by Sandy Davenport
There were a reported 18 Million commercial air flights in the year 2000, on which over 1 Billion people traveled. Amazingly, there were only 20 fatal airplane accidents in the same year. Compared to the almost 42,000 traffic accidents that occurred in 2000, it is reasonable to state that airline travel is much safer than driving by car.
Nevertheless, rational human beings who have no problem racing all over town in their car every day break into a cold sweat and experience other physical and mental symptoms any time they are faced with the thought of flying on a plane.
A critical thing to keep in mind is that, although it may appear that the danger involved with flying is the cause of the apprehension, that is probably not it at all. As with all phobias, it probably stems from anxiety, which can be triggered in many different ways.
For one, there is very little control that an airline passenger has on a commercial flight. If the cabin is hot, you can’t open a window. If it is cramped, it is difficult to make more space. We can’t hit the brakes or control the plane in any way when there is turbulence. In a car we are typically driving or know the driver personally, which makes us feel more secure than a plane, where we can’t even see who the pilot is.
Because we have to relinquish control, little frustrations take on bigger than life proportions on a plane. A little turbulence becomes an out of control plane spinning toward a crash. A runway delay leads to all kinds of negative thoughts as to why the plane can’t take off. Tight quarters close in more and more until we feel there is no escape.
While many are able to identify and conquer these anxieties before their conscious mind even experiences them, there are many more who encounter some form of panic when flying, which may vary in degree from tolerable, to uncomfortable, right up the scale to full out panic attack.
The good news is that there are ways to conquer your fears without drugs or expensive therapy. As with all anxieties, the first step is to understand the cause of the fear, and then it can be faced.
About the Author:
Sandy Davenport enjoys investigating and writing articles about health and wellness, motivation, and self help. To learn more about the
fear of flying visit here to receive a
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Afraid to Fly? You are Not Alone
There were a reported 18 Million commercial air flights in the year 2000, on which over 1 Billion people traveled. Amazingly, there were only 20 fatal airplane accidents in the same year. Compared to the almost 42,000 traffic accidents that occurred in 2000, it is reasonable to state that airline travel is much safer than driving by car.
Nevertheless, rational human beings who have no problem racing all over town in their car every day break into a cold sweat and experience other physical and mental symptoms any time they are faced with the thought of flying on a plane.
A critical thing to keep in mind is that, although it may appear that the danger involved with flying is the cause of the apprehension, that is probably not it at all. As with all phobias, it probably stems from anxiety, which can be triggered in many different ways.
For one, there is very little control that an airline passenger has on a commercial flight. If the cabin is hot, you can’t open a window. If it is cramped, it is difficult to make more space. We can’t hit the brakes or control the plane in any way when there is turbulence. In a car we are typically driving or know the driver personally, which makes us feel more secure than a plane, where we can’t even see who the pilot is.
Because we have to relinquish control, little frustrations take on bigger than life proportions on a plane. A little turbulence becomes an out of control plane spinning toward a crash. A runway delay leads to all kinds of negative thoughts as to why the plane can’t take off. Tight quarters close in more and more until we feel there is no escape.
While many are able to identify and conquer these anxieties before their conscious mind even experiences them, there are many more who encounter some form of panic when flying, which may vary in degree from tolerable, to uncomfortable, right up the scale to full out panic attack.
The good news is that there are ways to conquer your fears without drugs or expensive therapy. As with all anxieties, the first step is to understand the cause of the fear, and then it can be faced.
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