For millions across the United Kingdom, the prospect of air travel transforms holiday excitement into paralysing dread. The sensation of gripping an armrest during take-off or a stomach-churning drop during a bumpy patch is a shared reality for a vast number of passengers.
The Scale of Aviophobia in the UK
According to the charity Anxiety UK, nearly seven million Britons suffer from aviophobia. This intense fear of flying can provoke physical symptoms like sweating and shaking, trigger panic attacks, and even deter people from travelling entirely. Travel journalist Amy Jones was once counted among them, describing a past filled with flight anxiety.
"Before I became a travel writer, I was petrified of flying," Jones confessed in an interview. She recalled how the mere anticipation of turbulence would cause her to sweat, clutching the hand of any nearby companion for solace. Every minor jolt sent her heart racing, and she would often hold her breath until the aircraft landed safely.
The Unlikely Solution: The 'Jelly Theory'
Her perspective shifted dramatically thanks to an unconventional source: a viral TikTok video featuring a pot of jelly and a napkin. The clip, created by content creator Anna Paul – who boasts almost eight million followers – has amassed over 42 million views globally.
In the demonstration, which Paul credits to a pilot's tip, the jelly represents the air and a scrunched napkin symbolises the aeroplane. Placing the napkin inside the jelly, she explains that the aircraft is surrounded by pressure from all sides. When she taps the jelly to simulate turbulence, the napkin wobbles but remains securely embedded.
"You do not have to be scared," Paul advises viewers. "When you're in a plane and you're in turbulence, just imagine yourself in jelly and know you can't fall."
A Life-Changing Visual for Anxious Flyers
For Amy Jones, this simple visual analogy was transformative. "Now whenever there's the slightest motion or sign of turbulence, all I have to do is imagine the plane is jelly and voila! My fear melted away," she explained. She is not alone in finding solace in this so-called 'jelly theory'.
Hundreds of TikTok users have shared their own testimonials, crediting the metaphor for keeping them calm during bumpy flights. One user, @lea.pogatetz, filmed herself during turbulence, a situation that would previously have left her rigid with fear. Instead, she remained composed, captioning her video: "In moments like this I always remember how much I love Anna Paul for sharing the jelly theory with us."
For the legions of terrified travellers in the UK, it appears a dose of wobbly, gelatinous wisdom might be the unexpected key to staying steady in the sky. This quirky yet effective mental tool is providing tangible relief, turning nightmare journeys into manageable experiences.
