Aerophobia, commonly known as the fear of flying, is when a person has a fear of being on aeroplanes and helicopters. To most people, being in aeroplanes conjures up so much terror that they might lash out in fear.

Studies show that aerophobia is more or less a symptom of other disorders such as claustrophobia, where someone is afraid of being in spaces they cannot escape from. The fear of flying is also associated with people that suffer from anxiety, especially when they are in situations they cannot easily control.

In some cases, aerophobia is caused by being involved in a prior flight accident, witnessing an aero accident, claustrophobia, agoraphobia, not being in control, fear of heights, and in others because they have never used air travel before.

You can know a person who has the phobia when;

• Panic attacks when you mention air travel
• Throwing up at the thought of being in air
• Shortness of breath when they get on the plane
• Unsettled especially when the plane takes off
• Usually attempts to leave the flight

In some cases, the distress an aerophobic person feels when the plane takes flight is so extreme that they have to be sedated or calmed by flight attendants.

There are some ways that aerophobia can be treated or that can help one get a hold of the fear.

Therapy

Most people do not know how counseling and talking to a professional psychologist can help with some situations, but therapy is a vital step in finding a solution to a problem you cannot seem to get over. It is when you visit a therapist that you will help you identify why you have this issue and how you can deal with it and not be afraid of flying.

Pharmaceutical help

There is medication that is prescribed to people with disorders such as aerophobia to help them deal with it and not affect their da -to-day life. The medication is usually prescribed to you by a professional psychologist after a session. It is advisable for you to avoid buying any over-the-counter medications when it comes to disorders; always seek medical advice before purchasing.

Hypnotherapy

Though not common hypnotherapy is practiced all over the world to help people especially when it comes to anxiety and weight loss. Hypnotherapy helps you easily face some of the core issues that lead to aerophobia so that you can deal with them and come to a better place. Although not proven, it is one of the most recommended therapy ideas for people with disorders.

Educate yourself

It is common knowledge that fear thrives on ignorance of the unknown, so why not decide to fight aerophobia with knowledge of what you don’t know about flying. Familiarise yourself with facts and statistics about air travel. Look up some of the successes of the airline you will be using and beat that anxiety with facts.

Focus on the positive

This can seem hard especially when you get a crippling bout of anxiety. However, when you stop looking at how many crashes you have heard about, or the hijackings happening around the world, you might just relax and enjoy your journey.

Every time you fly, take it as another opportunity to see the world and learn new things; quell fear with excitement about what is lying ahead. Yes, it is hard, but step by step your anxiety will slowly wane out.

People have very different ideas about what the perfect holiday entails, depending on if they prefer an active break, one sat by the pool or something more culturally inspiring. Other factors such as the time of year, people going on the trip and other planned holidays will all impact how you view your perfect holiday each year.

We’ve put together 3 different options for this year’s holidays which are all very different but equally entertaining if it’s the kind of holiday you’re looking for.

Golf Holiday in Portugal

For golf enthusiasts, a golf holiday in a sunny climate will always be heaven. Given the issues the UK has with its weather, golfers have to scrape around for suitable times to get out on the course for a round. This isn’t an issue in Portugal, where the weather can be relied upon and you can relax and enjoy the golf. A Portugal golf holiday is also great for a family break as there is plenty to see and do in the area for those that don’t want to play golf. From beautiful beaches to thriving shopping scenes and the stunning scenery of places like the Algarve, this really is a fantastic place to keep the whole family entertained.

Volunteering in Nepal

Volunteering might not sound like everyone’s idea of a holiday, but if you want to do something while you’re away and offer something productive as well as personally rewarding then this is a great opportunity. Obviously it also requires someone with a little more time on their hands for their hols as these types of projects are often longer than a couple of weeks. Long term volunteering in Nepal is a great way to get fully immersed in the Nepalese culture, get to know the locals and also offer something to the local communities. All the while you’ll be living in stunning surroundings in the foothills of the Himalayas surrounded by incredible views and breathtaking scenery. Makes a change from sitting by the pool in Spain…

Staycation in the UK

The UK is a beautiful place in itself and often people travel all over the world without actually exploring what is on their doorstep. In these difficult economic times, ‘staycations’ are becoming ever more popular and its no surprise given the amount of great things there are to see and do here. Visit the amazing array of cities on offer, venture into the beautiful countryside or explore the history of a nation steeped in historical significance. Creating an affordable UK break is easy if you put your mind to it. Travelling in groups means you can find large accommodation for groups at better value and will also save on transport costs – it’ll also probably mean you’ll have more fun if you assemble a good group of friends! Don’t count the UK out, your perfect holiday could be right in front of you.