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When the Cabin Light Dims-emotional fatigues seeps in!
Let’s Explore Burnout and Emotional Fatigue beyond Physical Exhaustion
When the final cabin lights dim, the passengers try to control their excitement to reach their destinations. But for those in the Aviation industry- whether you’re flying the aircraft,serving in the cabin or managing ground operations it's not just a prelude to the next step on responsibilities and duties that you need to conduct. Didn’t quite get that? Let us break it down for you.
Have you ever felt that even after getting optimum sleep, you're still hungover from the previous day’s duties or do you feel heavy in your chest thinking about how your day is going to be, when you know very well it’s not your body that is asking for rest, but your mind ?
This is what we like to term as “cabin light dimming” of our own minds! This is a silent yet pervasive reality of emotional fatigue and burnout in our industry, even when we are technically “off duty”.
It is crucial to understand that emotional fatigue is not just being tired. This manifests into various forms which are overlooked by most aviators.
Compassion Fatigue:
This is especially prevalent among cabin crew and ground staff. Why? Because they are always “on” for the passengers. This type of fatigue usually occurs when there is drainage of energy while de-escalating tense situations and managing emotions, and with time you notice yourselves becoming more emotionless, less caring or even cynical.
Decision Fatigue & Hyper-Vigilance Hangover:
This is highly prevalent among pilots and air traffic controllers, where shear volumes of critical judgements made under immense pressure leads to mental exhaustion that lingers on while impairing judgements made outside the tower or cockpit. This leaves a residue of restlessness and anxiety throughout the day.
Loss of Passion: What might have started as a dream career can begin to feel like a relentless grind. The joy, the wonder, and the camaraderie can slowly erode, leaving behind a sense of detachment.
Irritability and Short Fuse: Minor inconveniences or frustrations in daily life can feel magnified, leading to snapping at loved ones or struggling to maintain composure at the workplace.
Feeling Disconnected:
Even when physically present with family or friends, a part of you might feel distant, preoccupied, or unable to fully engage.
If you face similar symptoms, know that you are not “weak”. It’s a sign of your mind and soul asking for help. No one can be pitch perfect every time.
Even the strongest soldiers fall in the battlefield, what makes them different is their ability to realize what is stopping them to move forward, and work constructively towards the goal.
So what can be done?Let’s not complicate things…..
Start paying attention to the signs than the symptoms. Pay attention to how you feel emotionally. Are you unusually irritable? Disconnected? Lacking motivation? These are signals!
When the cabin light dims, let's ensure it's a signal for rest, recovery, and the opportunity to reignite our own inner light, allowing us to continue soaring, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.
Activity Time…
Grab a piece of paper or open one of your fancy notes apps, and respond to these 4 prompts.
Turbulence: What’s one thing that has startled you this week? Is it restlessness, sudden anxiety or unexpected homesickness?
Clear Skies: Even with such turbulence, what was one moment that gave you “your moment of piece”- A warm smile from a passenger, words of appreciation or seeing your daughter on video call?
Fuel Level: How full is your emotional tank today? (0-100%)
Emergency Protocol: If the tank is too heavy, what’s one small action that you can take to feel grounded?- Take a power nap, talk to your childhood friend or go on a walk?
This exercise is a simple yet impactful step to realize- All that you had to do was Sit. Ponder. Pen down your thoughts….and just like that you found your personal therapy.
What are your strategies for combating emotional fatigue in Aviation? Share your insights and experiences in the comments – your shared wisdom can illuminate the path for others.
Jelin Mariya James
Author / Blogger
Stress In Aviation
How to
Tackle Aviation Stress
A Practical Guide to Identifying, Addressing, and Healing Aviator’s Mental Health Challenges with the Power of Basic Oral Therapy
By
Capt Shekhar Gupta-
Jelin Mariya James
