Dealing with Flight Anxiety

Terrific trips planned after a thorough review of cheap traveloptions, including cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, cheap auto rentals, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages cansometimes be spoiled because of serious flight anxiety.

Over 25 million Americans suffer from some form of flightnervousness. Aerophobia (fear of flying)is the second biggest fear in America after public speaking. Such a fear is not based on fact given thatyour chances of dying in a plane crash are about one in 10 million vs. one in272 of dying in a car crash.

The following are time tested strategies from experts forkeeping nerves in check while in the air collected by Budget Travel:

• Giveyour phobia a name. It is important topinpoint the cause of your fear before can take the next step. Different aspects of flying trigger differentfears. One person may be afraid ofturbulence while another has germaphobic tendencies and may be preoccupied withthe possibility of the spread of germs in a confined space.

• Sometimespeople can effectively combat anxiety by gaining more information. Before flying read about the typical bumpsand noises that may occurring during a flight. Often it helps to understand just how rigorous safety measures are ofaircrafts. By becoming moreknowledgeable, your concerns may be limited by the facts.

• Themore you know about what causes turbulence and how much of it you can expectwhile flying the less likely you will be afraid of it. There is an iTunes app named Turbcast whichanalyzes weather patterns providing fliers information on air pockets andthunderstorms that can cause turbulence.

• Carrya photo of your destination. Studieshave shown that visualizing your destination and imagining yourself there canbe a powerful antidote to stress. Another approach is to imagine yourself in a safe place where you feelcomfortable such as your bedroom or a beach. The key is to take your mind off the things that make you nervous aboutflying by focusing on positive aspects of your trip.

• Avoidcoffee and alcohol in flight and immediately prior to your departure. Alcohol can make it harder for your body toadjust to flying and result in a bad bout of jet lag.

• Carryon a book you have already started or watch a TV show you already know. Distraction works.

• Shareyou fear of flying with flight attendants. This often results in receiving extra attention during the flight.

• Embraceairline safety information. Knowing thatyou are prepared for anything often is empowering. Take the time to read the airline safety cardin the seat pocket in front of you. Consider requesting a seat in the back of the plane which is the safestpart of a plane in the event of a crash.

• Deepbreathing is important during takeoff and landing or at other points during theflight where you experience anxiety. Deep breaths trigger a calming response and can help preventhyperventilation. Try maintaining arelaxed posture and not cling to your chairs armrests, since that can heightenanxiety.

• Carrya relaxation remedy to use as a last resort, such as fast acting anxietymedications like Xanax or Valium. Remember the downside of taking such medicine is that you may feel tiredfor hours after your plane has landed. Non prescription herbal remedies such as St. Johns Wort or Scullcap mayhelp calm nerves.