Jennifer Aniston, the beloved actress known for her iconic role in *Friends*, recently revealed her secret weapon against a long-standing fear: flying. In an interview with *Travel + Leisure*, Aniston shared her struggle with an “extreme fear of flying,” detailing pre-flight rituals like tapping the plane and stepping on with her right foot. But now, she’s announced a breakthrough thanks to hypnosis therapy.
She enthusiastically reported that she’s successfully abandoned these superstitious rituals and is now experiencing surprisingly positive flight experiences. Beyond hypnosis, Aniston credits breathwork, meditation during flights, and getting up to walk and stretch as contributing factors to her improved comfort level. This holistic approach seems to have significantly reduced her anxiety.
However, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist, Jonathan Alpert, offers a more nuanced perspective on the effectiveness of hypnosis for flight anxiety. While acknowledging that some therapists find success with this method, he emphasizes that it’s not a quick fix. Alpert prefers behavioral techniques and cognitive strategies, focusing on addressing the root causes of anxiety and challenging irrational thoughts. He believes that building confidence and a stronger mindset is key to overcoming such fears, rather than relying on a single, potentially temporary solution like hypnosis.
Aniston’s experience highlights the diverse approaches individuals take to manage their anxieties. While hypnosis may have worked for her, Alpert’s perspective reminds us that a more holistic and long-term strategy, targeting the underlying causes of fear, might be more sustainable and effective in the long run for others struggling with aviophobia.
