Anxious, but Make It Airborne

Most of us probably know someone who has a fear of flying. In fact, according to Verywell Mind, it ranks high in the top 10 most common phobias. But did you know that many people who struggle with flight anxiety’s main fear isn’t that the plane will crash? It’s actually frequently related to the experience of flying. Small aisles, packed seats, no way to get off the plane once it takes off, these things can make people, especially those who experience panic attacks or deal with claustrophobia, feel trapped. 

What if I have a panic attack on the plane? You might. Keep reading to find out why that’s not as big of a problem as you may fear.

Panic attacks are panic attacks no matter where they occur (even 30,000 feet above the ground.) They pose no real danger, so despite the strong urge to get out, they don’t require you to get off the plane or really do anything at all. You’re probably not the only one experiencing this either. Flight attendants are trained to deal with passengers having anxiety or panic attacks due to how frequently this occurs. 

On the other hand, if turbulence terrifies you, I present to you, the Jello theory. The Jello theory is a visualization technique for nervous flyers that went viral a few years ago on social media sites like TikTok. 

The Concept: Picture a toy plane trapped in the center of a bowl of Jello. When you shake the bowl, the Jello moves, but the toy remains securely floating inside the Jello.

The Science: Because planes travel at high speeds (around 600 mph), they create significant air pressure around them, making the air "thick", like Jello. Turbulence shakes the plane, but it does not remove the supporting air pressure. The theory suggests that for a plane to drop, it would need to lose the speed that keeps it floating in that thick air.

Next time you fly, try accepting that you may panic. I know it’s easier said than done but removing resistance can help significantly. If your fear is so strong that you avoid flying altogether, try starting with a short flight or taking a loved one with you. As you increase your tolerance to panic attacks and the nasty physical sensations that come along with them (by staying where you are and not pushing the feelings away), you will begin to fear them less. When you fear them less, they pass a lot more quickly and can tend to happen less. Take it from me. A once very anxious flyer who has been on four flights in the last two and a half weeks. When you have to be somewhere because it’s important to you, you do it. Anxiety and all.