Fear of flying is perhaps the most significant factor that hinders most individuals from traveling—and we totally get it. Bumpiness, a lack of control, claustrophobia, and strange noises can all add to your anxiety, especially when you’re thousands of feet above ground. Did we mention it’s still a pandemic? Right.

The International Air Transport Association estimates that an average of 8 million people fly every day, 365 days a year. And a plane crash has a 1-in-11 million chance of killing you. The odds of being hit by lightning, dying from a bee sting, or becoming President of the United States are all higher.

So, without further ado, here are some tips to help you navigate your travel anxiety, and be 5% less anxious the next time you’re on a plane.

1. Learn to recognize the noises

Because you are unfamiliar with the noises made by the plane during takeoff, landing, and flying, you may believe that all of these strange sounds signal disasters, which can make you feel uncomfortable. To calm your nerves, learn the sounds of the wheels retracting after takeoff, the chimes that occur within the cabin, and the roar of acceleration.

2. Divert your attention

Play games, read books, watch movies, or listen to music to keep yourself occupied. You can combine several distractions at once: Read a magazine while listening to music, or watch a movie while playing video games. To keep your mind occupied, buy some entertaining airline games, or a large book of crossword puzzles before you leave.

3. Use the “Glass of Water” technique

Request a glass of water, place it on your tray, and observe how the liquid slides slightly, never spilling. Even in the midst of the most severe turbulence, this demonstrates how little you are truly moving.

4. Seek assistance

Make the flight attendants aware of your fear and request that they keep you updated on noises, flight patterns, and other relevant information.

5. Buy noise-canceling headphones

The best way to no longer feel anxious about flying is to sleep it off. However, as we all know, planes can get really noisy and it could be very hard to maintain deep sleep. It’s not impossible though. If you invest in the right set of noise-canceling headphones, you may actually be able to fall asleep on an airplane. Trust us.

If you’re looking for travel hacks on packing, we got you covered for that too. And here’s information on whether you can change your name on an airline ticket or not.

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