Fatigue and wellness

“Time fatigue “: feeling drained or exhausted due to lack of time or an overwhelming schedule – is a well-versed phrase in the life of the flying crew. “I often was more familiar with the “accumulated fatigue “and actually experienced as well. When one is at the peak of the career, the full thrust is on the performances, achievements and accolades. Actually, one is so pre-occupied that final outcome is more important than the trivial issues, wellness could be one of them. These all the life propelling issues that take you fast forward that wellness of the self takes a backstage.

Chrono-fatigue a more appropriate for flying crew is state of weariness or burnout resulting from the relentless passage of time and demanding its places on one’s energy and resources. The circadian cycle also known as the body's internal clock regulates physical and mental processes over a period of 24 hours. These disruptions can significantly impact flying crew work schedule in flight as well as later on after the flight. The are various issues ,which spring up due to continuous flying and crossing the different time zones and could result in multiple issues-which could be mental , physical, emotional , physiological, as well as traumatic (combination of personal experience and situational issues coupled with varying factors as discussed earlier.)

The physical effects result in reduce alertness, energy and reaction time. Sleep disturbances like insomnia/ excessive sleepiness***** directly affects the alertness and response to the any inadvertent situation which might occur.

The digestive issues like loss of appetite, gastrointestinal problems and in severe cases even nausea can cause a very disruptive pattern in the life of flight crew. There had been cardiovascular problems, becoming more prevalent is increased risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure adds also notably the cases of cancer. Also, in the different time zones the body is subjected to different kind of light/ twilight are dark issues where the body responds automatically, or we can say that defence system or the corrective system of the body works on its own, which we refer to as body clock.

Mentally also there could be a decrease concentration in decision making abilities. There had been instances of mood disturbances where the crew could not establish the proper communication between the crew members whether between cockpit and cabin or intra cabin communication. There had been instances at times which have resulted into an abusive behaviour. The reduced stress situational awareness to assess and respond, dramatically decreases and that is the reason in long haul flights the extra crew is given specially the cockpit crew where they could take rest and try to beat the time difference.

Among the cabin crew also every crew is assigned a rest period during the span of 14 hours of flight where a short nap or an energy or power nap can bring up the efficiency level of the crew to certain extent. It could be an attempt to match the sleep schedules to match the destination time zone

To mitigate the effects of fatigue, which could be due to various reasons or multiple reasons is not a single payment or a device which can cancel the effects settled in the body over the period of time. t

The next important issue for the crew is to take appropriate rest, avoid caffeine, alcohol and electronics before the bedtime.

Taking regular breaks engaging in physical activity that is why you find the crew members are very active in a hotel for the gym exercises. Practicing relaxation techniques should be added in due course of time in the CRM. Meditation, pranayama and energising your soul-searching practices should be introduced. These new introductions would enforce equilibrium in heir personal and professional life.

By acknowledging and addressing the physical and mental effects of the circadian cycle disruptions, irregular working hours or flying hours, the body being subjected to pressurised cabin for a long period of time than the normal human beings (physiological and biological effects) ,  and reducing or mitigating the negative effects of the circadian cycle would be a challenging effort. Accessing support services, mental health resources and physical Wellness initiatives could play a significant role in writing the script for the benefit of the flying crew. it’s not going to be a one pen one idea solution, but the crew has to incorporate daily changes in their life.

The lifestyle, the eating patterns and over and above all the most important is disciplined life. It is easier said than done. The cabin crew or the flying crew is also a human being, and they have all their personal priorities where the Wellness or the physical wellbeing at times is ignored, which actually should be on the priority list as number one.

As per my experience and my tips in life I find that courage, commitment, confidence and conviction are the most important factors engaging yourself into a disciplined life. The mental health of the flight crew and the positive attitude (something to thwart out the issues in most peaceful and serene way) Nothing in the world is impossible which cannot be rectified of which cannot be solved!! what is required is absolute conviction and confidence in yourself and a positive approach. Everything is possible, and I say with full conviction because I have experienced that.