"Person's apprehension about flying led them to believe the aircraft was destined to plummet"
Overcoming a Fear of Flying: Sara Shine's Journey
Sara Shine, a software sales manager from Hertfordshire, had a phobia of flying. Her fear of flying developed over time and was exacerbated by a few bad flight experiences. But after facing her fears head-on, Sara managed to overcome her phobia.
As a child, Sara enjoyed long-haul flights and took unaccompanied trips to visit her father who lived on America's East Coast. However, her fear of flying started in her late 20s. The fear was so intense that she gripped the armrest so tightly her knuckles turned white and shut her eyes, convinced that the plane would crash.
Sara's phobia of flying caused her to avoid travel and make excuses for cancelling plans. Her fear was so severe that she only saw her stepsisters who lived in New York once before the phobia got too much.
But Sara decided to seek help. She turned to Dr Bonita Rayner-Jones, a registered hypnotherapist on Harley Street. Dr Rayner-Jones recorded a tailored 40-minute hypnotherapy session for Sara to help reframe her fear of flying.
During the session, Dr Rayner-Jones guided Sara to associate a color and a relaxing scene with a sense of calm and safety in her unconscious mind. The changes in Sara's thinking from hypnotherapy have been embedded and allow her to flip fear into positive scenarios.
Sara still listens to Dr Rayner-Jones' recording before and during flights. She also finds the easyJet's Fearless Flyer courses helpful. These courses are designed to help nervous flyers manage their anxiety and build confidence.
The NHS estimates that 10 million people in the UK have a phobia, making it the most common type of anxiety disorder. If you are suffering from a fear of flying, know that you are not alone. There are resources available to help you overcome your phobia.
Dr Stuart Psychologists can help individuals understand what's driving a phobia. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be found through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy Associates is a possible resource for those seeking help with phobias.
The most common phobias include spiders, public speaking, heights, and a fear of anything, such as buttons, baked beans, or a fear of eating. But with the right help and support, it is possible to overcome a fear of flying like Sara did.
The August 2025 issue of woman&home magazine details several effective methods for overcoming a fear of flying. These include understanding and confronting the fear gradually, psychological approaches such as hypnotherapy and coaching, and building confidence through knowledge and support.
So, if you have a fear of flying, take the first step and seek help. With gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, and empowering yourself with knowledge and support, you too can overcome your fear of flying and enjoy the freedom of travel.
- Sara's journey of overcoming her fear of flying led her to seek help from Dr Bonita Rayner-Jones, a registered hypnotherapist, and she found easyJet's Fearless Flyer courses beneficial for managing her anxiety.
- In addition to hypnotherapy and courses, resources like Dr Stuart Psychologists, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Hypnotherapy Associates can help individuals understand and combat their phobias.
- Mental health is an essential component of overall wellness, and addressing phobias like Sara's fear of flying can improve both personal health and family relationships, as it allows for more travel and opportunities to connect.
- The understanding and confrontation of fears, such as Sara's, can be achieved through various methods like gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, and support from organizations like woman&home magazine, which provides effective strategies for overcoming a fear of flying.
- The home environment also plays a role in health and beauty, as investing in skincare products and taking care of one's hair can contribute to overall well-being and confidence, which may help individuals manage their fears when combined with professional help and support.
