FEAR OF FLYING? DON'T FLEE - EMBRACE IT!

If you are one of those more than a million daily airline passengers ‘scared to death’, don't flee in terror but embrace the situation ‘as is’. Embrace? Learn more about…

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND
 

Ronny Buck from Evanston, IL, asks:
 
I am all but a timid man. But don’t get me to the airport for a flight. Any advice to fight these bad emotions best, Doc?
 
Dr. Fritz:
 
Don’t we all dream of those days when our ancestors crossed the continent in a stagecoach, earthbound?
 
But let’s be fair: at the same time, we appreciate fly-over travel to get from A to Z in no time, isn’t it? With more than 42,000 flights per day in the U.S., carrying 2,5 million passengers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.  
 

 SCIENTIFICALLY VALIDATED IMPLICATIONS

Still, more than half of airline passengers suffer from hypoxia before and during flights, a biologic phenomenon with different mental and physical inconveniences, ranging from just jitters to full-blown panic attacks.

Based on a comprehensive study elaborated at Ghent University in Ghent, Belgium, with flight passengers completing 3 analyses, the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire, the Flight Anxiety Modality Questionnaire, as well as the Anxiety Sensitivity Index.  

lthough there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to manage fear of flying (aviophobia) and hypoxia, respectively, refraining from booking the next available flight may not be necessarily a wise decision.
 
Instead, let’s elaborate on some other ideas, based on research at, inter alia, the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, Harvard Business School in Boston, MA, and the University of Toronto, Canada.
 
What to do before the flight?
 
Most important is careful preparation ahead of the flight, and in time. E.g., don’t pack up in last minute and rush to the airport. This may relieve cortisol, a leading stress hormones with negative consequences, such as increase of heart rate, blood pressure, and sugar in blood stream.
 
Also, wear comfortable clothes to support relaxation.
 
What to do during flight?
 
Try to reserve (or change for) an aisle seat to avoid looking out of the window and realizing that you are no more feet down to earth…
 
Stay hydrated for optimal brain function.

CONCLUSION

If fear still mounts, don't try 'pushing away’ your anxiety which is worsening. Rather,
e m b r a c e  your fear, and you may feel much better psychologically.

QUESTIONS?

Just contact us!
 

DISCLAIMER

All information stated in this blog are for your personal education, and not to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.