Can anyone recommend a book to help with fear of flying?

[Ichangedmynameonce]

I do it, but as I get older I like it less and less. We're going away in 3 weeks and I don't feel excited, just low level worry about the 4 hour flight specifically turbulence.

I cannot afford one of those courses so would appreciate book recommendations please.

Thank you

Honestly, anxiety isn’t something you can read your way out of. What about hypnotherapy? Sounds wanky but there must be something relatively inexpensive you can access online for fear of flying. I did hypnotherapy for birth and I used the same relaxation techniques for flying (because like you, it makes me anxious) and it made a massive difference. Also use it for the dentist which makes me nervous too.

SOAR by Captain Tom Bunn. There's a website too with some resources. Some free, some payable.

I paid for the online easy jet course and it has been helpful. However, I seem to recall a free Virgin App that was good a few years back.
Learning about how planes fly helps. I never knew that they couldn't drop out of the sky. It's a physical impossibility. All those tabloid stories about planes dropping '1000 ft' are often from the exaggerated perspective of one person and unverified by the airlines. It's just tabloid fodder. I would look for a good YouTube video or info online. It will debunk most of the myths.

Thanks all. That app sounds helpful. Does anyone know it?
I probably need better understanding and good relaxation techniques.

Anxiety is definitely something you can read your way out of! You are totally in control. OP I'm flying in three weeks too and have had anxiety around this before. I've used Flying with confidence by Captain Steve Allright and it worked. Currently have menopausal anxiety and am doing an online CBT course.

We'll be fine - I've two flights out to Germany. Control your breathing and relax your body - you can't be anxious if your body is completely relaxed

Breathe is a great app for breathing

Thanks everyone and thanks @OscarsAmmonite for helping me to feel I'll be fine.

Good luck with your flights!

Anymore suggestions gratefully received.

And as an aside, is this a result of the peri menopause (or the actual menopause).?

Your journey driving to the airport statistically more risk than traveling by plane.
It's the safest form of transport.
I know fears are irrational but honestly you're in safe hands up there. Planes are strictly maintained and pilots highly trained.

Weirdly, a book of sudoku. If you can put your attention in a different bit of your brain, you feel less anxious. It's like grounding techniques.

Oh I am glad OP! I bought holiday clothes today and pulled the cases out of storage. And I've got a copy of Flying with confidence out of storage too.

Anxiety can increase during the peri menopause and menopause - your calming hormones of oestrogen and progesterone diminish leaving you with higher cortisol or stress hormones.

To counteract this I've stopped drinking caffeine and alcohol and I exercise more. I also do breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation. I've sidestepped hrt for the moment but many find it helpful.

I found this one very helpful. Written by a BA pilot (who runs their fear of flying courses) who takes you through all the technical stuff, and a psychologist who gives tips and techniques for managing anxiety on a flight Ironically I left it on a plane!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0091947855/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1689192141&sr=8-14

Ah I see it's been recommended by other posters.

Thank you 😊

I recently watched a lot of videos on tiktok that had been posted by airline pilots. They explain about all the different noises, increase and decrease in speed and how it feels, and they talk about turbulence. I flew yesterday and it really helped me understand everything and I was far less stressed than normal.

Look up Lovefly on FB and join the group. Search for them on podcasts - entirely free and so helpful with a range of speakers including pilots. Such a great resource

Whenever I fly I always have a copy of Alan Carr's Easy Way to Enjoy Flying clutched in my sweaty hands! It's a little dated and his tone irritate me at times but it really helps. Its only a little book. You could get it second hand for a couple of pounds.
I'd second breathing exercises- I've got the Calm app and always download some meditation and breathing sessions before I fly.

I find an inane game on my phone a really good distraction. Also if I'm honest a couple of nurofen plus and a big glass of vino. Watching live streams of plane after plane landing safely at Heathrow in near hurricanes is also weirdly reassuring although appreciate it may freak others out even more.
I still hate flying but these days it's less a fear of crashing and more the stress of being treated like human cattle.

You might like something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Airliners-Fly-Passengers-Guide/dp/1785004859/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Understanding how things work can reduce fear. Worked well for my dd.

I’ve always been scared of flying and really felt this year that I’d like to enjoy rather than endure the flight! I read Alan Carrs The Easy way to enjoy flying a few weeks ago, and it’s genuinely been remarkable. I’m actually looking forwards to the flight?! As previous poster said, the tone is a bit irritating at times, and it’s a bit dated - but it’s absolutely done the job! I can’t quite believe the change. Good luck OP - let’s us know how you get on. I hope you enjoy your flight, and your holiday 😊

Came on to recommend Alan Carr's book too. My mum hadn't flown for 40 years after a nightmare which resulted in her fear of flying. I was living overseas and she surprised me with a visit after reading that book. She claims it was a miracle!

I found looking at Flightradar24 helped. There are soooooooo many planes flying every day. Really put it all into perspective of how safe it must be if that many planes are flying every day.

EFT (tapping) is good for fears.

Try The tapping solution app. There are lots of free guides to tapping including fears. There are also lots on YouTube. Brad Yates is a good follow for tapping

This is all so helpful and kind, thank you.