✈️ what pilots wish nervous flyers knew

practical tips to ease flight anxiety, a happiness boost, and meet our pet of the week, Apollo.

Subscribe here | Unsubscribe here | Weekender Mar 15, 2025 🤔 Brainteaser of the day: Guess the next three letters in the series GTNTL. Click here to see the answer. ✅ Today's Checklist:  How to manage flight anxiety when the news feels scary The happiness podcast episode you have to listen to Pet of the week: Apollo 🔔 ICYMI: Yesterday we opened up 100 spots for The A-list and 56 have already been taken! Apply to join our private Slack community here. We will close applications by 3/21 @ 11:59 PM PT (or when spots run out). QUICK LINKS 🎨 Master Miro in 3 minutes and boost your collaboration skills. 🍹 Ditch the drinks, and try these 99 fun sober activities instead. 🥑 A nutritionist explains how to sync your diet with your menstrual cycle for better health. 💰 Younger women are eager to save—closing the financial literacy gender gap starts here. TRAVEL     How to Manage Flight Anxiety When the News Feels Scary It's been a little nerve-wracking seeing airplane incidents in the news lately. In 2025 alone, there have already been 14 fatal aviation crashes, with 10 occurring in January and 4 in February, according to the NTSB. Understandably, these headlines have heightened anxiety for both frequent and occasional flyers. But before you spiral into full-on flight panic mode, let's take a step back. While the news tends to highlight worst-case scenarios, air travel is still one of the safest modes of transportation. Understanding the facts—along with a few practical strategies—can help ease those pre-flight jitters. Air Travel Safety by the Numbers Flying is incredibly safe – The death risk per passenger in countries with strict aviation regulations is about 1 in 100 million. That's an overwhelmingly low probability. Statistically safer than driving – Per billion kilometers traveled, air travel has a fatality rate of 0.05, while car travel sits at 3.1 and motorcycles at 108.9. In short, getting to the airport is far more dangerous than the flight itself. Continuous safety improvements – Aviation is one of the most highly regulated industries, with constant improvements in technology, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance making flights safer than ever. How to Manage Flight Anxiety If knowing the numbers isn't enough to keep you calm at 30,000 feet, here are some tried-and-true ways to ease flight anxiety: 1. Educate Yourself on How Planes Work A huge part of flying anxiety stems from not knowing what's happening. Why do the wings move? Why does turbulence happen? Why do pilots always seem so chill? Learning about the mechanics of flying and the extensive training pilots undergo can help ease those fears. (Pilots must complete flight school training, and log at least 1500 hours of flying time before becoming commercial pilots.) What might feel unsettling is often just standard procedure. 2. Try Relaxation Techniques Your nervous system plays a huge role in anxiety, and the good news is you can hack it. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation can all help slow your heart rate and keep you grounded. A simple technique: inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, and exhale for eight—repeat until you feel calmer. 3. Bring Distractions Load up your tablet with feel-good TV shows, movies, or an audiobook. Download your favorite podcasts. Make a killer playlist. A well-distracted brain doesn't have time to spiral into "what if" scenarios. 4. Avoid Doomscrolling Before Your Flight Watching air disaster documentaries or reading crash headlines is a terrible pre-flight ritual. It's like watching shark attack videos before a beach trip. Give yourself a break from the news, especially in the days leading up to your flight. 5. Consider Therapy or Professional Help If your fear of flying is truly debilitating, working with a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy can be life-changing. Even a few sessions can help you reframe your fears and make flying feel manageable. At the end of the day, air travel remains one of the safest and most efficient ways to get from point A to point B. And while the fear is real, it doesn't have to control your experience. So take a deep breath, plan that trip, and remind yourself that thousands of planes take off and land safely every single day. SKIN CARE     The "Healthy" Lie Your Skin is Telling You (and How to Fix It)   You're doing everything "right"—eating well, working out, prioritizing self-care. But your skin? It's not exactly cooperating. The fine lines, the dullness, the way it just doesn't bounce back like it used to... Most anti-aging products are just expensive band-aids, masking the signs of aging instead of addressing the root cause. OneSkin does things differently. Their OS-01 peptide works at the cellular level—where aging actually begins—to help clear out senescent cells (the ones responsible for collagen breakdown, moisture loss, and inflammation). The result? Skin that doesn't just look healthier but actually acts younger. No temporary plumping. No quick fixes. Just science-backed renewal for skin that thrives at every age. 🛍️ Try OneSkin and get 15% off with code THEASSIST. Take the first step to healthier skin > DISCLAIMERS: Zonari, A., et al. npj Aging, 2023 STAFF PICKS     📚 Read: Spellbound Under the Spanish Moss by Connor Judson Garrett & Kevin N. Garrett A blend of Southern gothic charm and magical realism, this novel takes readers on a mystical adventure through the eerie beauty of the Georgia swamps. Spellbound Under the Spanish Moss weaves an enchanting tale of folklore, destiny, and self-discovery, making it a must-read for those who love stories steeped in mystery and magic. 📺 Watch: The Newsroom Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom is a fast-paced drama that follows the behind-the-scenes chaos of a cable news show trying to balance journalistic integrity with modern media pressures. With razor-sharp dialogue, compelling characters, and real-world political intrigue, this series is perfect for anyone who loves smart, thought-provoking television. 🎧 Listen: "24 Things That Please Me" and Why Making That Kind of List Makes Us Happier Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin explores the power of recognizing life's small joys in this uplifting podcast episode. From personal insights to research-backed benefits, she explains why making a list of things that bring you joy can boost well-being and mindfulness. A feel-good listen for anyone looking to cultivate more happiness in their daily life. BETTER MEETINGS   Sick of 1-on-1s Feeling Awkward, Useless, or Just Another Box to Check?   1-on-1s should be your most powerful leadership tool—not a weekly time suck. If your meetings feel forced, aimless, or like you're just going through the motions, you're not alone. This on-demand training breaks down three simple shifts that turn 1-on-1s into high-impact, trust-building conversations that actually move the needle: ✅ Ditch the status updates ✅ Ask better questions ✅ Walk away with real results For just $19, you'll get proven templates, conversation prompts, and actionable strategies—all designed to save you hours of wasted meetings and make every 1-on-1 count. Because let's be real: how many ineffective meetings is your time worth? Grab the training & take back your time > JUST FOR FUN PET OF THE WEEK     Meet Apollo   Hi, I'm Apollo! My Mommy and Daddy picked me out to help bring my big sister Ariel out of her shell, but I'm too wild for her. I spend my day attacking birds through the window in Mommy's office, sleeping on my cat tree, jumping into Mommy's lap whenever she joins a video call or starts typing, and demanding lots of pets and hugs before I'll eat my breakfast and dinner. 🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue. Pssst…Did you know 1 in 3 pets need emergency vet care every year 🐶🐱? Spot Pet Insurance helps pet parents get up to 90% cash back on covered vet bills—so you can focus on cuddles, not costly vet visits. Plus, unlock up to $2,500 in savings on pet faves like The Farmer's Dog, Furbo, and BarkBox! Learn more & snag up to 20%* off your Spot policy. Disclaimers: "Pet Insurance Statistics 2024" Forbes Advisor, Jan 3, 2024. ∞ No purchase necessary. See spotpet.com/perks-terms. *10% strategic partner discount on all pets. 5% in LA, NE, TX, VA, and WA. Not available in FL, HI, MN, TN. 10% multi-pet discount on 2nd+ pets. The Assist Newsletter is not a licensed insurance agency nor an underwriter of insurance, but may receive compensation for this ad. Insurance plans are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581. A Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254) or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ), and are produced by Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. (NPN # 19246385. 990 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 603, Miami, FL 33132. CA License #6000188). Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address. SPILL THE TEA Take Our Poll     Have more feedback? 💌 Reply to this email and tell us. 🚨 Open Jobs: Visit our job board here. ✨ P.S. Want more inspiration and positivity to kick off your week? 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