The 2 big mistakes to avoid before flying

Fear of flying is a common phenomenon. Although it may seem insurmountable, there are ways of managing this fear and flying with complete peace of mind. However, it's important to be aware of the mistakes to avoid before you fly to avoid making the situation worse. In this article, we'll explore common mistakes and how to avoid them to make your journey more enjoyable.

Taking medication when you're scared of flying

To help you manage the stress of flying, many of you take medication to relieve your stress. You're probably thinking that a little Xanax before you take off can't hurt.

At the time, it's true that the medication may bring you some comfort. The problem is that it has no effect whatsoever on the causes of your stress. In practical terms, this means that your fear of flying will still be with you the next time you have to take a plane. This is because you are not acting on the cause of your stress, but only on its consequences.

An anxiolytic may also knock you out or put you to sleep. So yes, you may sleep during the flight and suffer less from the effects of stress, but you won't really be refreshed and ready to go when you arrive at your destination. And if you have to hit the road immediately afterwards to get to your hotel, it could become dangerous for you and for others...

There are other, more effective ways of managing your fear of flying!

Drinking alcohol to calm your fear of flying

Another solution to avoid when you're afraid of flying is to drink alcohol before you get to the airport. As with medication, it will actually affect your state of consciousness, and perhaps make you a little more "perky" at the idea of taking the plane.

Here again, however, we don't think this is a good idea. Firstly, taking alcohol to deal with a problem is rarely a good idea 😉. Secondly, the causes of the stress still exist in your head, and will come back to haunt you on your next trip.

If you're paralysed by the fear of flying, consider finding out about anti-flight phobia courses. You'll get to know yourself better, identify the causes of your fear of flying and be able to get rid of it, or at least make your future flight bearable.

Not to mention that there is a slight confusion. While alcohol has a euphoric and sedative effect, it has absolutely no effect on feelings of anxiety. In some people, it can even amplify it.

What's more, in the blood, alcohol even becomes an anxiety-inducer and can cause a headache. Even a small amount of alcohol is enough to increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Together, these two conditions increase the risk of panic attacks. And if you've been drinking and you have a panic attack, guess what? The impaired judgement and disinhibiting effect are even stronger.

2 best practices for overcoming your fear of flying

Now that we've seen what you shouldn't do before flying to manage your stress, let's look at two methods that work. And you'll see, they're very simple and easy to put in place!

Rest

Yes, it may sound silly, but many of you arrive at the airport tired (which is understandable, as you're not sleeping because of the stress).

Our advice is: get some rest in the days leading up to your flight. The more rested you are, the clearer your head will be. This will give you a little more peace of mind when it's time to fasten your seatbelt.

Sport

Do a sports session before you take off! It can help limit stress: physical exercise reduces anxiety and improves your mood. It depletes energy and adrenaline reserves, reducing the state of hyper-vigilance associated with fear of flying.

Training to overcome fear of flying

The courses offer a structured approach to overcoming fear of flying. You will understand the causes of your fear and learn techniques to manage it. A companion can also offer additional benefits if you suffer from an intense fear of flying. An experienced companion can provide personalised support and advice to help you overcome your fear. You will practice techniques such as breathing and visualisation to manage your anxiety.