Publications

Reini Thijssen is a writer for Aero Crew News and writes articles about mental health, focusing on resources for pilots and aviation professionals.

These articles cover a wide variety of topics, including burnout, pilot mental health, life transitions, sexuality, stress management, and more.

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Five Strategies to Boost Work Happiness in 2025

With the new year, many people reassess their goals and seek ways to improve their lives. Finding joy at work can sometimes feel challenging, especially in demanding roles. However, this is an ideal time to take charge of your work satisfaction and implement positive changes. Effective strategies include focusing on what you can control, being open about challenges, and adopting a growth mindset. This article outlines five ways to enhance work enjoyment and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Regain a sense of control, resilience, and enjoyment for a more fulfilling professional experience.

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Managing Holiday Stress: Tips for Coping with Seasonal Pressure

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and cheer. But for many, it is a period of stress, anxiety, and even sadness. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. The holidays can bring up various challenges that make it difficult to feel the festive spirit. This article provides insight into various common reasons why the holiday season can be tough and strategies to better manage.

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How to Improve Self-Regulation

What is Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to observe, manage, and adapt emotions and behaviors in different situations. It involves key skills such as self-awareness, stress management, impulse control, emotional intelligence, and intentional decision-making. These skills allow you to respond to challenges in ways that align with your values rather than reacting impulsively.

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Navigating Control and Influence in Daily Life

Day-to-day challenges can weigh heavily on your mind, impacting every area of your life. For example, as a pilot, you face responsibilities from managing complex flight systems, responding to unexpected emergencies, and navigating high-pressure checkrides. These tasks present potential stressors that require your full attention and expertise.

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Flying Forward: The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2024 Explained

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2024, introduced by Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), aims to make mental health support more accessible for pilots and air traffic controllers. Aviation professionals face unique stressors, yet many hesitate to seek help out of fear for their jobs. This bipartisan bill is designed to change that.

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Ten Tips to Unlock Your Growth Mindset

We all hold beliefs about ourselves – what we can achieve and how we approach learning. This way of thinking forms our personal convictions, known as our mindset, which influences how we perceive and respond to challenges in life. Psychologist Carol Dweck developed the concept that there are two types of mindsets: fixed and growth mindsets. Her research shows that those with a fixed mindset avoid challenges, limiting growth, while those with a growth mindset continually improve. The good news is that our brains are adaptable, making it possible to create a growth mindset. This article provides ten tips to help you unlock the growth mindset.

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The Benefits of Couples Counseling

Navigating relationship challenges can be difficult and sometimes seeking outside help becomes essential. This is where couples counseling comes into play, offering a structured approach to address underlying issues and improve communication and dynamics between partners. Couples counseling incorporates various styles tailored to specific needs, from addressing communication breakdowns to...

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Rewire Your Stress Response with Polyvagal Theory

What Is Polyvagal Theory?

Polyvagal theory is a model that explains the role of the vagus nerve in regulating emotion, social connection, and fear response. Polyvagal theory provides valuable insights into how our bodies respond to stress and trauma. This theory helps explain why people react differently to similar stressful situations and highlights the importance of understanding these responses in therapy.

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Your QRH for Understanding Anxiety, Burnout, and Depression

In the world of mental health, distinguishing between anxiety, depression, and burnout can feel like trying to navigate through turbulent skies without a clear flight plan. Despite being distinct conditions, they often share commonalities, such as fatigue and loss of interest. Understanding their subtle differences is crucial for finding the right support and making positive changes. This article explores the nuances that set these mental-health conditions apart, offering insight into their unique traits and potential impact on your overall well-being.

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FAA Improves Certification Process for Pilots

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently implemented progressive changes regarding the medical certification of pilots with mental health conditions. Pilots can now receive immediate certification from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) even if they have up to two specific mental health diagnoses, provided they meet certain criteria.

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Understanding and Coping with Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are not just bouts of heightened anxiety; they are visceral experiences that can make you feel as though you're facing imminent danger or even death. These episodes typically arise suddenly and reach their peak within minutes, leaving you with lasting feelings of fear and distress.

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Challenges and Resources for LGBTQ+ Pilots

As a pilot who identifies as LGBTQ+, you may face challenges that can impact your personal and professional life. Understanding and addressing these challenges and having resources at hand is crucial for your well-being and career advancement. Here's a look at some of the key issues and which resources can help you navigate them.

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A Pilot’s Guide to Improving Sleep Without Medications

As pilots, achieving restorative sleep is not just essential; it's imperative for ensuring optimal performance and overall safety. However, the demanding nature of the profession, irregular schedules, and time-zone changes often lead to sleep difficulties. While medications are commonly used to manage insomnia symptoms, it does not address the underlying causes of sleep disturbances…

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First Aid for Checkride Anxiety 

Whether you are a student pilot working towards your private-pilot certificate or a 4.000-hour ATP going for a captain upgrade, you are expected to be evaluated for your performances in a practical test environment, and you are likely to experience a fear of…

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Saying No – Why It Is Important and How to Do It

How do you say no without hurting anyone's feelings? Why is saying no so tricky? Why do you say ′′Fine,” when you feel that you do not have the time, energy, or inclination to do what is asked of you? Many people are raised with the value that you must be nice and accommodate others. However, it turns out that saying no is not as difficult as it might seem. This step-by-step plan helps…

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7 Ways to Reduce Anxiety without Medications

Anxiety affects nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. While occasional anxiety is a normal response to stress, persistent anxiety can disrupt daily life and overall well-being. While medication is often prescribed for severe symptoms, many individuals prefer natural methods to manage anxiety without the potential side effects that medications may bring.

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Start Today: Improve Your Self-Confidence 

A lack of self-confidence is common. Low self-esteem can affect your motivation and can be damaging to your overall mental well-being and quality of life. But what is self-confidence, what causes a lack of self-confidence…

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How to Respond to Hurtful Comments  

Unsolicited advice, prejudices, toxic positivity, or ‘funny' comments are among the many ways in which family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers can verbally hurt us. Even if it was not…

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