TAP 081 - Captain Tom Bunn - Conquer Fear of Flying

Summary:

In this episode I talk to Captain Tom Bunn about how he has helped people to be less anxious when flying.

Captain Tom Bunn, a retired airline captain and licensed therapist, is founder of SOAR, Inc.He has helped over 7,000 people overcome difficulty with flying. His book, "SOAR: The Breakthrough Treatment for Fear of Flying" was chosen Amazon editors' 2014 favorite book.

Captain Bunn was part of the first fear of flying program, which was started at Pan Am in 1975 by Captain Truman Cummings. Though the Pan Am course was helpful for many, it did not help those subject to claustrophobia or to panic.

He founded SOAR in 1982 to offer more effective help, and develop a therapy that has made it possible for everyone to fly.

In this particular episode you will learn:

- How linking flying to memories can be beneficial

- How oxytocin can be useful to quieten the amygdala

- What the vagus nerve does

- How you can think of a calm friend to keep us grounded

- When we make a decision we chill out because the amygdala stops sending stress hormones

- When we are in control we are OK

- This is why choosing to embrace Anxiety is so important because we are empowering ourselves

- How you can tap into a "flow state"

- How alcohol and medication can affect us when flying

Captain Tom's Top 10 Tips:

Tip Number One - The 5-4-3-2-1 Exercise

This is nothing more than a focusing exercise, something to intensely occupy your mind so disturbing thoughts can't take hold. Prove to yourself that you have the means to control anticipatory anxiety. Start by doing the 5-4-3-2-1 every fifteen minutes. Then every hour. Then, whenever you feel the need.

If you are not troubled by panic, this exercise can (though it is a lot of work) get you through a flight. If you suffer from panic, you will need one of the SOAR courses to establish control that works automatically.

Sit or recline comfortably. Focus on some object in front of you. Keep your focus on that throughout the exercise. (If you eyes drift off, just bring them back.) Do it out loud first. Then, try it silently. See if one works better for you than the other. Say "I see" and name something in your peripheral vision. Say "I see" and name something else in your peripheral vision. Continue until you have made five statements. For example: I see the lamp, I see the table, I see a spot on the lamp shade, I see a book on the table, I see a picture on the table.