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Rides at amusement parks and carnivals are meant to thrill and excite their riders. Understandably, this thrill isn’t for everyone, at least at first. They can, though, be a tremendous amount of fun, and a great way to spend time with friends and family. By learning more about these rides, and what makes you afraid of going on them, you can get yourself in line for one, and survive the first trip to help you go again and again with others.
Steps
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Identify what scares you about the ride. Consider what about the ride actually scares you, and makes you want to not go on. There can be many reasons why you don’t enjoy or want to go on scary rides. It could be the speed, the turns, or the feeling of falling you’ll get while on it, or even a traumatic experience you had on a ride before. [1] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source By identifying what it is that makes you scared, you can take more concrete steps to overcome that specific fear.
- Look at pictures of the ride, watch where it goes. See if there are particular things about the ride that scare you, like going upside down on a roller coaster. Imagine yourself going through the ride, and how you would feel when you go through it. [2] X Research source
- Study the rides. Look at what they are trying to do to scare you, as well as the safety features. Understanding how the rides work, and how they can keep you safe, will help you feel more comfortable getting on them.
- Remember that you are in a safe environment. These rides work because people remember that they are in a safe area, and that nothing bad will actually happen to them. Scary rides are able to create a reaction by overstimulating your senses, like using sudden sounds and weird sensations in a haunted house, but will not put you in real danger. [3] X Research source
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Set a goal for going on the ride. Maybe you just want to say you did it, or are trying to impress someone. It doesn’t need to be an earth-shattering goal, but something manageable like going on the ride once. Having a goal or reason for getting on the ride can help motivate you to actually give it a shot, and smaller goal will make it easier to follow through and have success. [4] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Talk to other people. Talk to your friends about going on these rides. Make sure they know that you are scared, but that you want to overcome this fear. Good friends will understand, and try to help where they can. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- When you talk to your friends, ask them why they enjoy going on these rides. It’s not unusual to be a little afraid of scary rides, as the point is to give you a thrill. Ask about how they overcame their fears to enjoy the ride.
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Slowly expose yourself to the rides. Before jumping on line, spend some time exposing yourself to a scary ride. Look at pictures and video of it online so you can see it in action, and what you would do while on it. If you go to a theme park or carnival, walk by the ride and watch it in action. The more you see of it, the more comfortable you will be around it. This is exposure therapy, a common method for overcoming fears. [6] X Research source [7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Get in line for the ride. One way to help push yourself on to the ride is to put yourself in a position where you have to go on one. Maybe tell your friends you’ll definitely ride it, or buy an expensive ticket to the park. Make it very difficult for yourself to back out of going on the ride. [8] X Research source
- Do your best to forget past times where you avoided the ride, or got in line only to back out. Don’t dwell on the past, but instead stay focused on the future, that this time you will go on the ride. [9] X Research source
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Avoid catastrophizing. This is a common type of negative thinking, where you can only think of a worst-case scenario when you think about going on a scary ride. This could be something like worrying about falling out of a roller coaster each time it goes upside down. [10] X Research source
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Use relaxation techniques to stay calm. Before you get on line, or get on the ride, use some mindfulness techniques to help relax yourself. These simple exercises are great for reducing your stress and tension, which will make you feel better as you approach the ride. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Progressive muscle relaxation. This exercise involves you slowly clenching and relaxing the muscles in your body. Tense for about 5 seconds, then relax for 30, thinking not just about moving your muscles, but how it feels when they are relaxed. It can help to start in one part of your body, maybe down at your feet, and work your way up your body, tensing and relaxing all your muscles in succession.
- Controlled breathing. Take a normal breath, then a deep breath. Breathe in slowly through your nose, and let the air fill your lungs and abdomen. Exhale slowly--it's best to do so through your mouth, but it can be through your nose, if that is more comfortable. [12] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
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Try out the seats. Some rides will have seats available for you to sit in before getting on the ride. These are mostly to make sure you will fit properly, but trying them out can be a good way to get more comfortable with what you are doing. [13] X Research source
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Get on the ride. The best way to face your fear is to push past it and get on board. You’ve come this far. You’ve learned about the ride, relaxed yourself, stood in line, and now you are here. Get in the seat, let the attendant strap you in, and get ready to roll. [14] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Hold on to the bar. Most rides will have some type of “grab bar” or other restraint that’s meant to help hold you into the ride. It might make you feel more secure to grab hold of the restraint. It won’t actually make you any safer, but can be a pleasant reminder that something is there to hold you in. [15] X Research source
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Keep your eyes open. When the ride takes off, you will be tempted to squeeze your eyes shut until it’s over. Don’t do that. Instead, let your eyes guide you along the track, watching what comes next. Being able to see what follows will help make you feel more in control of what’s coming. [16] X Research source
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Go a second time. Once you’ve gone on the ride, great. Now get back in line and go again. Going on rides more often helps habituate you to it, and will make you even more comfortable as you go along. [17] X Research source
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Tips
- Remember, you don’t have to enjoy going on scary rides. Some people’s brain chemistry just doesn’t allow them to enjoy the experience. At the very least, you want to be able to get on the ride with your friends without seizing up in fear. [18] X Research sourceThanks
- Rides are meant to thrill you and evoke a response. Go ahead and scream as it goes along. You won’t be the only one.Thanks
- Wanting to go on a ride is an opportunity to get in better shape . Getting in better physical shape can help you reduce stress, and also make it more likely you can fit comfortably in those ride seats.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Gradually work your way up to the scary rides by going on smaller rides first. By then time you get to the scary ride, it won't seem so daunting.
- Tell yourself you can go on one of the fun and not-so-scary rides as much as you want, but only after you go on the scary ride.
- Go ahead and scream as loud as you can! It helps relieve tension and fear, and it's totally expected on a big ride.
- Personally, I prefer to keep my eyes open, even if I'm scared. When I close my eyes, I start to panic!
- Choose a middle seat in a coaster for an easier ride that's less intense.
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Warnings
- When you decide to get on a ride, remember to follow all the posted rules. They are meant to make sure you are as safe as possible during the ride, and that nothing happens to you or other riders.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/specific-phobias/symptoms-causes/syc-20355156
- ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5851566/how-to-overcome-your-worst-fears
- ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/why-do-some-brains-enjoy-fear/280938/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-fear/201102/nine-secrets-courage-extreme-fear?collection=66283
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/overcoming-fears.aspx
- ↑ http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/specific-phobias/treatment
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phobias/basics/treatment/con-20023478
- ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5851566/how-to-overcome-your-worst-fears
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201004/life-is-one-long-slackline-12-lessons-learned-extreme-highliners-about
- ↑ http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/specific-phobias/treatment
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368
- ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response
- ↑ http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201101/2278/
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/overcoming-fears.aspx
- ↑ http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201101/2278/
- ↑ http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201101/2278/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/insight-therapy/201009/overcoming-fear-the-only-way-out-is-through
- ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/why-do-some-brains-enjoy-fear/280938/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
It might be daunting, but the best way to overcome a fear of scary rides is to start by exposing yourself to them. For example, try walking near them or watching them. When you’re more comfortable, get in line with a friend and ask them to encourage you to get on the ride if you start to chicken out. Then, as you’re waiting, try to avoid worrying and instead control your breathing; alternate between normal and deep breaths to help you relax. Finally, allow the attendant to strap you into the ride and hold onto the bar if you want to feel secure! For more tips from our co-author, like why you should keep your eyes open during the ride, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I was terrified of going on my first roller coaster. I decided to go on a children's one first; it went quite fast, but I found it very enjoyable. Since I loved my first ride, I went straight into a loop ride; it was quite slow, but the loops were super exhilarating! At first, I was scared of that stomach feeling, but that's actually the best part about it! " ..." more
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"I was terrified of going on my first roller coaster. I decided to go on a children's one first; it went quite fast, but I found it very enjoyable. Since I loved my first ride, I went straight into a loop ride; it was quite slow, but the loops were super exhilarating! At first, I was scared of that stomach feeling, but that's actually the best part about it! "
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"I was actually kind of afraid. I have a school trip to a theme park very soon, and I wanted to try all the rides there, even the dangerous ones. I was having negative thoughts of how I might die, but having read this article, it helped me calm down and think about it in a good way."
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"I was absolutely terrified to go on Mamba. I still wanted to go, and I didn't want to let my friend down, so I pushed myself and did it. And I loved it! It's now my favorite roller coaster at the park!"
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"This information helped me not be scared of riding a roller coaster at Silverwood after hearing about what recently happened to riders in Ohio. I'm so glad I'm not as scared now!"
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