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Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Friends, faces a personal challenge with aerophobia, the fear of flying. However, despite this, she refuses to let it interfere with her professional and personal travel plans. In a recent interview, the actress opened up about how she manages her fear, revealing that she relies on techniques like breathwork and meditation to maintain her calm during flights.
For Aniston, the idea of paradise is closely tied to places with pristine white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters. Yet, her fear of flying has often made it difficult to reach these dream destinations. In the past, she developed a unique pre-flight ritual to cope with her anxiety. Before boarding, she would touch the aircraft with her right palm and step onto the plane with her right foot, a superstitious habit meant to ease her nerves. However, after undergoing hypnosis therapy, she’s been able to let go of these old habits and now avoids the ritual altogether.
So, what’s her current strategy for handling her fear of flying? The actress shared with Travel + Leisure that she now prefers to focus on short meditation sessions both before and during flights to help calm her nerves. In addition to meditation, she makes a point of stretching to get the blood flowing, which helps ease any tension.
Aniston also admitted that she has a tendency to overpack when traveling, though she’s actively working on changing this habit. The upside, however, is that her friends often benefit by borrowing things they might have forgotten to pack.
When it comes to choosing a seat on the plane, Aniston clearly prefers the aisle seat, sharing that it allows her more flexibility and comfort during the flight. As for her favorite destinations, she revealed that Kauai, a beautiful island in Hawaii, holds a special place in her heart, especially since she filmed the 2011 movie Just Go With It there.
Looking ahead, Aniston shared her dream travel destinations: Japan and the Maldives are high on her list. Despite her love for beach vacations, she never misses an opportunity for a city getaway. Her ideal vacation day would involve strolling through the streets of Paris, enjoying the atmosphere of outdoor cafes, or exploring any other picturesque city.
Aniston concluded her thoughts on travel by emphasizing the importance of exploring the world. For her, travel isn’t just about relaxing on the beach but about embracing different cultures, meeting new people from all walks of life, and savoring diverse cuisines.