People who are scared of flying can control their fear with the right breathing exercise. Just before takeoff, they should take a deep breath, immediately exhale, then hold their breath for six to 10 seconds.
That is the advice of the Professional Association of German Psychiatrists (which is abbreviated BVDP because of its German name), which said that the technique relaxed muscles and took one's mind off one's fears.
Christa Roth-Sackenheim of the BVDP said that people who are scared of flying should "refrain from alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee, black tea and cola so as not to heighten the body's state of agitation."
PHOTO: AFP
People who are afraid of flying can become nervous, have an unusually fast heartbeat, sweat heavily and start to feel sick.
People who repeatedly show these symptoms should see a doctor. "People should admit to themselves that they have a fear of flying, especially business people who have to fly a lot," said Roth- Sackenheim.
She added that fear was a serious symptom of a disorder, and not something that people should be embarrassed about.
She said that with practice and education, people can learn to control their fear without having to use unhealthy methods, such as drinking alcohol.
It is estimated that one-third of airline passengers are afraid of flying. According to a survey by the German Fear-of-Flying Center, most of these people fly very often. Many have experienced a scary situation during flight, while others suddenly become afraid of crashing for no particular reason. (DPA)
害怕搭飛機的人可以利用呼吸練習來控制恐懼。飛機快起飛前,他們應該深深吸一口氣,馬上吐氣,再住呼吸六到十秒。
這是德國精神病學家職業協會(德文縮寫為BVDP)的建議。協會表示,這個技巧會讓肌肉放鬆,驅離內心的恐懼。
此協會的克麗絲塔.羅絲薩肯漢表示,害怕搭機的人應該「避免酒精與含咖啡因的飲料,像是咖啡、紅茶與可樂等,才不會提高身體的焦慮狀態」。
害怕搭飛機的人可能會變得緊張,有不尋常的心跳加速,大量流汗,開始感到不適。
一再出現這些症狀的人們應該去看醫生。羅絲薩肯漢說:「人們應該承認自己有搭機恐懼症,尤其是時常搭飛機的商人。」
她也提到,恐懼是一種失調的嚴重症狀,人們不應該因此感到尷尬。
她說,運用練習與教育,人們可以學習控制自己的恐懼,避免借助飲酒等不健康的方式。
估計有三分之一的飛機乘客害怕搭飛機。根據德國搭機恐懼症中心的調查,這些人大多是飛機常客。許多人搭機時曾經歷到恐懼的狀態,而其他人則是無緣無故就開始害怕會墜機。 (德通社/翻譯:賴美君)
US President Donald Trump has renewed his ambition to take control of Greenland for national security reasons and questioned whether Denmark has any legal right to the Arctic island. The debate has revived scrutiny of how Greenland became part of Denmark, its current self-rule and path to independence, and Washington’s military footprint. HOW DID DENMARK GET GREENLAND? Greenland was inhabited by Inuit peoples from Asia and North America intermittently from around 2,500 BC. Around 985 AD, Vikings led by Erik the Red settled in southern Greenland, farming and building churches. Around the same time, ancestors of today’s Inuit arrived, living as hunters
A: In its latest annual travel guide, Bloomberg recommended two restaurants in Taipei: Golden Pig barbeque from South Korea and two-Michelin-star restaurant A. B: Also, tourists should definitely try Taiwanese cuisine while they’re here. Mountain & Sea House, Shin Yeh Taiwanese Cuisine, and Fujin Tree Taiwanese Cuisine & Champagne are good options. A: For local snacks, Fu Hang Soy Milk, Fu-Ba-Wang Pigs’ Knuckles Restaurant, and Wang Ji Rice Dumplings are all very popular. B: And the gold medalists of the 2025 Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival — Yun Shui Kitchen, The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei, and Come N’ Eat
A: Bloomberg just released its annual travel guide, titled “25 Best Places to Travel in 2026.” What were the best Asian destinations? B: There were actually six Asian hotspots: Taiwan’s Taipei, Malaysia’s Penang, Kazakhstan’s Almaty, Indonesia’s Rote Island, India’s Tiger Reserves, and Oman. A: With its mix of traditional food and modern cuisine, Taipei has become a rising food capital in Asia. B: As Bloomberg reported, “Taiwan is a place that bubbles up in culinary conversation because of its famed beverage, bubble tea, and its early adoption of modern night markets.” A: And Din Tai Fung has now
Facing relentless flooding and rising expenses, Dumble Farm in England has stopped selling milk and started an unexpected but therapeutic venture: cow cuddles. In 2022, the owners sold most of their dairy cows and began letting visitors spend time brushing, petting, and even hugging specially trained Highland cows for 95 pounds per session. This unusual shift reflects the rise of the so-called healing economy, a sector where animal-assisted experiences are marketed as emotional remedies for stress and burnout. While dogs and cats remain the most common therapy animals, cows are gaining popularity for their calm nature. At Dumble Farm, only cows that