Jennifer Aniston, known for her iconic role as Rachel Green on Friends, has always had a fear of flying. But in a recent interview with Travel + Leisure published on April 17, the 56-year-old actress revealed how she has been confronting her “extreme fear of flying” through an unexpected method: hypnosis.
For years, Aniston relied on a series of rituals to ease her anxiety before flying, including tapping the outside of the plane with her right hand and stepping on board with her right foot. However, she admitted that these superstitions were not providing lasting relief.
“I have been doing some hypnosis lately, and one of the requirements is to remove all of those superstitions,” she explained. “I have not been doing the right hand, right foot — and now it’s shockingly good!” According to Aniston, the practice of hypnosis has proven to be far more effective than her previous habits.
Rather than relying on superstitions, Aniston now turns to calming meditations once the plane takes off, helping to ease her nerves during the flight.
Beyond addressing her fear of flying, the actress also confessed that she’s been focusing on becoming a more efficient and organized packer. “You just don’t know where you’re going to be on a certain day, or what mood you’re going to be in,” she said, recognizing the challenges that come with travel.
Aniston’s fear of flying has been well-documented, particularly following a terrifying experience in 2019 when she and her friend Courteney Cox were on a flight that lost a wheel during takeoff. Thankfully, the flight landed safely, but the traumatic experience clearly stuck with her.
Through hypnosis and a change in mindset, Aniston is slowly but surely conquering her fear and taking control of her travels, one flight at a time.
