h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I usually do something like this when I'm very nerveous/upset. I think of my breathing and count everytime I breathe out. When I reach ten I lightly run my thoughts over my body to make sure some bit hasn't tensed up. Whenever a though starts to come to me I gently nudge it away. It is a lovely experience, totally free and relaxed .

I am a nervous flyer even though I fly a lot (I'm talking about areoplanes now). I try to use the method described above when on an aeroplane. Sometimes I really fall asleep and then I dream that I'm doing something, e.g. cykling along a familiar road when suddenly I hit a bump and fly several meters into the air. I wake up just as I hit the ground.

Sorry for the waking up because of hitting the ground!

As for breathing out: I quickly fall asleep when I breath out fast. So that could be a good technique for falling asleep.

Good luck for overcoming your fears!!!