Looking out of a car window while driving over a bridge or even peering over the second floor railing at a mall causes you extreme anxiety. You start to feel panicked and your palms start to sweat. These are just some of the signs that you may have a fear of heights. While it can be frustrating to have to deal with this fear on a daily basis, it is something that is possible to overcome.
The first step of overcoming your fear of heights is to be ready to do so. While some people want to conquer the fear, they are not ready to deal with the physical and emotional hurdles that go along with doing it. If you are ready to deal with the rush of emotions and are willing to fight against any trepidation, then you are ready to start to overcome your fear of heights.
One way to defeat your fear of heights is to do an activity that involves nothing but heights. For example, you can try skydiving, bungee jumping or going on a very high roller coaster. While it may seem ludicrous, it can be just what you need. This option is not for everyone and it may seem much too overwhelming to consider in the beginning stages.
For those that want to take smaller steps, you can start from the bottom and work your way up. For example, start by standing on the top step of a ladder. Follow that up with looking over your second floor banister or looking out of a third floor window in an office building. Each time, escalate to a higher space and keep making progress.
When the panic starts to set in, it is because you are probably focusing only on how high up you are. Negative thoughts flow through your mind and your heart starts to race. Instead of concentrating on the height aspect, examine the scenery and the environment all around you, then take deep breaths and relax your body. If you are squeezing desperately onto something, keep holding on but relax your hands little by little. This can help you to calm down and realize that you are okay.
If you have a fear of heights, you are not alone. Be patient with yourself, and while you may want your fear to disappear overnight, it can take quite a bit longer. Do not give up; it is possible to conquer your phobia and have it be a distant memory.
