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.
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…
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 be developed.
Optimism is a mindset marked by a hopeful outlook on life. It means viewing challenges through a positive lens…
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; it means learning how to move through them without losing yourself. The good news is that resilience is a skill you can build, no matter where you start. This article explains resilience and shares science-backed strategies for strengthening it so you can handle stress, setbacks, and changes with…
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 can be incredibly challenging. From choosing a place to live to making career moves, constantly searching for the “perfect” choice can lead to missed opportunities and uncertainty. This article explores FOBO and offers an exercise to practice accepting “good enough” decisions.
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.
Ruminating—Your QRH to Rumination and How To Let Go
What if something I said to that First Officer last year still bothers them? What if that comment I made about their procedure has created tension between us that I have not even noticed? What if I missed a crucial detail during the pre-flight briefing that could compromise the safety of the flight, and I did not catch it at the time? It is natural to replay conversations or decisions like these in your mind, especially when you are unsure of the impact they might have had. However, when this kind of rumination takes over, it can spiral into endless “what-ifs” that drain your energy and productivity. Do you often lie awake at night, rehashing past…
The Warning Signs of Sports Betting and Its Impact on Flight Safety
Sports gambling is often marketed as a fun, harmless way to enhance the excitement of watching a game. Advertisements and promotions portray it as a thrilling pastime, but underneath lies a deeper issue: Sports gambling taps into the brain's reward system, creating a dangerous cycle of craving and dependence. For some, the rush of a winning bet can quickly spiral, especially with the rise of easily accessible online platforms.
Useful Mental Health Resources for Pilots
Mental health is a critical part of flight safety and pilot well-being. Whether you're managing a diagnosis, seeking FAA approval, or simply in need of support, help is available. Knowing your resources can make all the difference.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Journal to Boost Your Mental Health
Journaling is one of the easiest and most effective tools to support your mental health. It helps you process emotions, reduce stress, gain clarity, and improve your mindset. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply want to understand yourself better, journaling gives you a safe space to check in with your thoughts—no rules, no judgment.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.