How to overcome fear of flying

I have always loved travelling. There's always the thrill and excitement of being in an unknown territory. Through my travels, I get the chance to discover a thing or two about the place, its people, history and culture. I get to taste its delicacies, frolic in its beaches, visit its popular spots, and bring home memories - both etched in mind and printed on photographs.

If there's one thing I don't like about travelling, it's flying. Turbulence, bad weather and thoughts of technical engine malfunction bring a big deal of anxiety to me while on board an aircraft.

So I went online and searched for articles on how I can overcome this fear of flying and found out a few helpful tips

Just close your eyes and imagine you are in a bus. According to the experts, turbulence is an everyday normal occurrence and should not be conceived by passengers as a point where pilots are desperately fighting to keep control of the aircraft. The best tip I have read to remain calm when an aircraft is experiencing turbulence is to pretend you are in a bus. I heed this advice during my trip to Vietnam and surprisingly, it worked.

Know how to identify the sounds. When a plane takes off, the landing gear is retracted and sometimes you will hear it. Also at some point the engine power is reduced and you might think that something is wrong or the engines have stopped working but everything is actually ok.

Practice breathing exercise. Inhale from your nose until your tummy expands, hold it for a few seconds and then release air through your mouth. Repeat the process.

Keep in mind that flying is actually the safest way to travel. Statistics show that the possibility of meeting your end is 500-1000 times higher on the road than while on air.

Educate yourself. Considered one of the best treatments to getting over the fear of flying, understanding how a plane flies, navigates in the air will in a way make you feel safer and calmer while flying.

Stay on the window seat. Instead of letting your mind travel to old flicks you have watched about plane crashes, let it settle on the beauty and wonder of God's creation seen through the clouds and colors created by the rising and setting of the sun.

We surely don't want to miss out on opportunities to travel to places by giving in to our fear of flying. So I say let's all conquer our fears and jet set to our next destination...with a rosary on hand.:)