Try sophrology techniques to calm fear of flying

Do you dread travelling by an airplane due to your fear of flying? Aside from flight simulators and psychotherapy, sophrology sessions can help you manage this complex phobia. The visualisation-based technique should ideally be started two months before takeoff for optimal preparation.

Learn to relax, learn to breathe: For a lot of people, flying is experienced as a loss of control, and can lead to symptoms caused by a state of hypervigilance such as palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling of suffocation, sweaty palms, shaking or trembling, dizziness, hot flashes. However, certain breathing techniques have a calming effect. For instance, breathe in for four seconds using a deep abdominal breathing technique, then breathe out for six seconds — around six breaths a minute.

Visualize each stage of the journey: This allows you to rehearse the experience, so when the big day arrives, it doesn’t feel like the first time.

Target the most stressful phase: While common fears include accidents, technical problems and crashes, the root of the phobia won’t be the same for each flyer. Get as close as possible mentally to their specific blockage, progressively undoing the negative association established by the brain.

A VISUALISATION-BASED TECHNIQUE, IT SHOULD BE STARTED TWO MONTHS BEFORE TAKEOFF FOR OPTIMAL PREPARATION

PHOTO: ISTOCK