Christy Frikken shares 7 fast ways to calm down in the plane
Image by Brian Buckland
Everybody experiences anxiety sometimes when skydiving. You might be working through your first 100 jumps, having a random bout of gear fear, returning from an injury, or dealing with competition anxiety.
No matter the cause, sitting on the long slow plane ride with heightened nerves can be stressful.
Image by Dennis Sattler
Are you doing something stupid?
First, before we get to the calm part, check if you have a reason to be nervous.
- Are you making a lousy weather decision?
- Have reason to be suspicious of your gear?
- Are you working too far above your comfort zone?
If you are, stop. That is a safety problem.
But sometimes, you feel nervous even though you can and want to jump safely. This is because our rational desires and instincts don’t always line up. That is ok! Read on for fast anxiety busters…
Image by Joss Martin
Seven Quick Fixes
1. Breath
Everyone’s favorite practical tip – breathe! Focus on breathing slowly and deeply in and out.
2. Name three things
Not enough? Try interrupting the nervous cycle by naming three things you can see, three things you can hear, and three body parts you can feel. Focusing on specific sensory inputs can bring the escalation back to reality.
3. Visualize perfection
Slowly and calmly work through the jump in your head. This mental rehearsal can give you something to focus on and improve your performance. Imagine yourself having an outstanding performance and responding perfectly to any issues.
4. Happy History
If your confidence is lacking, run through a list of your past accomplishments. Think of times you did well, compliments you received, and your strengths. If you don’t have a lot of skydiving experience, use other parts of your life’s success.
Image by Dave Bryce
5. Support Network
If you are jumping with an instructor, express your emotions to them! Experienced teachers can help you calm down and focus on success. If you are with other jumpers, you can chat with them about it too. The act of talking about it can help alleviate the uneasy feeling.
6. Reframe it
Those butterflies are your body’s way of getting ready to perform physically. If you realize that nerves feel like excitement, it can change your perspective and help you have more fun. For example, being scared on a roller coaster can be fun if you view it right. So please don’t focus on how afraid you are; think about how much fun it is to have that super jolt of energy!
7. Meditate
Another oldie-but-goodie. If you haven’t tried meditating before, I’m not sure it will work as a quick fix. But if you have the skill, it can relax you and help you get ready to rock.
Summary
If you feel anxiety on the ride up, check to see if you are making good choices. If you know all choices are good – try breathing, naming three things, reframing your feelings, meditating, visualizing, or talking to others to ease the nervous feelings. Find the trick that works for you, and you’ll have a more joyous jump!
Image shows author Christy Frikken by Craig O’Brien
Want More Christy?
For longer-term ideas to reduce nerves and perform better, check out How to Calm Down
Find more great articles from Christy Frikken on her website, Fury Coaching
Read ‘Creeping for people who hate creeping’ here
Find out about Easy Exits here
