Ever notice how fear always has a name? My phobia is called aviophobia (fear of flying) and it sports a hefty following--about a quarter of the population. The funny thing is, I’ve flown on multiple occasions and I’ve never been medicated or slapped with a straight jacket yet. See, phobias are tricky business. They anchor to the child within and they can wrap their invisible tentacles around you so tight that they hold you captive for a lifetime.
Think happy thoughts. It sounds silly, but remember that you are dealing with an irrational fear. Phobias appeal to the part of us that hides in plain sight—our subconscious. While we’re operating on the conscious level, there’s a foul plot afoot in the background stirring up trouble. By focusing on positive thoughts, we can muffle the negativity of the phobia screaming the background. Playful puppies, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens are just a few examples of these warm, fuzzy thoughts. Try to be horrified while thinking about your baby’s happy laughter, the funniest scene in your favorite movie or a tiny kitten wobbling to keep its footing. Simply not possible!
Breathe. Just breathe. When we’re anxious, we breathe rapidly shallow, so oxygen isn’t getting where it needs to be. Breathing deeply is a natural way to calm yourself and literally imagine your fears leaving your body as you exhale. I’m not suggesting you crook your body into Downward-facing Dog position in an airplane aisle or OHM your way across a bridge over water. But, if it helps, well...do what you must! The last time I flew, I practiced breathing deep to calm my shaking hands and before I knew it, I started to feel so calm that I almost drifted off to sleep. Needless to say, the guy in the seat next to me was very entertained for the duration of the flight! I was entirely soothed for the last half of the hour long flight because I remembered how to breathe from a yoga class.
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Tap in to yourself. If there is one thing I’ve learned from facing my own phobias, it’s that when you grasp the idea that you have the innate ability to calm yourself down, the idea that you can choose to overcome the fear, then you are empowered. You are literally in control of yourself and your fear. Your phobia wants you to think that you are a victim who just has to suffer until it’s over. Remember that your mind is a very powerful thing. It creates the fear, but it can also defeat it.
If you still can’t face your fears on your own, please do seek professional help. There are plenty of local therapists who have experience helping people overcome their fears and medication that can help, as well. Some clinics more specialized towards phobias and anxieties are Creative Therapy Services or The Anxiety and Stress Management Institute.
