Skydiving and Stress: How Do You Deal With It?

Stress is normal – even in the plane

Skydiving is exciting. Period. Your body reacts instinctively: increased heart rate, dry mouth, tingling hands. For many, it’s the first time they feel their stress response this raw and intense.

But that doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Stress isn’t your enemy. It’s information. And during an AFF course or A license training, you’ll learn how to work with that tension instead of against it.

Skydiving as mental training

Every jump is an exercise in focus, breathing, and letting go. That moment when you’re sitting on the floor of the plane, the door opens — it’s the most nerve-wracking and most valuable part of the day.

Skydiving shows you the power of your mind — and how important it is to sometimes let go of that mind. Because thinking doesn’t keep you in the air. Trust does.

Checklist: How to handle stress while skydiving

Breathe consciously: In through your nose, slowly out through your mouth. Do this a few times before approaching the door. It calms your nervous system.
Focus on the process: Don’t think about “the jump,” think about the steps you need to take. What’s the sequence? What have you practiced?
Visualize your jump: Close your eyes and see yourself exiting the plane in a stable position. Repeat this mentally — it really helps.
Set an intention: Tell yourself what you want to gain from the jump. “I want to build trust.” Or: “I can be nervous and enjoy this.”
Move your body: Walk around, shake out your arms. Stress also lives in your muscles.
Be kind to yourself: Feeling nervous is part of it. Even experienced skydivers feel it. There’s no “right” or “wrong” feeling before a jump.

Talk about it – don’t let stress grow in silence

If you’re feeling tense before a jump, say it. To your instructor, to your buddy, to yourself. You don’t have to act tough. By being open, you create space — for guidance, breathing, even humor — and eventually, trust.

Many people think they’re the only ones who are scared. That’s never true.
Some grew up being told not to show vulnerability. To push through without complaint. But skydiving isn’t a fight. It’s a journey. And you don’t walk it alone.

At Airboss, we encourage you to bring everything you feel. Not to hide it — but to use it. That way, each jump becomes more than just a physical challenge. It becomes a mental breakthrough.

After landing: it all falls into place

The first jump is often life-changing. Not because you jumped out of a plane, but because you went through something — right through your fear. And that feeling stays with you. In your body, in your mind, in your life.

Skydiving with awareness

At Airboss, we focus not only on your skills in the air, but also on what happens inside. Our approach is personal. Mindful. Purposeful. And always with space for who you are — stressed or not.

Especially during our new Ground Control retreat in Royan, we combine AFF training with mental growth, reflection, and relaxation. Because skydiving starts with courage, but it’s about much more than just that.

Are you ready for it?

Do you want to find out what it’s like to turn tension into strength?
Do you want to learn to skydive and stand stronger — in the air and on the ground?

Check out the Accelerated Freefall course

“Courage is not what you feel when fear disappears, but what you do even when it’s still there.”