How a Hot Air Balloon Can Help Conquer Your Fear of Heights

If you're like me, then you've battled nervousness when it comes to heights. You might even be flat-out afraid of high places. I understand, I really do. And I'm here to tell you that by facing your fears, you can conquer them.

I'm not talking about anything crazy like skydiving or rock climbing. Or even roller coasters. I'm talking about hot air balloons. A hot air balloon ride can be a gentle way to ease away your fear of heights.

Hot air balloons can hold up to six people depending on the size of the balloon and it's passenger basket. You may worry that the basket could break. It won't -- although it's crafted from wicker, it's extremely flexible, tested by experts and even designed to absorb impact at landing so you don't feel a jolt. The nylon balloon is fire-proof and extremely durable.

Pilots of hot air balloons are extensively trained and certified before being allowed to take passengers up. Every aspect of all equipment is checked before every flight and weather conditions are analyzed in detail to ensure maximum safety.

Once you're up in the air, a ground crew will follow the balloon and meet it on the ground when it lands. Ballooning is not a precise thing -- you will often land somewhere you may not have expected. But never fear, that's part of the fun...your pilot and his or her crew know exactly how to handle things!

By taking a hot air balloon ride with a few people you trust, you can successfully conquer your fear of heights. While in the air, you may feel uncomfortable. The important thing is to stay calm and in control. Relax as much as you can. And after awhile, you'll realize that you're not as afraid of heights as you used to be! Upon a successful landing, you may even want to do it again!

Reward yourself after a successful hot air balloon ride. Some crews, depending on the package you choose, can meet you at the landing area with a picnic and champagne. Spend some time exploring the area where the balloon landed -- sightseeing is part of the trip!

I guarantee that when you return home, you'll feel refreshed and confident, and significantly less afraid of heights than you were before you took a hot air balloon ride. Facing your fears is a good way to send them packing!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Hot Air Balloon News:
Balloon pilot performs touch-and-go in Boise River - KATU

KATU
Balloon pilot performs touch-and-go in Boise River
KATU
BOISE, Idaho - A local KBOI-TV viewer called the newsroom Thursday morning saying she had pictures of a hot air balloon landing in the Boise River. .

and more »
..

Trash Bags as Beautiful Works of Art - Flavorwire (blog)

Trash Bags as Beautiful Works of Art
Flavorwire (blog)
Matt Jones created EURBertrand, Air WhaleEUR by fusing black trash bags together with iron rather than tape. EURIt'll be a 'solar hot air balloon,' flying when .

..

Check this out! Hot air balloon lands in Boise River - Bakersfield Now

Bakersfield Now
Check this out! Hot air balloon lands in Boise River
Bakersfield Now
BOISE, Idaho - A local KBOI-TV viewer called the newsroom Thursday morning saying she had pictures of a hot air balloon landing in the Boise River. .

and more »
..

Sachin to join Indian Air Force as Group Captain on Friday - Oneindia

Sachin to join Indian Air Force as Group Captain on Friday
Oneindia
. honour on Kapil Dev, while industrialist Vijaypath Singhania was made an Air Commodore for holding a world record in high altitude hot balloon flying. .

and more »
..

It's Daybreak - wake up to the snakepit - The Guardian

The Guardian
It's Daybreak - wake up to the snakepit
The Guardian
. or bunging Stephen Tompkinson in a hot-air balloon and making "television" about it, or Michael Ball's afternoon discussion show (of which more later). .

and more »
..

Check this out! Hot air balloon lands in Boise River - KIDK

KIDK
Check this out! Hot air balloon lands in Boise River
KIDK
BOISE, Idaho - A local KBOI-TV viewer called the newsroom Thursday morning saying she had pictures of a hot air balloon landing in the Boise River. .

and more »
..

Check this out! Hot air balloon lands in Boise River - KVAL

KVAL
Check this out! Hot air balloon lands in Boise River
KVAL
BOISE, Idaho - A local KBOI-TV viewer called the newsroom Thursday morning saying she had pictures of a hot air balloon landing in the Boise River. .

and more »
..

Sachin to join Indian Air Force as Group Captain on Friday - TopNews

TopNews
Sachin to join Indian Air Force as Group Captain on Friday
TopNews
. honour on Kapil Dev, while industrialist Vijaypath Singhania was made an Air Commodore for holding a world record in high altitude hot balloon flying. .

and more »
..