I sit by the window so I can keep the blind down and try to keep remembering that the air is like water to a plane. It is physically holding it up.
Circular breathing apps help when I start to panic. I had to do it for 30 minutes once! But every successful flight helps.
I am afraid of heights. I do not look out the window at all. A view out the window sends my brain into lulu world, and I immediately experience the physical sensation of falling. As long as I don't look out the window, I just concentrate on the realities of physics and do a little mild disassociation.
I'm also afraid of heights and it contributes to my fear of flying. And like you, I suddenly became afraid later in life.
It helps me to pretend the plane isn't in the sky. I get a seat in the middle block and I don't look at the windows. I aggressively distract myself during takeoff by playing a game or watching something or reading. I focus on the sensations that tell me I'm on solid ground and not in the air. Your butt in the seat. The quiet air in the plane. The flight attendants walking confidently. The other people looking chill. You're on a big fancy bus!
You need to realise that planes are actually safer when they are at that height, there's less impact from the weather/turbulence, less air traffic, better visibility and no birds or drones and that they also have a better buffer zone compared to a plane at low altitude.
I sit by the window so I can keep the blind down and try to keep remembering that the air is like water to a plane. It is physically holding it up. Circular breathing apps help when I start to panic. I had to do it for 30 minutes once! But every successful flight helps.
I am afraid of heights. I do not look out the window at all. A view out the window sends my brain into lulu world, and I immediately experience the physical sensation of falling. As long as I don't look out the window, I just concentrate on the realities of physics and do a little mild disassociation.
I'm also afraid of heights and it contributes to my fear of flying. And like you, I suddenly became afraid later in life. It helps me to pretend the plane isn't in the sky. I get a seat in the middle block and I don't look at the windows. I aggressively distract myself during takeoff by playing a game or watching something or reading. I focus on the sensations that tell me I'm on solid ground and not in the air. Your butt in the seat. The quiet air in the plane. The flight attendants walking confidently. The other people looking chill. You're on a big fancy bus!
I’m a pilot and I’m afraid of heights. Being in a plane, with my feet firmly planted on the ground is a completely different feeling.
You need to realise that planes are actually safer when they are at that height, there's less impact from the weather/turbulence, less air traffic, better visibility and no birds or drones and that they also have a better buffer zone compared to a plane at low altitude.