In recent years, over-tourism has forced Venice to introduce a daytripper fee to combat congestion on some of the city's busiest days, and Sardinia has introduced a reservation system for some of its most popular beaches.
16.03.2024 - 21:44 / insider.com
For those who have a fear of flying, stepping onto an airplane can be anxiety-inducing.
As someone who's visited nearly 40 countries — and has gotten off a flight due to the fear of flying — I've come up with several techniques to help manage my flight anxiety.
Here are seven tips for making air travel more bearable — and maybe even more enjoyable.
For flyers prone to anxiety, drinking coffee on the day of a flight will likely make things worse.
According to Health.com, the stimulants found in coffee beans can cause the body to mimic symptoms of anxiety. For already anxious flyers, it's best to save the coffee for after landing.
Personally, I like to view it as a treat for when I land. If anything, it helps me sleep more easily, which makes the flight go by more quickly.
I like to engage in activities that divert attention away from my anxious thoughts during flights. I typically save new shows I'm excited to watch for the plane.
I also have a go-to album that I always listen to when there's turbulence during my flight — my current favorite is Coldplay's "Live in Buenos Aires."
A good distraction can help occupy your mind, and soon enough, you'll move past the moment of fear.
To prioritize your comfort during a flight, consider upgrading to a premium seat. If a first-class ticket isn't within your budget, choose a seat closer to the aircraft's wings, where turbulence is typically less noticeable.
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Personally, I love choosing a window seat so that I can take a peek at what's going on during the flight.
From reading books to scouring social media, there are many ways to demystify the air-travel experience. Sometimes, understanding the common sounds and movements experienced on a plane can help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding it.
To connect with others who have a fear of flying, I recommend engaging with social media communities, like the "Fear of Flying Forum" on Facebook. This group provides valuable support and insight on flying.
There are even seasoned pilots in the group to aid in education on what turbulence is, what different noises mean, and the various conditions that planes can fly in.
If you get nervous mid-flight, flight attendants can typically talk you through common in-flight experiences like turbulence. They've even come to my rescue many times with cold towels to help calm me down.
It's important to recognize that excessive worrying about hypothetical scenarios does not correlate with what's happening in reality. I remind myself that worrying is suffering twice, and anxiety focuses on the worst-case scenario.
I know it's much easier said than done, but the more you repeat these things in your mind, the more your brain will start to see them as the truth.
Reflec
In recent years, over-tourism has forced Venice to introduce a daytripper fee to combat congestion on some of the city's busiest days, and Sardinia has introduced a reservation system for some of its most popular beaches.
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