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.
Off Autopilot: Choosing Hope in Uncertain Times
Turn on the news, scroll through social media, or listen to conversations around you, and you will find stories about uncertainty and things that seem to be going wrong. Add personal stressors such as relationship challenges, health concerns, financial uncertainty, or career setbacks, and it becomes understandable why many…
How to Deal With Rejection when it Feels Personal
Rejection is something everyone experiences at some point in life. A message that is left unanswered, a job application that is not successful, or feeling excluded from a group can all be surprisingly painful experiences — not because something is wrong with you, but because the brain treats…
The Reality of Change and Why It Is Hard
We are over halfway through the year now, and for many of us, the ambitious New Year’s resolutions from January are long gone. It is no longer “the new year,” the momentum has faded, and many of the resolutions we set back in December for the year may not have unfolded in..
How To Set Better Boundaries
Do you often feel overstimulated, or as if life is happening to you rather than with you? Many people recognize that feeling, and some thoughts that might come up are the following:
“I am constantly busy, but I don’t know what I actually want for myself.”
“Everyone seems to need something from me.”
“By the end of the day, my head feels full, like there’s no space left.”
“Some conversations leave me completely depleted.”
Setting boundaries is not easy. In fact, many people…
Managing Stress in Aviation: From Interviews to the Flight Deck
Stress is a constant factor in aviation. It can show up during interviews, checkrides, medicals, networking events, and moments of uncertainty in general. While the situations and contexts might change, the underlying question remains..
Reducing Risk with Implementing Psychological Safety in the Flight Deck
Do you remember a time you did not feel safe to speak up in the flight deck, or in a meeting? Chances are that something comes to mind immediately. Psychological safety is not an abstract idea. It shows up in how we talk to one another, how we handle mistakes, and how confident we feel to raise concerns. Whether in a flight deck, the office, or even..
Understanding and Managing ADHD Beyond Medication: Part 2
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often discussed in terms of challenges. However, living well with ADHD is very possible with the right approach and support. Through intentional structure and routines, healthy lifestyle habits, and evidence-based supports such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you can learn to manage symptoms more effectively. While the process requires..
Understanding and Managing ADHD Beyond Medication: Part 1
Struggling to finish tasks, feeling quickly overwhelmed by household chores, or frequently running late? These may be signs that your executive functions are not working at their best. While many people are familiar with these experiences, understanding what they really mean and what you can do about them is essential. Managing ADHD adds an extra layer of complexity for pilots, air traffic controllers, and..
2026—The Year You Thrive Through Strengths
As the New Year kicks off, we often start thinking about resolutions. Most New Year’s resolutions focus on fixing what is “wrong”: lose weight, get organized, stop procrastinating. What if the key to a more satisfying year is not about fixing these flaws, but building on what is already strong? Research in..
Skip the Winter Dip
Many people experience a noticeable dip in mood and energy during the colder months; a pattern often called the “winter blues.” In more serious cases, this is recognized as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). With less sunlight, colder weather, and shorter days, it is common to feel more tired, low..
You Made It, And Now What? Understanding The Arrival Fallacy
After achieving a personal milestone, upgrading, or completing a long-term project, you might expect a wave of fulfillment. Instead, many people feel a surprising sense of emptiness or uncertainty, and the surprising, often quiet question comes up: “Why do I not feel…
Nine Ways to Get Better at Small Talk
Almost everything, friendships, relationships, and even careers, often begin with small talk. Although it usually has a reputation for being shallow or meaningless, having brief, light conversations actually bring many benefits. From boosting your mood, improving relationships, to safer flights, small talk is incredibly valuable. Small talk is essential on the flight…
Boost Your Mood the Natural Way
In today's world, we are constantly chasing happiness. We strive for success, seek out new experiences, and surround ourselves with beautiful things in the hope that they'll bring lasting joy. In the process, we often forget something important: our bodies are capable of producing happiness through simple, everyday actions. Your body naturally produces several “feel-good” chemicals that play crucial roles in..
5 Insights About the Female Libido
Persistent misconceptions still shape how we view women’s sexuality: that women have fewer sexual partners than men, think about sex less often, and rarely pursue casual encounters. However, various research over the yeast has challenged these notions. Here are five surprising insights into the female libido.
Understanding the Window of Tolerance for Better Stress Management
Every day, we all experience varying degrees of stress. Stress is a normal part of life, and occasional stress is not only manageable—it can even be beneficial, helping us build resilience. However, it can be hard to understand what is happening to us during moments of stress, fear, or emotional overwhelm. The Window of Tolerance helps explain why…
Psychological Effects on Pilots Who Fear Talking About Mental Health
Pilots often hesitate to discuss mental health due to fear of losing their FAA medical certification. This article explains the psychological effects of that fear, including stress, shame, and cognitive dissonance, and how it can impact focus and well-being in the cockpit. It emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness, psychological safety, and seeking support through aviation-informed counselors or..
The Benefits of Optimism (Not Toxic Positivity) and How to Build It
Some people naturally trust themselves and expect a positive outcome, while others are more inclined to anticipate the worst. Are you someone who tends to see the glass as half empty? If so, there is good news: optimism is a skill that can..
The Science Behind Building Resilience
Taking care of your mental well-being does not just happen automatically; we have to work at it. Feeling good in your own skin and living a fulfilling life takes effort and attention. One of the best ways to support your mental health is by building resilience: the ability to adapt, bounce back, and grow through life's challenges. Resilience does not mean avoiding hard times, change, or challenges..
How ‘Good Enough’ Helps Overcome FOBO (Fear of Better Options)
Many people struggle with FOBO or the “Fear of Better Options.” This fear causes you to avoid making decisions, always waiting for a potentially better option to come along. While it may seem like a luxury problem, it can still feel intensely stressful; creating doubt, restlessness, and tension that keeps you awake, questioning what to do next. For pilots, this indecision..
Building Resilience - Worksheets Window Of Tolerance
The Window of Tolerance is your emotional comfort zone, the place where you feel calm, present, and able to handle life’s stress.
When you're in your window, you can manage work, relationships, and challenges without feeling overwhelmed. But when stress builds, you may move outside that window. There are two main states outside the window:
Hyperarousal – anxious, angry, on edge
Hypoarousal – disconnected, tired, spaced out
Recognizing these signs in yourself and others helps you respond with more awareness.