00:00Flying might seem a bit more scary as of late, especially after the spate of recent plane malfunctions and crashes.
00:06According to a recent Harris poll, 65% of respondents said they are more nervous about flying in light of all the recent safety incidents.
00:13However, if you just got to fly, therapists say this is how you can manage your newfound aerophobia.
00:18Therapist Perna Menon tells Business Insider, where you sit in a plane can help you manage your fears.
00:24Sitting over the wing is the balance point of the aircraft, meaning you will likely feel less of the bumps and turbulence,
00:29which are anxiety amplifiers. Retired airline captain Tom Bunn adds, it's also best to break your flight into manageable bits.
00:37First focus on getting through takeoff, then focus on imagining still snapshots of each portion of the rest of the flight,
00:42all leading up to having a safe still image in your brain of your plane safely on the tarmac.
00:47Menon says that mindful breathing exercises can also help, similar to those soldiers are taught to remain calm on the battlefield.
00:53That involves 4-7-8 breathing, or inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 7, and then exhaling for 8.
Comments