Tips to Overcome the Fear of Roller Coasters

Do you remember the poster of the movie of Final Destination 3? It shows a group of friends hanging upside down on a roller coaster, on the verge of their death. No, I don't mean to scare you. You are obviously reading this article because you have a fear of roller coasters and want to get rid of it. I am just trying to make a point that anybody can have a fear of roller coasters, especially after watching that gory scene from that movie. So, you are not alone.

You don't mind getting on the giant wheel, but is the roller coaster the only ride in a country fair, or an amusement park, that you just won't get on to? Well, the whole experience of a roller coaster can be pretty thrilling; the speed, the height, the steep slopes and those moments when you are upside down with nothing but a bar keeping you on your seat. The funny thing is that most of us have a fear of roller coasters even though there is only a microscopic chance of having a roller coaster ride accident. So, let's learn how to deal with the fear of roller coasters, and be able to enjoy the ride with your friends and family, instead of watching them on the roller coaster from afar.

How to Get Rid of the Fear of Roller Coasters?

• To overcome the fear of roller coasters, I'd suggest that you first learn about the physics of a roller coaster. By understanding how a roller coaster functions, you will be able to decide whether your fears are valid.
• Since you enjoy all other rides in an amusement park, why not give the smaller roller coaster a try, which is generally meant for children and their parents to escort them. These roller coasters climb to relatively lower height, as compared to the big ones and they also run at a slower speed, which is safe for children too. Once you get used to the feeling of being on a roller coaster and gather much confidence, you can slowly switch to the bigger versions. You will be able to have fun and feel the adrenaline pumping in your blood without the fear of meeting with an accident.
• Going for the middle seats can ease up your anxiety on the roller coaster because the front seats will give you a view you may not be prepared for, and the back seats will leave you feeling more vulnerable.
• Did you know? A lot of safety test are regularly conducted on these roller coasters so that they are safe for general public, and also because the companies that own the amusement park do not want to be sued or ruin their public image.
• Also, try breathing techniques. Every time you are on a roller coaster, try to calm yourself down by taking long and deep breaths. Hold your breath when the roller coaster goes up or comes down. You will slowly enjoy the ride instead of fearing it.
• I would also suggest that you do not look down, left or right. Instead, just look in the front. If you close your eyes, you will be able to sense the combined effect of the height and velocity of the roller coaster.
• In fact, I will tell you a little secret, the tighter you hold on to the bar, the more you will feel scared. Instead, loosen up your clutch on it because you are not going to fall out of the roller coaster.
• Another tip, try to get on a roller coaster with someone who is brave and not scared of the ride.
• Tell your friends and family that you have mustered up the courage to overcome your fear of roller coasters by deciding to try out the ride. They will give you much-needed support, and it will help you to be courageous, else you might end up getting more scared than you already are.
• Once you experience the third drop of the roller coaster, everything will seem much easier after that as you get used to it.
• Now, here is a tip for you to enjoy your roller coaster ride, when you are on it, take a deep breath and scream as loud as you can. Scream in the joy and excitement of being on the roller coaster. Scream to praise yourself for showing the courage to ride a roller coaster, plus, it can be a great stress reliever in the moment.

The thing about overcoming the fear of roller coasters is that the feeling is all in your head. Your imagination invokes the fear, even though getting on a roller coaster is a safe bet. It's not going to kill you, or even hurt you.

Some Facts About Roller Coasters

• Roller coasters are one of the safest recreational rides in the world. There is a specialized team of technicians that keeps a constant check on the wear and tear of different parts of the roller coaster.
• Your probability of being a victim of a roller coaster fatality is one in 1.5 billion! This is far less than your probability of being injured while driving an automobile or playing golf.
• The world's fastest roller coaster is the Formula Rossa that is located in Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi. It can reach up to a speed of 150 miles per hour within 4.9 seconds!
• The feeling of anxiety just before you go on a roller coaster ride is called veloxrotaphobia.

A roller coaster is the best symbol of an adrenaline rush. So, if you don't have a faint heart, I'd say that you should definitely take another ride on a roller coaster. And unlike your childhood experience, when you were young and couldn't deal with the rush of adrenaline from riding a roller coaster, this time let yourself go. Just follow the instructions given and enjoy a safe ride. Don't let anyone force you to take a roller coaster ride because although you won't have an accident, you may just end up getting an anxiety attack. Remember, a roller coaster ride is far safer than flying in an airplane.