Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?

#31

Post by qq4 » Wed, Sep 08, 2021, 4:56 PM UTC

kazinator wrote: post #28

qq4 wrote: post #17

Heights don't scare me. It's the risk of falling from greater heights and being less in control of mitigating that outcome. Like others have said in the thread, trusting the gear makes most of the difference. I'm always iffy on a roof unless I have a harness, because well, it's not that hard to fall off!

People who have an fear of heights can't go near a window in a high-rise building, for instance. "Iffy on a roof, if I don't have a harness" sounds like no fear of heights.

To be fair I "get iffy" when i look down!

Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?

#32

Post by recursivefaults » Thu, Sep 09, 2021, 2:48 PM UTC

mrks_ wrote: post #5

How 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.

Came to say the same. I joined a climbing gym and its done wonders. Slowly but surely it's making me a lot more comfortable with heights.

Re: Ask HN: Any tips on overcoming fear of heights?

#33

Post by nvusuvu » Thu, Sep 09, 2021, 5:37 PM UTC

zeroc8 wrote: post #14

dmitrygr wrote: post #11

Get a pilot's licence. You'd be surprised how many pilots got into it specifically because of this.

Didn't make a difference for me at all. I'm a pilot, did some basic aerobatics, no problem at all. Paragliding did scare me a bit at the beginning, but I got used to it after a while. Standing up on the roof of my house is still giving me problems.

If you are not harnessed while on the roof, experiencing fear is completely natural. Understanding your limits and risk factors are a key factor.