Overcome a Fear of Heights

Acrophobia, or the fear of heights, affects many people's daily lives. It can make that person have insecurities and illnesses. Overcoming this fear can be challenging at first, but with assistance, it can be done.

Steps

 * 1)  Try to find out the reason for your fear. Discuss the condition with a counselor, health professional, or someone who can help you work through the underlying reasons. It might even help to find a buddy or two to support you as you overcome this challenge.
 * 2)  Expose yourself to heights gradually. Begin with looking out of windows on taller buildings, looking down off of balconies, and looking out of planes. Take it at your own speed and become comfortable at each of those heights.
 * 3)  When looking down from a big height, grasp railings or fences to build a sense of safety and security in that position.
 * 4)  When you feel ready try jumping off a taller diving board at a local pool.
 * 5)  If you really think you can handle it after a while of "practicing", try visiting a local observation deck atop a tall building in a nearby city (if there is one).
 * 6)  Try some easy at-home activities that will force you to gradually get used to heights:
 * 7) *Balance on a beam that is placed across two chairs
 * 8) *Climb a tree with the help of a spotter
 * 9) *Climb a rope ladder with lots of padding at the base; climb a little higher each time
 * 10) *Swing on a rope that is attached to a large tree; drop into water if possible

Tips

 * Always talk to your doctor first.
 * Don't lose hope.
 * Once you figure out why you are afraid you may be able discover a solution sooner.
 * If you are alone, and high up a building and you get nervous, look for a railing you can hold on to and think of something that makes you feel happy.
 * Consider people who work or play high up every day and find out what helps them to do this. Examples include window washers, construction workers, tree fellers, linesmen, rock climbers, gliders, pilots, mountaineers, crane drivers, etc.

Warnings

 * Don't be a dare devil just yet, a bit of fear may still stay with you.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Conquer a Fear
 * How to Survive a Long Fall