I used to fear flying, not entirely trusting the physics that get a heavy plane into the air and across the country. That all changed when I met a retired Delta pilot at a dinner party. He got his flying experience as a fighter pilot in Vietnam, an inarguably dangerous experience that made commercial piloting a pure joy for him.
He regaled us with stories of his Delta years in the ’70s, when pilots left the cockpit to deal with unruly passengers, international flights were a dress-up event, and the skies were figuratively the limit. His enthusiasm for his Delta days made me reframe my attitude about flying as something to be excited about, not feared.
Not everyone can spend an evening listening to pilot stories. But if flying makes you nervous, below are suggestions from a Cleveland Clinic psychologist that may make your next flight less stressful.
-Marie Elium
We’ve all heard that flying is the safest way to travel, but you’re not alone if you still get anxious before stepping on a plane.
“Flying is stressful. Over 25 million Americans indicate that they have some level of fear around flying, so it is quite common,” explains Susan Albers, PsyD, a psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.
For some, it can mean sleepless nights and a little bit of anxiety. For others, it can be debilitating.
To curb any anxiety before your next flight, Dr. Albers recommends reading up on the safety statistics about flying. Watching different videos about how planes work and what passengers experience can help, as well. As for the day of your flight, Dr. Albers suggests arriving at the airport early to avoid any added stress. If nerves strike before boarding, try to focus on all the things you’re looking forward to once you land.
It’s also a good idea to bring something to keep you busy during the flight.
“Focus on creating a calming environment. Whether it’s bringing noise-cancelling headphones or downloading a movie on your tablet, find something to help keep your mind distracted so you’re not ruminating or worrying. This is going to help your flight go much faster and reduce your anxiety,” Dr.Albers says.
If flying still makes you nervous, Dr. Albers recommends seeing a mental health professional for even more strategies to overcome your fear.
