{"id":2093,"date":"2019-01-22T19:37:12","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T18:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/?p=2093"},"modified":"2021-05-27T15:37:30","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:37:30","slug":"overcoming-my-flying-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Overcoming My Flying Anxiety Flying Over Triglav"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Over the years a lot of people are shocked to learn that I have flying anxiety, and ask me why I keep doing it if it scares me so much. I thought I would share my story about my fascination with flying and travel as a young child and how my anxieties developed in my 20&#8217;s, and now in my 30&#8217;s how I deal with it. It is perfectly normal to have anxiety about flying and you don\u2019t need to be ashamed or let it keep you from seeing the world. There are many options to overcome your fears this is just my personal journey.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout this story I wanted to share some photos I took from my first flight in a small propeller plane over the most iconic sights in Slovenia and how I refused to let my flying anxiety keep me from this experience. Also below I made a special video to maybe help some of you face your fears.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2094\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-24.jpg\" alt=\"flying over Slovenia \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-24.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-24-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-24-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-24-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a107c30cd9f7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a107c30cd9f7\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#When_my_flying_fearlessness_ran_out%E2%80%A6\" title=\"When my flying fearlessness ran out&#8230;\">When my flying fearlessness ran out&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#Tip_1_Arrive_even_earlier_to_the_airport\" title=\"Tip #1: Arrive even earlier to the airport\">Tip #1: Arrive even earlier to the airport<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#Tip_2_Pack_24_hours_before_leaving\" title=\"Tip #2: Pack 24 hours before leaving\">Tip #2: Pack 24 hours before leaving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#Tip_3_Sleep_and_Hydrate\" title=\"Tip #3: Sleep and Hydrate!\">Tip #3: Sleep and Hydrate!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#Tip_4_Prepare_in_advance\" title=\"Tip #4: Prepare in advance.\">Tip #4: Prepare in advance.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#Tip_5_Remind_yourself_that_travel_is_not_about_perfection\" title=\"Tip #5: Remind yourself that travel is not about perfection\">Tip #5: Remind yourself that travel is not about perfection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/#Overcoming_my_ultimate_flying_fear\" title=\"Overcoming my ultimate flying fear!\">Overcoming my ultimate flying fear!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_my_flying_fearlessness_ran_out%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>When my flying fearlessness ran out&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I remember as a child when I would see movies or tv shows and a character would fly somewhere and there was something so magical about it. I always wondered when I would get to ride in an airplane and dreamed about all of the places I could go. My first flight I was so young I don\u2019t even remember a moment of it, but my mother recalls me messily eating cookies and maybe causing some anxiety for the businessman sitting next to us. We only flew across Pennsylvania so really I didn\u2019t go anywhere new.<\/p>\n<p>When I was 19 I took my first flight, all alone, from Pennsylvania to California. Thinking back to it I barely remember the details but I definitely do not remember being afraid or anxious. I have no idea how I navigated an airport by myself, but I do remember getting off the plane and being in a new world. This is what I was dreaming about my whole life. Stepping into the unknown and experiencing life again for the first time. That was it. I was hooked.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2096\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-3-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>My next flight wouldn\u2019t be until a few years later when I attended an academic conference in Wisconsin. This is when my fear of flying began.\u00a0Maybe the magic of flying wore off and now the realities of being locked inside a metal bird several miles above the ground going hundreds of miles an hour hit me.<\/p>\n<p>For the next three or four years I began flying more frequently due to studying for my Master\u2019s in New Mexico. Each flight feeling worse than the last. It got to the point of never sleeping before a flight, having some undesirable physical symptoms (I\u2019m so sorry to so many airport restrooms), and having extreme panic attacks on flights. Thank you to all of the flight attendants and passengers that helped me when I didn\u2019t think I would make it through.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2097\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-4.jpg\" alt=\"flying anxiety over slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-4-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-4-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2098\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-6.jpg\" alt=\"flying over slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-6-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-6-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Writing these experiences out for the first time makes me laugh. How can a girl with such an aversion to flying keep getting into planes? Easy. I am addicted to new experiences and I am so stubborn that I couldn\u2019t possibly accept never flying again.<\/p>\n<p>Over the next years I kept flying, more and more frequently. I moved abroad, I moved even further abroad (across an ocean!), I continued to move and to travel from country to country for years. I wish I could tell you the third or fourth flight is when things got better but it\u2019s simply just not true.<\/p>\n<p>While living in the US I was prescribed anxiety medicine so I would take it right before take off. This helped me manage my panic attacks on a handful of flights but one day that bottle ran out and I was determined to get over my fear. I just kept on flying, and I still continue to push through even when I have bad days. I try to pinpoint what exactly causes my anxiety to set off and take care of it. Because every time I step out of the airport in a new place all of the terrible thoughts and feelings I had an hour before were gone. It was worth it every single time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2099\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-5.jpg\" alt=\"overcoming flying anxiety\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-5-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Slowly the extreme feelings of impending death began to be consoled with each safe landing. Slowly I learned how to sleep better (I\u2019m not perfect hah) before a flight and I haven\u2019t been physically ill before flying for a couple years now. I still have rough flights sometimes, especially in cases of turbulence. After countless hours in the sky I still have the occasional panic attack but it doesn\u2019t ruin my entire day or my trip and it definitely doesn\u2019t keep me from flying.<\/p>\n<p>So how did I do it? Here are some tips that helped alleviate the negative side symptoms of flying anxiety.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_1_Arrive_even_earlier_to_the_airport\"><\/span>Tip #1: Arrive <em>even<\/em> earlier to the airport<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2100\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-11.jpg\" alt=\"flying over slovenia \" width=\"1200\" height=\"827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-11.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-11-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-11-768x529.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-11-1024x705.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>My best advice to those attempting to conquer their fear of flying is to figure out what causes those anxieties and try to reduce it as much as possible. For me I recognized that I am more anxious when I felt rushed, there is nothing more panic attack inducing than seeing a mile long line at security or being on the verge of missing a flight. This will cause me to immediately lose control. Now I arrive at the airport with more than enough time so even if one thing goes wrong I still have a buffer and don\u2019t start to spiral before even boarding the plane.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_2_Pack_24_hours_before_leaving\"><\/span>Tip #2: Pack 24 hours before leaving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2101\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-12.jpg\" alt=\"overcoming fear of flying\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-12.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-12-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-12-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I pack at least 24 hours before I fly. This gives me enough time to consider what I packed and what I might have forgot. I can\u2019t tell you how much this eases my flying anxiety. I would stay up all night before flying panicking about what I might have forgot. All of that wasted energy keeping me up when I should be resting well.<\/p>\n<p>Also a bonus tip is to prepare a nice carry on bag. Be sure to prepare a few things to occupy your mind. It might be an audio book, some games (I play 1010! every flight), a book, maybe a notebook and pen (my personal favorite), magazines (travel ones are my go to) or anything to keep your mind busy. I bring several things just to prepare for whatever mood I might be in.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_3_Sleep_and_Hydrate\"><\/span>Tip #3: Sleep and Hydrate!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2102\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-17.jpg\" alt=\"julian alps slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-17.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-17-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-17-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Yeah I know it I sound like a parent. It\u2019s true. Sleeping the night before will help you immensely (says the girl who definitely had anxiety insomnia before flights a few years ago). I\u2019m already packed the morning before so I spend the rest of the day as usual. I also might go to the gym to try to exhaust myself, but I never introduce anything new to my schedule. I try to trick myself that it\u2019s just a normal day and so is tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>Before boarding I buy at least 1 liter of water for the flight. Planes can be very dehydrating. Did you know that dehydration can cause your heart to race, for you to become lightheaded, and your blood pressure drop? Sounds a lot like anxiety. I try to drink a bit of water every so often to make sure my body isn\u2019t occurring any sudden changes. Even the slightest disruption can cause my mind to go through 1001 movie-like scenarios. On this note don\u2019t skip meals! It can have a similar affect to dehydration.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_4_Prepare_in_advance\"><\/span>Tip #4: Prepare in advance.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2103\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-19.jpg\" alt=\"triglav flying slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-19.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-19-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-19-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-19-1024x659.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Those with anxiety know the fear of the unknown busy airport or navigating a foreign city transportation system. Prepare everything well in advance. I make sure to save the address of my hostel or Airbnb not only on my phone but in a small notebook. I also keep specific directions on how to navigate from the airport to my accommodation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_5_Remind_yourself_that_travel_is_not_about_perfection\"><\/span>Tip #5: Remind yourself that travel is not about perfection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2104\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-22.jpg\" alt=\"flying anxiety julian alps slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-22.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-22-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-22-768x540.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-22-1024x720.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There is a lot of pressure for a trip to be perfect. I\u2019m not sure where this comes from but expecting perfection will certainly result in anxiety when things don\u2019t go the way you planned. Yes I know my previous tip said to plan. This plan is specifically practical advice like take this train to this stop and walk 3 blocks to your hostel or how to say hello and thank you in the local language. Enjoy yourself and your surroundings and try to be in the moment rather than in 100 different possible futures (probably none of which will come true) I know it\u2019s easier said than done but be nice to yourself and I promise you day will get better instantly.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overcoming_my_ultimate_flying_fear\"><\/span>Overcoming my ultimate flying fear!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2105\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-25.jpg\" alt=\"lake bled slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-25.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-25-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-25-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-25-1024x687.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Recently, I did something I swore I would never do: fly in a small propeller plane. I said I knew my limits and this was one of them, but I remind you, I am stubborn. I never wanted my fear to keep me from experiencing beautiful things. With a rare opportunity to fly in a small plane above the most iconic sights in Slovenia I forced myself to go through with it. And I can\u2019t tell you how happy I am that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and got into that plane.<\/p>\n<p>The take off was terrifying and when we hit some turbulence I thought I might puke all over the dashboard (thank goodness I didn\u2019t) but the experience of flying in such a small plane and seeing the world from above was so special that I\u2019ve actually already booked another flight.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2106\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-15.jpg\" alt=\"overcoming flying anxiety slovenia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-15.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-15-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/flyinganxietyslovenia-15-1170x780.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I wanted to share this experience because it was so special and important to me so I filmed a video in hopes that it might help others. I filmed the entire take off and landing which I included specifically for those who struggle with this part like I do. Or maybe a flight like this is just not possible for you for a range of reasons (accessibility, finances, etc) but I still want you to experience the absolute beauty of flying in a small plane.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ccunhtlPYXY\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d love to hear your stories about overcoming your flying anxiety or tips to minimize your fears around flying in the comments below. If you jump over to this tweet you can read how other travelers and travel bloggers discuss their anxieties and fears around flying. We might make it look super easy and glamorous but don\u2019t worry no one is perfect.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Any other travelers have a fear of flying??? ????????\u200d\u2640\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m putting the final touches on an article about my story of overcoming my fears and anxieties but I&#8217;d love to hear yours below \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Helene (@wanderinghelene) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wanderinghelene\/status\/1087344236184432643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January 21, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Save this article for later on Pinterest!<\/h3>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/overcome-fear-of-flying.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"500\" data-pin-description=\"Flying anxiety is a very real and difficult thing to handle, especially if you love to travel. I am sharing my experiences as a frequent traveler on how I began to deal with my anxiety and fear or flying. Through exposure techniques I eventually built the courage to ride in a tiny propeller plane, something I swore I'd never do! fear of flying tips | overcoming fear of flying | get over fear of flying | flying anxiety #travel #airplanes #anxiety #mentalhealth\" data-pin-title=\"Tips to Overcome Your Fear of Flying\" \/><\/th>\n<th><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"250\" height=\"500\" \/><\/th>\n<th><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"250\" height=\"500\" \/><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Thank you as always for taking the time to read this article and if you enjoy this content please share it with your friends and follow me on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/wanderinghelene\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wanderinghelene\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> for daily updates!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the years a lot of people are shocked to learn that I have flying anxiety, and ask me why I keep doing it if it scares me so much. I thought I would share my story about my fascination with flying and travel as a young child and how my anxieties developed in my &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/overcoming-my-flying-anxiety\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Overcoming My Flying Anxiety Flying Over Triglav<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,123,90],"tags":[183],"class_list":["post-2093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","category-slovenia","category-travel-tips","tag-gorenjska"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wanderinghelene.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}