The increase in the number of cheap flights offered by budget airlines has meant that more and more people are able to take to the skies. But with as many as one in five people suffering from a fear of flying means there will be many reluctant passengers onboard. So what can be done to ease the suffering?

Here are some things you can do to ease the pain of flying.

Turbulence is felt more severely at the back of the plane, so ask if you can be seated as near to the cabin as possible. If you do experience turbulence try to stay calm and to go with the flow of the aircrafts movements.

Do as much as you can to keep yourself occupied. Aircraft used for long-haul flights are normally equipped with all the latest entertainment, so make the most of it and watch whatever movies they have on offer.

Avoid drinking too much coffee or other caffeine products as an overly-hyped state of mind can exacerbate anxiety. Dehydration can also contribute to feelings of fear, so drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinking too much alcohol. You are far more susceptible to dehydration during a long flight, as humidity can drop to very low levels. In fact, in-flight air is drier than any of the world’s deserts. Sahara and Arabian deserts have a relative humidity of around 20% to 25%, while in-flight cabin humidity levels can drop as low as 1% during a long haul flight.

Don’t be afraid to let the flight attendants know that you are a fearful flier. They will be able to offer you helpful reassurance during the flight.

Breathe deeply. There are different breathing techniques that you can learn that can help reduce tension and stress.

Listen to calming music. This also stops you from becoming distracted by noises that the airplane is making. It’s easy to interpret perfectly normal aircraft noises as sounds of impending doom! Turn up the music and relax.

Being afraid of flying is a rational fear as you are placing yourself in a situation where there is a small element of risk. The key is to control this fear and to not let the fear control you. If you find yourself in a position where fear is stopping you from doing something that you want to do, then this is the time to take action.

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