Pilots are humans who experience a great level of stress unlike the rest of us. Anytime they are in the air, they try to maintain a clear head because the lives of everyone rests in their hands. No matter how experienced a Pilot is, they are naturally anxious till the plane lands safely.

It is important the pilot is of sound mind all the time and this is why they need counseling. There are two common mental health conditions that affect Pilots: Anxiety disorders and Mood disorders.

Everyone experiences anxiety. We can unnecessarily worry about various things like work, personal health, finances, the family etc. There are several types of anxiety disorders like Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

For mood disorders, it is a range of conditions where the individual’s mood is the primary underlying factor.

There are many types of mood disorders like Bipolar disorder and depression. It is possible for the pilot to experience either anxiety disorders or mood disorders because of the peculiarity of their job.

However, with the help of the counselor, they will be able to pull through and do fine. Pilots need counseling because having any of these disorders is the last thing they need because they would be flying planes almost every time.

Pilots experience problems in various aspects of their lives and brooding over them while flying a plane is disadvantageous. This is why they need counseling to help them address their problems in a safe way.

Some Pilots might try to cut corners by taking anti-anxiety medication or anti-depressants, but it is not encouraged. It is better to take the long haul by going for counseling than to take drugs and put the lives of people at risk.  

It is important for all airlines to ensure the mental health of their pilots and staff are in a good condition. This would be helpful in curtailing any impending disaster.

One of the categories of professionals who faced stress-filled lives coupled with the hazards that comes with their job, are pilots.

A pilot’s job is no easy one and it is not for the faint-hearted. Before someone is certified to be a pilot, they must have undergone years of training before they are allowed to fly.

Whenever a pilot is flying a plane, the lives of hundreds of individuals are in his hands. Hence, he must be in the perfect state of mind to ensure everyone gets to their destination in one piece. If anything goes wrong with the pilot on the plane, all lives could be lost.

For a pilot to remain in one piece, it is important they give good consideration to their health. Here are some health tips for pilots to observe:

Take lots of water

The aircraft’s cabin air contains very low humidity. The air that enters the cabin is pumped by the air system, and this same air at that height is very high. Hence, your skin can get very dry and you will be thirsty quite often.

Coupled with the fact that you are concentrating on steering the plane, you need to take enough water to remain hydrated. The last thing you want to experience is getting dehydrated on the plane.

Take light and nutritious meals

Before a flight, it is best not to eat heavily to avoid experiencing discomfort. You need to eat a light meal that conforms to your body clock. Anything asides that would not be good for you as you might have to visit the restroom more often than usual.

Also, it is advisable to have fruits you can munch on from time to time.

Exercise

As a pilot, you will be on seat for several hours which is disadvantageous to your health. To counter this, you need to undergo physical exercise based on your schedule. You can dedicate 30 minutes per day for three days per week for physical activity.

Sleep properly

You don’t get to fly a plane everyday so it is advised to sleep properly when you are on break. This would help to de-stress and keep your body in one shape.