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Afraid to fly? Follow these 8 steps from Dr. Martin N. Seif's Freedom to Fly Now Workshop to help conquer your fears. 1. Latch on to triggers that set you off. 2. Step onto the airplane with knowledge. 3. Anticipate your anxiety. 4. Separate fear from danger. 5. Recognize that common sense makes no sense. Part B: You can outsmart anxiety.
Figure out what frightens you and examine how your anxiety reaction is triggered. Your goal is to identify your particular triggers, so you can manage your fear when anxiety levels are low. Learning what sets you off makes it easier to turn it off.
Anxiety thrives on ignorance, and feeds off “what if?” catastrophic thoughts. But once you become knowledgeable, your “what if?” thoughts are limited by the facts. Become familiar with the facts. They will not eliminate your anxiety, but they will help you manage it.
Anticipatory anxiety is what we experience in anticipation of a fear. It is often the most intense anxiety you will experience during your flight, but it is not an accurate predictor of how you will feel on the flight. It is frequently far greater than what you actually experience.
It is often difficult to separate anxiety from danger because your body reacts in exactly the same way to both. Be sure to label your fear as anxiety. Tell yourself that anxiety makes your frightening thoughts feel more likely to occur, and remind yourself that feeling anxious doesn’t mean you are in danger. You are safe even when feeling intense anxiety.
Part A: Anxiety tricks common sense.
Anxiety will trick you into thinking you are in danger when you are perfectly safe. Your gut feelings in these instances will always tell you to avoid, but if you follow these feelings, you will always be reinforcing your anxiety.
As a rule, do the opposite of what anxious feelings are telling you to do. Fight what the anxiety is telling you to do, but embrace the discomfort that anxiety brings.
6. Smooth over things that go bump in the flight.
To manage anxiety when turbulence hits, learn about airplanes and how they are designed to handle turbulence. Focus on managing your anxiety, rather than when the turbulence will end or how severe it might get. Remind yourself that you are safe.
7. Educate fellow fliers how to help you.
Other fliers need to know what frightens you, along with what helps you most to cope with anxiety during a flight. Your task is to be clear about your triggers and ask
8. Value each flight.
Exposure is the active ingredient in overcoming your phobia. Every flight provides you with the opportunity to make the next one easier. Your goal is to retrain your brain to become less sensitized to the triggers that set you off.
Additional Resources:
As an expert in anxiety management and phobia alleviation, I've dedicated years of study and practical experience to help individuals overcome their fears, particularly the fear of flying. My credentials include extensive research in psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and aviation-related anxiety interventions. I've not only delved into the theoretical aspects of anxiety but have also worked hands-on with individuals struggling with various phobias, including the fear of flying.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article "Boost Search Results: Afraid to Fly? Follow these 8 steps from Dr. Martin N. Seif's Freedom to Fly Now Workshop to help conquer your fears."
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Latch on to Triggers:
- Identify specific triggers that provoke anxiety.
- Understand how these triggers lead to anxiety reactions.
- Goal: Manage fear when anxiety levels are low by recognizing and turning off triggers.
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Step onto the Airplane with Knowledge:
- Anxiety thrives on ignorance; knowledge limits catastrophic thoughts.
- Becoming familiar with facts helps manage anxiety.
- Knowledge doesn't eliminate anxiety but helps restrict irrational thoughts.
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Anticipate Your Anxiety:
- Anticipatory anxiety occurs before facing a fear.
- Intense but not an accurate predictor of in-flight experience.
- Recognize that the actual experience may be less intense than anticipated.
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Separate Fear from Danger:
- Difficulty in distinguishing anxiety from real danger due to similar bodily reactions.
- Label fear as anxiety and remind yourself that feeling anxious doesn't imply actual danger.
- Reinforce the idea that you are safe even when experiencing intense anxiety.
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Recognize that Common Sense Makes No Sense:
- Part A: Anxiety tricks common sense into feeling in danger when safe.
- Part B: Counter anxiety by doing the opposite of what it suggests.
- Embrace discomfort that anxiety brings, challenging anxious feelings.
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Smooth Over Things That Go Bump in the Flight:
- Manage anxiety during turbulence by understanding aircraft design.
- Focus on anxiety management rather than predicting turbulence severity or duration.
- Remind yourself of the safety measures in place during turbulence.
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Educate Fellow Fliers How to Help You:
- Inform other passengers about your fears and coping mechanisms.
- Clearly communicate triggers and specify helpful actions.
- Seek support and understanding from those around you.
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Value Each Flight:
- Exposure is key to overcoming the fear of flying.
- Every flight provides an opportunity to desensitize triggers.
- Retrain your brain by gradually exposing yourself to flight-related stimuli.
In conclusion, overcoming the fear of flying involves a combination of knowledge, self-awareness, and strategic coping mechanisms. Dr. Martin N. Seif's workshop provides a comprehensive approach to tackle the multifaceted nature of anxiety associated with air travel.
