Fear of flying, also called aviophobia, is one of the most common modern phobias. It is a sort of anxiety disorder which makes people focus on something that might happen rather than what is happening.

We all have our little demons that do not let us live happily. As soon as we are born we are built to think on what will happen if this or that. We also have anxieties on are we liked by the others and what we will do if we are alone in untypical situation. In short, there is nothing scary about it, because fear of flying is within us and therefore we can control it.

Thinking on this, have you ever had problems crossing a busy crossroad without traffic lights? I always do. Especially when I check the numbers according to which the risk of motor vehicle accident is 1 out of 7,700 compared to the risk of air carriers which is 1 out of 2,067,000. Still not feeling safer onboard?

You can help yourself. To be able to fight your aviophobia first you should think why you have these fears. Some of the most frequent reasons are:

• People do not trust the plane, the pilot and the cabin crew.
• Are afraid of the weather conditions or feel uncomfortable when in turbulence.
• Feel unsafe in general.
• Hate flying overwater or at night, as well as hate heights in general.
• Take offs and landings make them freak out.
• Feel not in control and tapped.
• Are afraid of terrorism.

How to deal with the raising panic?

• Focus on the present rather than your imaginative what-if nightmares.
• Be realist about the danger, airplanes do not fall just like that. Read some literature on airplanes. I have a friend who had fears of flying and then little by little with so many articles read became truly passionate about aviation.
• Trust the cabin crew. These cute and nice ladies and gents are not there just to serve whiskey. Actually they are well trained machines for evacuation and are really prepared to safe you.
• Learn to control your breath. Breathing is essential to our body and can calm our feelings. Inhale. Fill your lungs to the bottom up. Exhale slowly.
• Think positive.

Share your aerophobia guidelines. What you do, what you don’t when traveling by airplane?