Stress, Fatigue, and Pressure: How to Cope?
In an industry where ‘Safety’ and ‘Efficiency’ are ubiquitous buzzwords, it is crucial to develop and execute strategies to cope with stress, fatigue, and pressure in the operational environment. These three factors are constant companions. And in a stressful profession, the ability to cope is not just a ‘nice to have’. It is a ‘need to have’.
Being a pilot, cabin crew member, or maintenance staff comes with the risk of stress, fatigue, and pressure. Whether your job requires you to fly passengers or cargo safely from point A to point B, ensuring passenger safety in the cabin, or making sure that the aircraft is ready to fly out of the hangar, you bear a huge responsibility. Essentially, you are responsible for the lives and safety of others. Be it passengers, colleagues, or yourself.
In this article, we dive into strategies that enable aviation professionals to recognise, address, and cope with stress, fatigue, and pressure. Before fatality strikes.
Sources of Stress
Stress, fatigue, and pressure are inextricably linked. And they are often brought on by various external factors. This includes:
- Operational demands, unexpected events, and critical situations
- Long flights and shifts, different time zones, and irregular schedules
- The overarching focus on performing tasks meticulously, safely, and efficiently
In other words, stress, fatigue, and pressure cannot be ignored or postponed. It is crucial to recognise and address these factors as they can lead to reduced focus, human error, faulty decision-making, and increased safety risks. The consequences of not taking stress seriously can be devastating, if not fatal.
Read more: A Pilot, a Police Officer, and a Surgeon Walk into a Bar...
Never Ignore the Symptoms!
But how do you recognise stress and fatigue? Even though, there is no finite list of symptoms, you can come a long way by looking for the following symptoms within yourself or your colleagues.
STRESS is often associated with:
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Insomnia or restless sleep
- Irritability and mood swings
- Headaches, migraines, or muscle tension
- Uncontrollable thoughts and lack of concentration
In terms of FATIGUE, be aware of the following symptoms:
- Drained batteries and tiredness
- Reduced alertness
- Lack of concentration and poor decision-making
- Physical and mental weakness
- Muscle fatigue
- Weakened immune system and attributed illness
These insights help you recognise stress and fatigue. The question is how you can cope with stress and fatigue.
Coping with Stress
There are several strategies and practices aviation professionals can employ to cope with stress, fatigue, and pressure in the operational environment.
- Training, training, and training: Training in stress management, communication, and teamwork instils confidence and enhances skills. This strengthens the ability to manage stress and reduces the risk of human error and fatigue.
- Open and honest communication: Pilots, cabin crew members, and maintenance staff rely on their colleagues for support and teamwork. Establishing effective lines of communication enables colleagues to share experiences and concerns which can help reduce the burden of stress and enhance teamwork.
- Mental health programmes: The well-being and resilience of aviation professionals is crucial to countering stress and fatigue. Many organisations provide resources which support and strengthen the mental health of their employees.
- Prioritising lifestyle: It is crucial that aviation professionals maintain a lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest. This priority enhances resilience and helps counter the effects of stress and fatigue when under pressure.
Essentially, your organisation and employees can cope with stress, pressure, and fatigue by acknowledging the challenges and obstacles our industry faces – and understanding that feelings of stress or fatigue are normal in a profession as demanding as aviation.
Explore Our World of Active Learning
Get acquainted with MAYDAY - an interactive training solution for the global aviation industry.
Fight, Flight, or Freeze: How Does Your Body React to Stress?
Aviation is a stressful industry. Pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance staff must deal with stress every day, but their reactions to stress may manifest in different ways.
Decisions under Pressure: How Stress Affects Decision-Making
Every day, aviation professionals must make informed, safe, and efficient decisions. Coupled with a high-stakes and high-stress operational environment, decision-making becomes a crucial skill to possess and execute. Can your decisions stand the pressure?
Stress, Fatigue, and Pressure: How to Cope?
In a stressful profession like aviation, the ability to cope with stress, fatigue, and pressure is not just a ‘nice to have’. It is a ‘need to have’.