For those with a fear of flying, the rational statistics about air travel safety often vanish the moment you step onto the plane. The overwhelming concern becomes simply getting through the flight without panic and arriving safely. I understand this feeling intimately. During boarding, I often feel overwhelmed by anxiety, making it difficult to recall logical reassurances. That’s why I rely on a ‘cheat sheet’ – a list of simple, true statements to anchor me. Here are some affirmations that help me manage my fear:
1. Every day, millions of people take countless flights without incident. These routine journeys rarely make the news because they are uneventful.
2. Airplanes are designed for flight; it’s their optimal environment. They are most stable and efficient in the air.
3. Air isn’t empty space; it’s a dense fluid, like Jell-O. The plane is supported by massive columns of air, providing a solid foundation despite its invisibility.
4. Turbulence is similar to driving over bumps in a car. It may be unsettling, but it doesn’t damage the plane. The wings are engineered to withstand far greater forces.
5. Aircraft are built to endure stresses far exceeding those encountered in normal flight conditions. Safety margins are substantial.
6. Pilots and flight crews are highly trained professionals who fly daily. The sky is their workplace, and they are experts in their field.
7. Pilots undergo rigorous, repetitive training for every conceivable scenario, including situations you might not even imagine.
8. Planes have redundant backup systems, ensuring safe operation even if multiple systems experience malfunctions.
9. The noises you hear during the flight are typically normal operational sounds, indicating the plane is functioning as intended.
10. The flight is temporary. You will get through it one minute at a time and arrive at your destination.
The effectiveness of each statement varies depending on the specific fear triggering my anxiety. Repeating these points helps reinforce their reality and diminish the power of fear. I try to visualize the pilot calmly performing their job, a profession they’ve trained for and love. They are focused on safely delivering passengers to their destinations, and I am just one of many they will transport today.
Repeating these affirmations helps me regain composure and escape the cycle of fear. Your list might differ, but the principle remains: having a readily accessible reminder of reassuring facts can make all the difference. That’s why I always carry my ‘cheat sheet’ of power statements on every flight.