Sindre Navelsaker guides a group up the steep mountainside on the city mountain Aksla in Ålesund. He gives safe advice, and seems to enjoy his summer job. This was unthinkable a few years ago. – I was terrified heights. The adrenaline pumped, I started shaking and there was chaos in my head, he said. But then his uncle took him to the boulder hall in Ålesund. Bouldering is climbing in short walls, without ropes. At first it was very scary, but also very fun. Sindre just had to keep trying, even though the adrenaline was pumping and everything in him was screaming that this was dangerous. Complete course Psychologist Øyvind Haaseth also grew up in Ålesund. The city with a view of the wild and beautiful Sunnmørsalpane. He usually works as a section manager at the District Psychiatric Center in Lower Romerike. Psychologist Øyvind Haaseth. Photo: Private In addition, for over 20 years he has held courses where he teaches people to overcome fear of heights, so that they can have good nature experiences. Fear of heights is one of the most common phobias we have. – This is about those who are interested in the outdoors, but who are very at home from the fear of heights. Because of this, they are not allowed to travel on trips with family and friends, or it is very limited where they can travel, he says. Haaseth thinks many can get some good tools to cope with the fear of heights through the course he holds. In a research article in the Journal of the Norwegian Psychological Association, he states that the vast majority have benefited from a three-day course, and people also get better from one-day courses. It is not wise to start with the sharpest peaks, such as here at Bladet in Molladalen on Sunnmøre, if you want to overcome the fear of heights. Photo: Olaug Bjørneset / news The psychologist has some good advice for those who want to practice dealing with the fear of heights themselves: Start with as little discomfort as advice – It is important to challenge yourself, but go step by step. Do not start with the largest heights. Nevertheless, it is important that one is willing to take the discomfort into account. Then you will notice that your body does not break down. It will pass! Have plenty of time and little pressure – It is not a good idea to practice dealing with fear of heights if the group is to reach a peak within a certain period of time. Practice when you have a good time. Practice! – You can do something about fear of heights by practicing. If you can not stand the discomfort, go back a bit, breathe, take some food and try again. Train in an area where you are exposed to heights, on solid rock. Exercise safely based on objective assessments, not based on subjective fear of heights. Share with others – It is important that those around you know how you feel. Share with family and hiking friends, and they can take care of you and help you. Isolate the anxiety – It is important that you do not let the fear of heights affect other areas of life. One may feel inadequate because one does not cope with situations that others can easily handle. But remember that this only applies to fear of heights. Sindre Navelsaker enjoys herself in the mountain wall with a view of Ålesund. Photo: Remi Sagen / Remi Sagen It’s worth it! Sindre Navelsaker sits and rests on one of the benches in the Via Ferrata route in Ålesund. He is very happy that he learned to cope with the fear of heights. – It is worth standing in the discomfort. Because it is not the case that you have only taught your brain to win over the fear of heights. You have taught your brain that you are a human being who can achieve more than you think!
ttn-69
Sindre Navelsaker from Ålesund had a fear of heights – now he is a climbing guide – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
