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Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
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Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#2You could probably use a VR headset to habitualize yourself to the sensation of height.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#3I have a fear of heights that I cannot control. It terrifies me. I jumped multiples times from planes (solo, not tandem), however it doesn't seem to help.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#4I think it depends on your level of fear. For me, I don't like getting on 2 story roofs, especially the transition to/from the ladder. If I have a safety system then I don't care. More experience also helps.
If it's still a problem even with a railing, safety system, etc, then I would think some sort of therapy or controlled exposure might help.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#5How I overcame my fear of heights: indoor bouldering.
You can pace yourself with respect to the height you’re comfortable experiencing. It forces you to learn to fall safely. Most importantly, it progressively associates a positive outcome (route completion) with height.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#6For me, it was when I had to climb a metal structure for work. I didn't want to be afraid in front of my peers.
My palms still get sweaty, but mentally I have no irrational fear anymore. As long as think the harness is good, I'm okay.
I don't think it's so much that I got over the fear, just that mentally I know that the equipment has me and I'm not going to fall to my death.
I went tandem skydiving for the first time. I think I felt afraid, but I just decided to go through the motions.
As corny as it sounds, I think it's just mind over matter. Know that you're capable of doing whatever simple thing is required, and knowing that the bridge railing, safety harness, etc is going to protect you.
If you can stand on a bridge 1 foot in the air, you can stand on a bridge 1,000 feet in the air. If you can balance on a beam 1 foot off the ground, you can balance on a beam 100 feet off the ground. If you can climb a rock wall 6 feet high, you can climb a rock wall 600 feet high.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#7exposure therapy, slowly but steadily increase your exposure to the phobia, be kind and gentle with yourself and celebrate every step until you're rid of it
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#8For me it’s a mind game. I remind myself that I trust the gear and I trust myself to be responsible using it. The gear can be a ladder or a harness or a structure. If don’t actually trust the gear then I’d like to think that I have will to refuse no matter if there is peer pressure.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#9Can you give us more details of what situations you have difficulty in or want to conquer? When I was younger I enjoyed working at height, now I am in poorer shape and am nervous in more situations. Try acclimation, slowly pushing the envelope. Make sure you understand, not just on a theoretical level, that if you can feel confident at three feet, thirty feet only requires a bit more care, nothing more. And remember, it doesn't hurt to fall, it's just the sudden stop.
Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?
#10Bungee jumping. It sounds stupid but after that I realised I wasn't scared of heights, I'm actually scared of falling, really scared.