2torial #0401:
Learn2 Conquer Your Fear of Flying

Prepare for takeoff

You enjoy the complimentary peanuts, and maybe even look forward to the meals that come in those little trays, but just about everything else about flying makes you anxious. You're not alone. Aerophobia, commonly known as the fear of flying, affects almost 20 percent of all travelers--despite statistics showing that driving a car is actually more dangerous.

Experts believe the deeper root of aerophobia--a fear of passively surrendering control (or handing over the reins of your life to an unknown pilot)--is to blame. We'll show you ways to work through this anxiety, so that during your next flight, you'll have much more than peanuts to enjoy.

Try to remember when your fear of flying began, and, if possible, what triggered it. Maybe you had a bad experience on a previous flight, or heard a frightening news account involving an airplane. Perhaps you've been experiencing stress in other areas of your life recently, and you're displacing those issues with a fear of flying. Realizing the root of your anxiety can help focus the process of getting over your fears, because you'll know what to work on specifically.