Aviophobia: how to overcome your fear of flying?

What is aviophobia?

Aviophobia is defined as “an unreasonable fear of flying”. There are several degrees of aviophobia, from moderate anxiety to total panic. Some people with aviophobia will feel a strong apprehension that will begin several days before the trip and will be at its peak during takeoff. We then often find the following symptoms: hyperventilation, tense muscles, nausea, the heart beating faster or the feeling of detaching from one’s body.

When the anxiety is very high, the symptoms can go as far as heart palpitations, tremors of the limbs, difficulty in breathing or even real feelings of terror which can lead to flight. These extreme phobics often cannot set foot on a plane. They must therefore favor other means of transport, at the risk of definitively excluding certain destinations from their travel plans.

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Aviophobia: how to prepare well before a plane trip?

First, it is possible to put in place some habits that will allow a person who is afraid of flying to live better the few days before the trip, but also to be more relaxed when boarding. It is possible to reduce your level of anxiety through relaxation techniques such as cardiac coherence, which is an anti-stress breathing exercise, or meditation.

Aromatherapy can also help, with essential oils helping to feel better. It is also advisable to take the time to choose your seat carefully. A seat near the window can provide entertainment while looking outside, while a seat near the aisle may be more reassuring for some people. Finally, do not hesitate to warn the flight crew that you suffer from aviophobia before takeoff. They will be able to find the right words to reassure the passenger and will be better prepared in the event of a major panic attack.

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How do you permanently overcome your fear of flying?

If the degree of aviophobia is high enough and it becomes disabling, it is possible to carry out therapy. Fear of the plane crashing, of being locked in a closed space for hours, of not having control over events… The therapist can help identify the origin of the anxiety and then work on it. In some cases, a health professional may even recommend a drug treatment that will allow the traveler to better manage his anxiety during the flight.

You should also know that there are courses organized by airlines or private organizations to overcome the phobia of the plane. It is generally a day during which you can ask all your questions about the technical operation of an aircraft, in order to be able to rationalize the danger, and be put in a situation thanks to a flight simulator or flight experience. in virtual reality. As with all phobias, the important thing is then to move forward step by step to be able to envisage one day living a plane trip serenely.

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