Unraveling the Mystery of Flight Anxiety: A Simple Mental Trick According to Mel Robbins
In a recent revelation, author and podcast host Mel Robbins shared her personal struggle with flight anxiety and a simple mental technique that helped her manage it. Robbins, who resides in Vermont, discussed this approach on the 'Delusional Diaries' podcast, shedding light on the underlying causes of flight anxiety.
Robbins explained that flight anxiety often stems from the thoughts that spiral in people's minds while flying, particularly fears about crashing, turbulence, or losing control. She emphasized that the anxiety arises from imagining the plane crashing and the catastrophic consequences, including death and the end of one's life.
To combat this anxiety, Robbins introduced the concept of an 'anchor thought,' a strategy that involves visualizing a specific, positive moment that will occur after the flight. This technique works by providing the mind with a concrete focus when fear takes hold, she said.
During the podcast episode, Robbins demonstrated this technique by asking her co-host, Kate, to envision an exciting activity she would engage in once she arrived at her destination, in this case, Venice. Robbins encouraged Kate to make the image as vivid as possible, engaging all five senses: sights, sounds, and physical sensations.
Engaging the senses, Robbins explained, helps to firmly embed the image in the brain, making it easier to recall when anxiety intensifies during the flight. She stated that the mind cannot differentiate between what is real and the anchor thought, effectively distracting the mind from worst-case scenarios.
Robbins assured that while this technique doesn't eliminate anxiety entirely, it can significantly reduce its intensity over time. She invited further discussion and comments from listeners, encouraging them to share their experiences and perspectives on managing flight anxiety.
However, Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, offered a different perspective. He suggested that the fear of flying is often more about uncertainty and a perceived loss of control rather than the actual safety of the plane. Alpert emphasized that most people's anxiety is driven by 'what ifs' and the culture of flying, including crowded gates, delays, and viral clips of passengers reacting dramatically.
Alpert recommended practical steps to manage anxiety, focusing on what individuals can control, such as simple routines, breathing exercises to lower heart rate, limiting doom-scrolling before boarding, and reminding themselves that discomfort is not danger.
