I've bought a joystick (some inexpensive HOTAS set actually [1]) specifically for playing helicopter sims. It makes a world of a difference. I mean, still hard, but suddenly approachable at all and fun. And notably, all the hand movements you do must be super tiny. According to youtube, that's how it is on real helis too.

[1] namely, Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X, IIRC