When airplane tragedies occur, like the recent crash in Brazil, it is devastating and heartbreaking for the families and friends of the victims.

High-profile airline disasters are also often triggering to those who are already afraid of flying. Just hearing about an airplane crash can make these fears feel even more real and justified.

If you are afraid of flying and get even more distressed about it whenever you hear about an airline tragedy, here are some things to keep in mind:

People naturally tend to focus on information that is meaningful and relevant to them. For those afraid of flying, a high-profile plane crash fits perfectly into their belief system that flying is dangerous. They can point to the crash as an example that their fears are justified.

However, one plane crash does not impact the chances that another plane might have a similar fate. It was an independent event, horrible and tragic, but unrelated to other flights.

If you tend to........

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