Have you ever looked down from a tall height and felt your heart thudding fast, a gripping fear grabbing your mind as you close your eyes and step back; this is what people with a phobia of heights can experience.
People often tend to confuse the fear of heights and vertigo. You need to first b certain which one you are experiencing so that you can proceed with a solution for it. Vertigo is a physiological phenomenon, and people get disturbed by the difference in the signals they receive from their inner ear and vision – this acts in causing a disturbance in balance.
For instance, if you stand on top of a glass ceiling, your brain will tell you that you are present in a vacuum even when you are standing firmly on the ground.
If you experience this, you should consult your ENT so that they can check your inner ear and treat it accordingly.
With that intense fear of heights, it may be daunting to think of hiking; but you should not let the acrophobia (fear of heights) stop you from taking on this adventure. So, face your fears with the tips mentioned below and go on the dreaded hiking trip – we are sure you will love it!
Table of Contents
1. You Should Feel Confident About Yourself
We understand that it is easier said than done, but you must do it if you want to break the shackles of your fear. You can get equipment which would make your feel more confident. Go shopping and get those comfortable shoes, a resilient walking stick, and a backpack that does not cause improper balance. With the proper equipment, you are bound to feel safer when you go on that hiking trip.
2. You Can Talk To Other Hikers
Talking to others about this can help you more than you think. Meeting people who have faced the same fears will give you the courage to get over your fear and bask in the glory of completing your hiking trip. So, if you have someone who has overcome this phobia, visit them, talk to them and ask them for things that helped them overcome it.
3. Take Out Time to Rationalise
You should sit back and ponder about the triggering point of this phobia. Is it bridges, or is it related to slopes?
It would help if you thought back about the circumstances when you have felt restless and gripped with fear. Try to give a number to your fear on a scale of ten – zero being the lowest! Try to rationalize and think about the positive aspects of the trip. Ponder over the real risk and the ones that you imagine so that they would help you get some perspective. Try taking over your fear rather than letting it take over you.
4. Take One Step At a Time
Learn to take one step at a time so that you can benefit from it. You can get treatments that are aligned for phobias. The best treatment for acrophobia is CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. You can slowly deal with your fears and overcome them with the help of this therapy.
The first step may be just calmy thinking of heights – do it. Take your time with it, so you succeed.
5. Learn to Breathe Properly When on Heights
The fear of heights is mainly elevated with anxiety cascading through your body. It would help if you got rid of anxiety to effectively overcome the fear of heights.
You may need to learn how to breathe to manage the anxiety when you are on heights. You may need to do some meditation for it or practice some yoga breathing exercises – these are excellent for reducing your stress levels and getting rid of anxiety. It is easy to hyperventilate when you are scared; try to focus on your breathing and make it slow.
6. Do Not Be Afraid of the Peers
It is easy to be afraid of what people will think if you are scared of heights, but you can not let it keep you down. If you feel too frightened, drop down on your knees, and start crawling till you reach a spot you deem safe. You might be fearful of what people will think – but let them believe whatever they want, and you do what you feel is right for you!
You can take the support of the walls and make your way down easily. Just make sure you do not grab onto the person next to you as it might result in them losing their balance and you both hurling down.
7. Refrain from Looking Down
When you are scared of heights, do not look down at all; if you do that, your fear will intensify and can ruin your entire hiking trip. Keep your focus on your destination or some fixed distant point, and do not go looking down.
End Note
Follow these seven tips to overcome your fear of heights and enjoy your hiking trip.