BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — As summer approaches and travel ramps up, many are finding themselves increasingly anxious about flying. According to Dr. Shawna Burns, a psychiatrist, if you’ve been feeling fear, anxiety, or nervousness about flying recently, you're not alone. “I r ecently flew myself, and as a psychologist, I felt it — the anxiety," Dr. Burns said. "I think of it like the fear response system. Anxiety is a normal emotion that we experience." Dr. Burns explained that anxiety is a natural response to perceived danger. While it can be beneficial in certain situations, like a child feeling anxious about running into the street, unchecked anxiety can take over, impacting everyday life. "We just do not want anxiety to rob us and steal the joy and peace from our lives," she said. For those planning trips for this summer, Dr. Burns suggests preparing mentally before stepping on the plane. She recommends getting enough sleep, focusing on positive thoughts, and utilizing relaxation techniques when anxiety arises. "If anxiety hits, take slow, deep breaths," she advises. "Every time you do that, really imagine you’re turning the faucet, you know, turning off the drip of adrenaline and cortisol in your brain. This will help your body begin to calm down," said Dr. Burns. As people prepare for travel and reunions with loved ones, Dr. Burns hopes that the anxiety of flying won’t prevent anyone from having fun or experiencing life’s joys. "We need to make sure we are living and enjoying life," she said. "Anxiety doesn't get to take over." Latest News Psychologist offers tips for dealing with flight anxiety before summer Remarkable Women: Louisiana woman grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses Funeral services set for Baton Rouge tire shop owner 'Bill' Simon Girl, 9, dies after procedure at California dental office Trump highlights Friedman, Grenell as possible UN ambassadors to replace Stefanik ...read more read less