lot of information about the instigators of quarrels and fights on board the aircraft due to severe alcohol intoxication. Psychology does not recommend using this method of calming - relief is temporary and brings a lot of inconvenience to passengers and crew, and can also adversely affect the human body.

If not treated

In its extreme manifestations, aerophobia is dangerous for humans. The mental state becomes more and more unstable with each flight, a person begins to feel panic states more often, even when he is on the ground. He is haunted by nightmares in which the aircraft crashes, killing all the passengers on board. As a result, insomnia may occur, the patient becomes nervous, irritable, ceases to do everyday duties. Relationships with loved ones deteriorate, problems arise at work. Holidays are held in the same way, within the limits of railway or road communication. In terms of health - the picture does not look better. Phobic sufferers often have problems with the cardiovascular system of the body. They are more likely than others to suffer from strokes and heart attacks and are treated by a neurologist.

If a person suffering from a panic fear of flying is still forced to use this type of transport and does not recognize pills, then alcohol becomes the only way to relieve anxiety. Frequent use can lead to alcoholism, which is rarely effective unless the cause is addressed. That is why among alcoholics there is a high percentage of people suffering from various types of fears.

In conclusion

Even if you find yourself with many of these symptoms, do not panic. Understanding what aerophobia is, where it comes from and why it has such a strong impact will be an advantage in the fight for mental and physical health. Aerophobia is a very common phenomenon, especially in our troubled world, during wars and terrorist attacks. It can be associated with other types of fears, such as fear of heights, confined spaces, crowds, etc., and can also exist independently. The intensification of the phobia can be influenced by unpleasant events that occurred during the flight with friends, loved ones, flight delays, information about technical problems, negatively minded fellow travelers, etc.

You need to get rid of aerophobia - overcome your fears on your own or undergo treatment with a psychologist, because. over time, it will begin to affect the way of life.

There are examples when successful and famous personalities stopped making an effort on themselves and lost promising projects, career opportunities, or even loved ones because of their fear. There is no need to be afraid of airplanes - after all, according to statistics, the probability of an air crash is extremely minimal, and hundreds or thousands of times more people die in road accidents every day. Aerophobia, like any other fear, should not interfere with living a full and eventful life.

Hello!
I have a problem that is ruining my life.
She flew for the first time at the age of 25, the whole flight she held on to her neighbor (an unfamiliar man in age). In the next couple of years, there were still rare flights with my husband. I was scared, but at least I could handle the fear.

Then a son was born and the fear deepened. I'm afraid to fly to tears, naturally, on takeoff, I begin to sob softly into my husband's shoulder.
I'm afraid to break. I'm afraid that the turbine will fail and the plane will fall. As I imagine it, sitting on the couch at home makes me feel bad, and even more so on the plane. A couple of times the plane was shaking, by my standards it was terrible, my husband remembers with a smile.
In a week there will be a 6-hour flight with my husband and child, and I feel bad beforehand - I'm nervous, sleep badly and generally feel very excited in terms of nerves.
Because of fear, I don’t ask for business trips for training, it’s common in a team - to fly to courses there, to fly to a seminar here, but I’m scared, so don’t.
There used to be (before the birth of a child) some kind of "magic wand", she herself came up with the idea that beautiful flight attendants would not die =)) that the entire crew also wants to live and will make every effort so that nothing happens in flight, and if it happens - then all the strength is to save everyone and yourself, that it’s worth worrying only when the “fasten your seat belts” board is permanently on (if you are chatting, but the board is not on, then it’s okay). Now none of this affects me, I'm stupidly scared a week before the flight and until the end of the vacation / business trip.
Naturally, the words that air travel is the safest do not work for me. There is no escape from a falling plane. Moreover, I was twice in serious accidents (twice head-on collisions), I coped with the fear of driving a car.
Talk to me.
UPD: in general, I bought one flight in the Sky Guru program - the first flight out of 4 planned, I flew calmly, but there was a feeling of indulging my phobia. She went to the toilet calmly, looked out the window. It was interesting to observe that the shaking began when they flew over mountains or bodies of water. The next 2 flights were short, 1.5 hours each. I can not say that I flew with indifference. It was especially scary on landing once, as they turned hard and came in sharply for landing.

It turned out that it was much scarier to swim on a longtail in the waves, where I could not restrain myself at all.

Well, the 6-hour return flight was relatively calm for me, it was shaking for about an hour, but looking out the window, I saw that the plane was not crashing, that the landscape was the same and that no one died from turbulence (if it was at all).

Thank you all for the dialogue, it helped me a lot. I no longer experienced fear of flying with sleep disturbance. There was no longer any particularly strong fear on takeoff, as it was before.

Now it is difficult to imagine foreign travel without air travel. This way of moving allows you to save a lot of time and get to your destination with maximum comfort. And in terms of cost, a plane ticket is often cheaper than a land trip, with numerous stops, transfers and other inconveniences. But not everyone feels safe in the air, and this fear makes people experience not the most pleasant moments during the flight, or even completely refuse to travel. What to do in such cases, how to overcome the fear of flying on an airplane and get rid of discomfort forever?

Phobia or simple anxiety?

Anyone can have a fear of flying, even those who have traveled by air more than once. This is facilitated by many different factors: weather conditions, lack of knowledge about the operation of the aircraft, emotional distress, inactivity in flight, heart or nervous system diseases. The sensations that the fear of flying causes also have varying degrees of severity. For some, this is a slight anxiety, for others - anxious thoughts, nervous tension and an oppressive feeling until the end of the flight, while others feel real panic up to the loss of control over themselves.

According to statistics, the fear of flying, or aerophobia, affects about 25% of the world's population. But any manifestation of fear should not be considered a disease: a phobia has quite definite signs that differ from the usual anxiety and excitement that most air passengers tend to experience. If a person is able to control negative thoughts and emotions, does not allow himself to panic, and can be distracted by something at least a little, then this is not a disease. The discomfort that many people experience on an airplane is quite common, and it is not so difficult to deal with it.

Another thing is if the fear of flying is so strong that a person can hardly force himself to board the aircraft, and in the air he feels panic and loses the ability to control himself. Usually such people avoid air travel by any means and choose to travel by car or train. And yet, it is possible to overcome aerophobia, the main thing is to have a desire and a little patience.

Read also useful information with detailed instructions in a new article on our portal.

Video - Aerophobia - how to stop being afraid to fly on an airplane

How to deal with fear

To effectively deal with the problem, you first need to figure out what exactly scares you the most. Many are afraid of an aircraft breaking down in the air, engine failure, and even air pockets, due to which periodic shakes and vibrations are felt in the cabin. In fact, breakdowns happen very rarely, because every aircraft undergoes regular checks before flights. They are serviced by experienced professionals, so the risk of breakage is minimal.

Another common cause of fear is the fear of entrusting your life to pilots, even the most experienced ones. The inability to control the situation in the event of an accident or to somehow influence its outcome makes many passengers nervous and worried. But even here the danger is exaggerated, because both the crew and the dispatchers know their job very well and treat their work responsibly.

In general, planes are not in vain considered one of the safest modes of transport. According to long-term statistics, out of 8 million people who travel by air, only one passenger dies. At the same time, in Moscow alone, about 30,000 people die in car accidents every year. Many accidents occur on the railway and maritime transport.

So, first you need to determine the cause of fear, and then try to analyze it. It is important to remember that air carriers are responsible for passengers, and the crew themselves value their lives, which means that they are most interested in a safe flight. If the fear is very strong, it would be best to turn to a psychologist: now in Russia it is easy to find a qualified specialist who provides services of this kind. Professional psychologists in a few sessions help people learn to control emotions and overcome fears, up to the complete elimination of a phobia.

The most effective method is computer programs of virtual flights. Thanks to the use of special equipment, a person can try to feel like an airliner pilot and control takeoffs and landings. All sensations are very realistic, and at first fear may reappear, but gradually the brain gets used to the fact that all this is just an illusion and there is not the slightest danger to life. This contributes to the development of a reflex, and the flight will already be associated with pleasant emotions, and not with panic.

The big disadvantage of such therapy is its high cost, which not everyone can afford. If your fear of flying is not strong enough to cause a loss of self-control, you can deal with the problem in a less expensive way, with a few simple tricks.

Safe seats on the plane:

Safe places	Location	Survival Percentage
Front section of the cabin		48% Survival
Economy class in front of the wing		56% Survival
Economy class above the wing		56% Survival
Tail section of the cabin		69% Survival

Methods for dealing with fear of flying

There are a number of different techniques that can reduce nervous tension and make it easier to transfer an airplane flight. These methods may differ in effectiveness, and what works well for one may not work for others, so everyone should choose the best option for themselves.

Way to deal with fear	Description
	If you focus only on pleasant moments, for example, anticipation of a vacation abroad or meeting with relatives (friends), the power of fear will significantly weaken. You need to start even before the start of the trip: set yourself up for positive, put your thoughts in order, constantly repeat that the flight will go well. On the plane, mentally imagine yourself already at the end point of the flight, make plans for the coming days.
	Many people meet fellow travelers on the flight and communicate with them most of the time. An interesting conversation will help to distract from negative thoughts and experiences, time will fly by faster. But even if you don’t really like your interlocutor, it’s still better to keep the conversation going than to get hung up on your fears.
	If you do not like to communicate on the road, take a book with you. The more exciting the plot, the less you will pay attention to what is happening around. You can also use a tablet or laptop and surf the Internet, because now every plane has Wi-Fi on board.
	Also a great way to get distracted is to listen to your favorite music in flight. Of course, you need to do this only with headphones, so as not to disturb the rest. It is advisable to turn on the music louder - this way you drown out the noises and rumble in the cabin, which can cause unpleasant associations.
	If you believe in the power of amulets, talismans, lucky numbers, then be sure to take some good luck item with you on the road. Some specifically reserve seats in the cabin under a certain number or book tickets for the same number. This allows you to psychologically tune in to a safe flight and reduce emotional stress.
	Sweet foods have a calming effect on the nervous system, so it is worth taking with you what you like the most, such as chocolate, sweets, candied fruit. You need to eat them little by little, stretching the pleasure and enjoying the taste.
	If you are very nervous, you can take a sedative before the flight, but do not exceed the allowable dose. In the case of a long flight, a light sleeping pill is also suitable, the main thing is not to overdo it and do not mix sleeping pills with sedatives.

Psychologists recommend that people with a fear of flying arrive early to avoid the hassle of check-in and boarding. Arriving in advance, you will be able to calmly go through all the procedures and psychologically tune in to the flight, and at the same time get to know other passengers.

Video - 10 tricks to overcome the fear of flying

What not to do

A large number of those who are afraid to fly on airplanes themselves aggravate their condition by certain actions. To avoid this, you need to know in advance what you should not do on flights:

Read also detailed and interesting information for travelers in a new article -

Video - How to overcome the fear of flying on an airplane

There are a lot of people in the world who dream of traveling the world, visiting distant continents and islands lost in the ocean, but their dreams remain dreams because of the fear of flying. They would be happy to overcome this fear, but they do not know how to do it, where to start. And then in the newspapers, then on TV, no, no, yes, there is information about air crashes with numerous victims, about emergency landings of aircraft. And how can you stop being afraid of flying? How to visit distant countries and see the boundless world? We answer: almost anyone can get rid of aerophobia on their own. And knowledge of physical laws, about airplanes and the ability to relax at the right time will help him.

Fear is normal, with the help of it, a person becomes more cautious, and, moreover, thanks to it, people were able to live to this day. Not afraid, only a man without brains. But excessive fear, turning into panic attacks, is already a diagnosis that requires treatment from a special doctor. So you have to see this fine line.

The most important fact that speaks in favor of choosing an aircraft as a means of transportation is statistics that stubbornly says that the probability of death in a plane crash is: one in eleven million. That is, in comparison with the probability of getting into an accident on another land or water mode of transport, it is minimal. Much more likely to die on the way to the airport than on board. Let this statement alone fill you with optimism.

Many people's fears stem from ignorance of the reasons for what sometimes happens during a flight: it can be stuffy ears, a warning sign suddenly lit up asking you to fasten your seat belts, without explanation, or a change in wing configuration. If you understand what these moments are connected with, your fear will disappear. A person who knows little about the intricacies of air travel and about airplanes, in principle, finding himself in an unusual situation for himself, without any information, instinctively thinks that the worst thing that can happen has happened. Therefore, here is an explanation for some of the above sources of your fears. In order for the aircraft to take off from the ground, it needs to gain a certain speed. With its sharp stratum, it seems that we are pressed into the chair and, even, it seems that the plane is taking off with too much inclination, and here it is still laying our ears. All these sensations are caused by the unusual position of our body in space, coupled with acceleration. Ears are blocked during takeoff and landing due to pressure drops. As for the movement of the wing parts during the flight: calm down - they do not come off due to old age, this is a necessity, according to the law of aerodynamics. That's the way it should be. All modern aircraft have wings with several elements: if the main part of the wing is fixed, then there are small additional flaps on the trailing edge. If during the flight they are a continuation of the wing profile, then during takeoff, landing or during maneuvers, they deviate downward, increasing the lift force of the wing.

A very unpleasant moment in flight, not mandatory, but often occurring, is turbulence that occurs when an aircraft crosses the border of low and high pressure areas. The feeling is like falling into a hole. It is similar to driving a car on a broken road, if you do not imagine that there are ten thousand meters of emptiness under you. Pilots, over the years of their work, accustomed to this phenomenon, call it "chatter". Turbulence does not pose a threat to passengers and crew members, nor to the aircraft: these chaotic air vortices that cause shaking and swaying, encountered on the path of many flights, are just “games” of air currents. If small whirlwinds sometimes go completely unnoticed, then large ones quite noticeably declare themselves. Sometimes they happen not only in cloudy weather, but also in clear skies at high altitude, as well as over the ocean or sea. Do not worry about this, your plane is designed with such a phenomenon in mind and will successfully withstand any air shocks and dips: it will not fall apart in the air, nothing will fall off from it, as it is designed for huge loads and has a large margin of safety. But, quite often, passengers get injured due to turbulence: many do not buckle up, despite the warning, go to the toilet when they should not do it and everyone must sit in their seats, leave the luggage compartments open on top and something falls on them. That's why you're strongly advised to buckle up and stay seated, not because the flight attendant is an evil witch who doesn't like you. And yet, in order to feel less turbulence, choose seats in the first half or on the wings in the middle of the cabin, because the tail shakes the most.

Many are afraid that if suddenly the pilot becomes ill and he releases the helm, the plane will crash down from a ten-kilometer height. It's just physically impossible. The fact is that during the flight, a very strong pressure is created under the wings of the aircraft, so the air holds it no worse than the earth holds a car. Even if the plane stands on its tail and turns around its axis, it will simply sway in the air, like a raft on the waves. And there are two pilots on the plane. And yet, all the systems of the liner are repeatedly duplicated. Every aircraft has at least two engines that cannot fail at the same time unless each of them has completed two million flight hours, which is almost two hundred and thirty years without landing. Even if the liner fails one engine, then under normal weather conditions and overloads, it continues its flight without descending and lands completely safely. The most common aircraft in Russian airlines, the Boeing-737, can safely fly for two hours in emergency mode. Such requirements are already included in the world standards for the creation of passenger liners, and they fully comply with them. In addition, at all airports, aircraft undergo a technical inspection before departure, by a whole team of professionals. When catastrophes occur, a series of unfavorable circumstances come together. After that, everything is carefully studied and eliminated in order to prevent a recurrence. Aircraft repairs and checks are carried out in accordance with the approved plan, which stipulates that for every hour of an aircraft in the air, there are eleven hours of maintenance. That is, if your plane flies to its destination for four hours, it means that it has undergone forty-four hours of maintenance.

Many people are afraid to fly on an airplane, because they understand that they do not control this process and decision-making does not depend on them. And this inability to control the situation causes them stress. Such people need to learn to control themselves and calm down, with the help of yoga and meditation, as well as switching to a positive way. Sometimes it can be difficult, but with the help of special classes that help overcome the fear of flying on a plane, it is easier to do. We still have the only clinic in Russia that deals with the treatment of aerophobia, it is located in Moscow and its name is “We fly without fear”. The course of treatment there is two days, the price is several thousand rubles. For people who do not have the opportunity to come in person, there are online courses paid for over the Internet. That is, if you are not present there in person, then you will be offered to watch a certain selection of videos, as well as reading special literature and talking with a psychologist. As part of the personal presence in the classroom, a visit to the airport is provided, the opportunity to visit the flight simulator, imitation of various situations that can occur in the air, and finally, an analysis of the flight with the teacher. These courses are attended by pilots, flight attendants. If your city has a similar flight simulator, you can also sign up for training, where, with a patient instructor, you can understand that flying is not scary and even fall in love with this process.

If you have a flight scheduled, then in order to maintain peace of mind, do not watch disaster films the day before, do not be interested in the details of plane crashes on the Internet, as you will only increase your fear. If you are afraid of flying, then look for direct flights to stay in the air for as little time as possible. Ask for a place on the wing, in the most stable part of the liner, where it shakes the least. If you are claustrophobic, ask for an aisle or emergency exit seat. If you are worried that the plane will get into turbulence, take a closer look at large planes, they shake a lot less. A priori: the larger the aircraft, the smoother the flight on it. For peace of mind, fly during the daytime. Perhaps you will be reassured by the fact that there is a blue sky around, and not pitch darkness and the unknown. Try to overcome your fear: this can be done by being a fatalist - if it's destined, then death will find everywhere or an optimist - everything will be fine with me. Start flying as often as possible: if flying becomes a regular and routine thing for you, it will become a habit and the fear will disappear. If you have a choice: go by land or fly by plane, feel free to choose the plane, because flying is safer than driving in a car!

And, of course, it is worth coming to terms with the fact that risk is a part of our life. No one knows what fate has in store for him. While sitting on the plane, keep yourself busy with something exciting that will not let your thoughts escalate anxiety and anxiety: watch an exciting movie, read about the places you are flying to, plot your travel route, and if you listen to the sounds of the flight and the plane, then put on headphones with incendiary music and relax. You can ask your doctor to recommend some herbal sedatives. But we do not recommend relaxing with the help of alcohol. The fact is that the alcohol taken already at an altitude of more than three thousand meters, even in the amount of one hundred grams, is able to reduce the frequency of breathing and increase oxygen starvation. If a person has a weak heart, and he may not even know about it, very bad things can happen. A habitual pile, for terrestrial conditions, radically changes the behavior of a person on board at altitude, because due to low pressure and low oxygen levels, euphoria sets in faster, and human behavior gets out of control. That is why we have been talking so much lately about the ugly antics of air brawlers. Therefore, it is better to relax by buying something tasty in duty free, something that you can chew for a long time: chips, crackers, candies. Get to know your neighbors, discuss something vital, and the flight time will pass unnoticed.

We wish you to overcome yourself and defeat your fear of flying in airplanes. We hope that we were able to convince you that this is not scary, but, on the contrary, allows you to open up new horizons and visit different distant corners of the globe.

“I’m afraid to fly on an airplane, what should I do?” - this question is asked by 30% of the inhabitants of the Earth.10% of them suffer from real aerophobia, which is why they do not travel abroad on vacation, do not visit relatives, and travel exclusively by land transport.

Of course, everyone experiences discomfort before or during the flight to some extent.But real aerophobia is a complex mental disorder that is treated at the appointment of a psychotherapist and rarely develops outside of a set of other phobias.Moderate fear of flying, especially if you have your first air travel, can be overcome on your own.We figure out how to do it with simple and working tricks.

And to begin with, let's define a couple of simple details of what to do if you are afraid to fly on an airplane.The first and basic rule is not to use it as a sedative.

Dry air and low pressure on board, backed up by a glass of whiskey, will instantly intoxicate and increase excitement, and by the end of the flight, a hangover will set in.

Therefore, try to get by with lollipops during landing and landing, eat or drink water, since coffee can also excite an already excited nervous system.Now let's move on to the main part.

Trick number 1: before the flight, read the statistics

While you are on the train, there are about 5,000 planes flying in the sky.

Surely you have heard that an airplane is considered the safest mode of transport: every second, on average, 5,000 (!) Thousand cars are in the sky.

Every year, 5 billion (!) people travel by air, and the average annual number of victims of air crashes fluctuates around 300-400.That is, 1 out of 12 million dies.

And now, if you are looking for advice on what to do if you are afraid to fly on an airplane, remember the number of victims in all kinds of accidents. The bill goes into tens of thousands.

Tip: If you fly every day to be a victim of a plane crash, you will need 21,000 years.

Trick number 2: study the materiel correctly

Aircraft are carefully checked before each flight.

The key word is correct.Once you've bought your tickets, don't immediately start googling the crash statistics of the aircraft you're flying on.These attempts will end with insomnia, vascular dystonia, and lost money.

Read on for some comforting facts:

1. All systems in the aircraft have 2-3 takes.
2. Each liner has 2 engines: if one fails, the ship can safely fly on the second for at least 2 hours, while the risk that both fail at the same time is equal to two hundred years of its continuous operation.
3. Air vehicles have a large technical resource; before each flight, they undergo a thorough check. Do not be afraid to fly on aircraft that are 15 or 20 years old, be it Lufthansa or Air Nigeria - all air companies must be certified in accordance with international standards.
4. Each case of a plane crash is a confluence of circumstances that are carefully studied to prevent them in the future.
5. Every year the number of accidents, despite their replication by television, decreases by 15%.

Trick number 3: I'm afraid to fly on a plane, what should I do? Prepare in advance

Arrive early at the airport to give yourself time to settle in

Minimize the number of stressful situations: choose the right flight. It is more convenient for someone to fly at night, someone prefers daytime flights.Think about what is more comfortable for you. When buying a ticket, do not forget to take into account the time difference.

Check-in online before your flight to avoid any additional worries.Try as little as possible the night before your trip - this way you have a better chance of falling asleep on board and the flight will be easy.

Tip: when purchasing a ticket, reserve a seat. The most comfortable seats for those who are afraid of flying are in the front and near the wings. Airbus A 320 has rows 8-15, Boeing 737-800 has rows 12-18.

Trick number 4: I'm afraid to fly on a plane, what should I do? Trust the Crew

Take a cue from the crew

Tips from pilots and flight attendants can be viewed in advance on youtube (including at the end of this article), but the most therapeutic effect on you should be the confident and friendly appearance of the team.

Imagine these people are on board aircraft for most of their lives.They would hardly have dedicated themselves to heights if they were driven by the fear of falling into an air pocket or, worse, a plane crash.

And they also want to return home safe and sound to hug their loved ones.Some airlines allow you to go into the cockpit and get to know each other so that it inspires confidence in you.

But, to be honest, we have not yet met such precedents. Just in case, ask the flight attendant.

Trick #5: Have fun!

Find yourself an interlocutor

By all available means. Listen, read books, find an interlocutor.In general, do everything that will help to disengage from a sense of danger.

Psychologists consider audiobooks to be the best way to overcome the fear of flying while on board - unlike songs, when listening to the text, you will have to pay attention to understand what is being said.

Trick number 6: choose the right clothes

During the flight, it is important to feel comfortable - do not wear ties, tight trousers and jackets, give up synthetic fabrics and uncomfortable shoes.

Sneakers, a loose jumper that does not restrict movement, and jeans are ideal.

Tip: If you're on a long flight, don't forget to bring a travel neck pillow.

Trick #7: Maintain Fluid Balance

Drink water instead of alcohol and drugs

“I’m afraid to fly on an airplane, what should I do, what medicines should I take to dull my feelings?” - this question is one of the most popular on the forums of aerophobes.

We answer: none, since a tablet (even two) of valerian is unlikely to help.Serious sedatives and sleeping pills can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor, since it is not known how side effects will manifest themselves at altitude.

But a sufficient amount of liquid will not hurt: the air on board is very dry. Drink plain still water or natural juices. And don't forget to bring hand cream.

Trick #8: Use Useful Mobile Apps

There are quite a few of these specially designed for aerophobes.Just download one of the many on your smartphone and while on board you will be able to observe the angle of roll, speed and altitude, overload during turbulence.

You will also learn a lot of useful technical information: how the plane stays in the air, how the weather affects flight safety, how the aircraft works, how many ships are in flight at a particular moment, etc.There are even special audio trainings that you can listen to on board.

Trick #9: Prepare for turbulence

Don't be afraid of turbulence

Each aircraft periodically enters the turbulence zone.And this is natural, but in the entire history of aviation, no more than 50 people died specifically from turbulence, and then when suitcases fell on their heads or a passenger was not fastened.

The oscillation of the aircraft in the air causes eddy currents of the wind. As a rule, the usual "chatter" does not threaten anything, and the warning of the pilot in 9 cases out of 10 is just a formality.

Tip: some airlines refund passengers if they cancel a flight at the last moment due to aerophobia. To do this, they must provide a medical certificate of health.

Trick #10: Get Professional Help

Attend courses taught by the pilots themselves

If you can’t overcome the fear of heights on your own, seek the help of a psychologist.But remember that one conversation will not be able to fundamentally change the situation, and you will need a course of therapy.

Experienced specialists use virtual simulators that allow them to get used to flying while on the ground - a sense of reality is created using a specially equipped room and computers.Often such courses are taught by former pilots and flight attendants.

Advice: for those who are hard to endure flights, it is better to choose a seat by the window and look out the window more often. This will give you the feeling that you are in control of what is happening.

When the liner soars into the sky, a person is understandably covered with disturbing feelings, as he is torn out of his usual habitat.This fear is especially intensified if the flight takes place for the first time.

Don't deprive yourself of the pleasure of air travel

Sad news reports and artificial winding up of oneself add to the tragedy of the situation: “Everyone flies, but of course, it’s me who will crash.”