"Dealing with Stress: It's Not Just About Flying Anymore." Mark Berg MA, LPC, CEAP, SAP Senior Manager Employee Assistant Program ExpressJet Airlines
Stressed? What exactly is STRESS to you? Is it the same for everyone? Life is like an ice-cream cone; you have to lick it one day at a time." -- Charles Schulz American cartoonist
A response to a stimulus characterized by increased physical and psychological AROUSAL (Everly, 1999)
Stress Reaction Categories FIGHT FLIGHT FREEZE The most effective way to do it is to do it." -- Amelia Earhart American aviation pioneer
Eustress vs. Distress Two intensity levels of stress: Eustress & Distress Eustress = Positive, motivating stress Distress = Excessive, debilitating stress
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." Theodore Roosevelt 26th President of the United States
Stress Factors for Pilots in Today s s World: What comes to mind for you TODAY? How is that different then yesterday? I am sure many pop into your mind. Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude." -- Colleen C. Barrett president emeritus of Southwest Airlines
The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them." -- Robert Frost American poet Areas of Stress for Pilots Schedules of flying Cut in hours and uncertainty of job status Incidences while flying Reserve Moving to left seat Not passing a PC (or 2) 4 day trips Lack of sleep
Family Another One Spouse/significant other or lack thereof Maybe juggling to many relationships Starting a family Babies Teens College kids Time at home Just never enough time.
Finances And More Not enough Over debt Upside down on house Retirement/stock market Student loans Pay cuts About the time we can make the ends meet, somebody moves the ends." -- Herbert Hoover 31st U.S. President
Big One for Medicals Health Issues Not taking care of self Eating Alcohol/drugs Not exercising Overweight Hypertension Others I kept myself calm by making sure I didn't concentrate on anything I couldn't control." -- B.J. Bedford Olympic swimmer
Suicides Yeah, right. Not with pilots right? UAL 4 suicides in recent years 2 in Denver & 1 FFDO on Christmas NWA 4 suicides CAL 2 suicides recent in San Francisco XJT not exactly sure. Several deaths.
Signs and Symptoms of Physical Fatigue Twitches Dizziness Weakness Headaches Muscle tremors Grinding of teeth Stress
Cognitive Confusion Hyper vigilance Blaming others more Poor attention Poor problem solving/abstract thinking Increase/decrease in awareness of surroundings The customer doesn't expect everything will go right all the time; the big test is what you do when things go wrong." -- Sir Colin Marshall CEO of British Airways
Emotional Guilt Panic Denial Intense Anger Feeling overwhelmed Anxiety Irritability/agitation I used to think anyone doing anything weird was weird. Now I know that it is the people that call others weird that are weird." -- Paul McCartney English singer, songwriter and musician
Behavioral Withdrawn Antisocial acts Change in social activities Loss /increase of appetite Increase of alcohol consumption Change in usual communication Do not fear going forward slowly; fear only to stand still." -- Chinese proverb
Feeling Depressed Yet? So what do we do now? How do you take care of you? I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful." -- Bob Hope entertainer
So, How Do I Cope? Some good ideas: Eat well balanced meals Get plenty of sleep Maintain as normal of a schedule as you can Structure your time Stay active A word to the wise ain't necessary; it's the stupid ones who need the advice." -- Bill Cosby actor and comedian
More Give yourself permission to have rotten days Get involved in hobbies Volunteer and give back Do things you enjoy A clever person turns great troubles into little ones and little ones into none at all." -- Chinese proverb
Cautions Do not overdo alcohol or other drugs Be careful about isolating Don t t make life changing decisions based on feelings Realize those around you are stressed as well If feeling totally overwhelmed, seek help If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice." -- Conan O'Brien Late night talk show host
Dealing With Those Around You: Be available to listen to them Give reassurance Spend some extra time with them if possible Help out with everyday task/chores
Continued Give then some space and private time Don t t take anger or other feelings toward you personally Kids are going to need a little more TLC Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." --Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel author and illustrator
The crisis of today is the joke of tomorrow." -- H. G. Wells English author
Questions? Mark Berg (281) 553 4285 Mark.Berg@ExpressJet.com