Skydiving Anxiety- Here’s How You Can Prepare

Skydiving is associated with a lot of feelings: excitement, adrenaline, bravery, fear, anxiety, stress. The full gamut. That’s what makes it so amazing! When it comes to skydiving for the first time, anxiety is one of the most dominant emotions people feel leading up to the big day. And that’s completely normal! Jumping out of an airplane can be a scary thing to do: our brains are actually hard-wired to be apprehensive in order to keep us safe! 

Skydiving with anxiety doesn’t sound like nearly as much fun as jumping out of an airplane should be. The good news is, there are incredibly effective ways to overcome skydiving anxiety and still enjoy the experience of flying through the air with just your body and a parachute. Let’s get into it! 

Understanding Skydiving Anxiety

There is plenty to be nervous about when it comes to jumping out of an airplane. Rocketing through the sky toward the ground at 120 mph isn’t anything the human body was ever built to do – and your brain knows it. So it’s understandable that you may experience some pre-jump nerves. 

There’s nothing in the world that compares to skydiving. Both from a life-changing experience perspective and from the point of view of knowing what to expect. You have no real way of knowing exactly what skydiving is going to feel like, and the human mind tends to have anxiety around the unknown. Being uncertain of the sensations that come with leaving an airplane mid-flight and how your body will react to those feelings is a completely normal reason to feel a bit stressed before your first jump. We’ve all been there, we know how big that moment is. 

And let’s not forget about those who are afraid of heights. That fear adds a whole new level of anxiety to the typical jump day stress. Skydiving is, after all, entirely about the altitude. The good news, though, is that skydiving happens so high up that it doesn’t actually trigger a fear of heights! It can even help you overcome that lifelong fear of elevated spaces. 

Going skydiving for the first time is the perfect storm for stress and anxiety. The unknown, the extreme nature of the jump, the full commitment required of you at the threshold – it’s no joke! So don’t be deterred by any nerves you might be feeling before you take the leap. In fact, you should be more worried if you aren’t nervous! Being scared of new things is only human. 

And once you acknowledge those fears, you can get to work on overcoming them so that you can have the time of your life. 

Tips for Preparation 

Even though it may be your first time, you have the benefit of joining a long history of people jumping out of airplanes for fun. That means there’s plenty of tried and true tips and tricks for getting mentally and physically prepared for your first skydive. 

One of the best things you can do to prepare is remove the element of the unknown as much as possible. You’ll feel a lot better about what you’re about to do if you have an idea of what to expect. Here’s where living in the age of the internet is your best friend! 

Reading customer reviews from your chosen dropzone is a great place to start your demystifying journey. What better way to learn about the experience than from people just like you? You can also watch skydiving videos on YouTube and social media to get a first-hand look at what the skydiving process entails. You’ll get a glimpse into the process, the people, and the smiles. 

After you’ve done that, get an idea of how to get your body ready for the jump. It will help you feel like you have some control over the experience. You can do this by:

• Planning what to wear for your first jump

Dress as you would to go to the gym or yoga. Comfy clothes that are easy to move around in are ideal for the demands of skydiving. And don’t forget flat-bottomed shoes that lace up. 

• Eating a well-balanced meal and drink water

It might be hard to eat with butterflies in your stomach, but being nourished and hydrated is imperative to feeling good during your skydive. 

• Stretching

You’re going to find yourself in a variety of positions during your jump. From crawling and crouching to arching your back and shoulders, a little bit of a morning stretch will make the whole thing more comfortable. 

• Not drinking alcohol

This one’s actually the law. You cannot go skydiving if you have been drinking alcohol before your jump, so save the party for after you land! Even drinking the night before can impact your fun the next day. No one wants to have to manage a hangover while trying to enjoy jumping out of an airplane. 

• Getting your mind right before getting into the airplane

Meditation and relaxation look different for every individual, but doing some type of anxiety-reducing exercise will work wonders on your stress levels for the day. Visualization, breathing exercises, a hot shower, or getting a workout in are all great ways to prepare your mind to handle the stress of skydiving. You know your body best! Do what feels right and set yourself up for ultimate success. 

Professional Guidance and Support 

You don’t have to go it alone! Your instructor is not only here to physically take you on your tandem skydive – they are your adventure partner, your safety net, and your moral support! You’ll be paired with your tandem instructor before it’s time to get into the airplane, so you’ll have plenty of time to connect with them and ask them any questions you may have. 

And trust that they have been through it! Your instructor might be highly experienced now, but they were once a brand new jumper, too! You can ask them technical questions, ask them to share their experiences, or pick their brain for tips and tricks with handling your anxiety. 

Their job is to ensure that you have the best experience of your life. Building a connection with you is part of that process, and supporting you throughout your entire skydiving journey is exactly why they love their job! They’re there to make you feel secure in the air and on the ground. 

We’d love to help you conquer your fears and show you just how much you’re made of! Book your tandem skydive now and get ready to change your life. Blue skies!