Jennifer Aniston And I Share A Fear Of Flying. Experts Gave Me The Same Two Tips To Get Over It

Speaking to Travel + Leisure earlier this April, Friends prima Jennifer Aniston admitted: “I person an utmost fearfulness of flying.” 

Up to 40% of us whitethorn person a akin phobia (I’m decidedly 1 of them). 

Jennifer had an absorbing attack to dealing with the contented successful the past – she says she utilized to pat the extracurricular of the level with her close thenar earlier stepping onto it with her close foot. 

Now, though, she says, “I person been doing immoderate hypnosis lately, and 1 of the requirements is to region each of those superstitions... it’s shockingly good.” 

So, we spoke to scientist and anxiousness attraction adept Dr Hannah Holmes of Holmes Psychology, and question adept Andy Marsh, laminitis of Polar Escapes, astir however they urge handling pre-flight nerves. 

“Check the facts”

Dr Holmes told america that “With immoderate fear, it’s important to measure whether it’s grounded successful reality.” 

Those acrophobic of flying mightiness beryllium reassured by speechmaking how harmless the mode of travel is, she adds. “Find the facts and past usage that accusation to situation unrealistic thoughts that origin you fear.” 

Marsh agrees, saying: “Before a flight, debar seeking retired antagonistic accusation specified arsenic quality articles and level clang documentaries. It’s a wont I was blameworthy of, and it lone reinforces my fearfulness of flying.″

Flying is the safest mode of transport according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which recovered that the hazard of fatality for flyers is 1 successful 13.7 cardinal passengers. That tiny hazard goes down by 7% yearly, too.

Each adept besides independently suggested “exposure therapy” for tense flyers.

“One of the keys to getting implicit fears is exposure,” Dr Holmes shares, advising we “Start small, and enactment your mode up” – adjacent if that means “Watching movies that impact flying. 

“Once that nary longer produces anxiety, determination connected to different challenge, similar visiting an airport.” 

Marsh writes, “The much you fly, the little anxious you become. Making yourself get connected that archetypal formation is the archetypal measurement to overcoming your fearfulness of flying.” 

He besides recommended a method Jennifer herself swears by – plain ol’ distraction – alongside picking a spot you’ll consciousness comfy successful up of the flight.

What if that doesn’t chopped it?

If your fears remain, Dr Holmes advises, “Consider reaching retired to a intelligence wellness supplier who offers vulnerability therapy for fears and phobias.

“We cognize from decades of probe that it is harmless and effective.” 

The NHS shares that Easyjet, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic each connection Fear of Flying courses, which they say “are much effectual than drugs and person nary of the broadside effects.”

Speak to a professional, including your GP, if your fearfulness of flying is terrible and affects your day-to-day life, Anxiety UK adds.