Stressed and trouble to relax
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Stressed and trouble to relax
Hello there,
I fly as a captain for a commuter airline. A very nice job for me which I enjoy a lot. But recently I have noticed some very nasty side affects to the job. On a normal day I find myself doing 4+ legs with short turn-arounds. The usual schedule for this type of operation. With aircraft and cabin crew changes this can be quite hectic though. So far so good, since I enjoy having to be a bit flexible.
But the last few months I have noticed that I am having more and more problems shaking of the stress from the job. I find myself getting in the high gear and staying there till well after the last parking checklist. I think that my performance on the job is not affected as such because when something irregular happens I will take the time for it to sort out the problem, but I can feel my health is reacting in other ways.
When I finish the day and head for my car I find myself regularly with pain in my chest at various levels. Also it takes me quite some time to relax after that and I suspect I take some of the things which have happened home with me. And on top of it all I find myself smoking more then a pack a day these times. All does not seem very normal to me for a guy under 30.
Can anybody give some advice on how to cope with the situation, or maybe some experiences from you guys on this matter. It would mean a lot to me, this thing is controlling my live a bit.
Thanks
I fly as a captain for a commuter airline. A very nice job for me which I enjoy a lot. But recently I have noticed some very nasty side affects to the job. On a normal day I find myself doing 4+ legs with short turn-arounds. The usual schedule for this type of operation. With aircraft and cabin crew changes this can be quite hectic though. So far so good, since I enjoy having to be a bit flexible.
But the last few months I have noticed that I am having more and more problems shaking of the stress from the job. I find myself getting in the high gear and staying there till well after the last parking checklist. I think that my performance on the job is not affected as such because when something irregular happens I will take the time for it to sort out the problem, but I can feel my health is reacting in other ways.
When I finish the day and head for my car I find myself regularly with pain in my chest at various levels. Also it takes me quite some time to relax after that and I suspect I take some of the things which have happened home with me. And on top of it all I find myself smoking more then a pack a day these times. All does not seem very normal to me for a guy under 30.
Can anybody give some advice on how to cope with the situation, or maybe some experiences from you guys on this matter. It would mean a lot to me, this thing is controlling my live a bit.
Thanks
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i know the smokes are killing me. That is quite obvious. It is just that on a day off I would not have these problems. Offcourse if I would quite smoking I wouldnt have them either I guess.
I know your right to see a doctor. But he will tell me the same thing as you just did. And quitting smoking is not the easiest thing if you find yourself in a stress situation. You see my problem?
Thanks for th reply though.
F76
I know your right to see a doctor. But he will tell me the same thing as you just did. And quitting smoking is not the easiest thing if you find yourself in a stress situation. You see my problem?
Thanks for th reply though.
F76
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I'm more concerned about your chest pain. If it comes on after a brisk walk to the car following a stressful day...it could be angina where the heart muscles are not getting enough oxygen.
I'm not trying to add to your stress but this is something that you should get looked at before anything else.
I'm not trying to add to your stress but this is something that you should get looked at before anything else.
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<<I know the smokes are killing me.>>
You are a fool, sir. Do you not have a family or anyone else close to you as well as the passengers strapped to you back to consider? Think of them; pull yourself together; stop smoking and get to a doc.
Tomorrow is the next day of the rest of YOUR life.
Good luck...
You are a fool, sir. Do you not have a family or anyone else close to you as well as the passengers strapped to you back to consider? Think of them; pull yourself together; stop smoking and get to a doc.
Tomorrow is the next day of the rest of YOUR life.
Good luck...
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Thanks, you guys are all right. I am going to start changing things for the better. I am a fool for doing this and I know it.
Thank you for helping me think about this.
Thank you for helping me think about this.
Psychophysiological entity
Hi, sounds like good advice, and sounds like you will make the effort to act on this advice. But still, let me just add a few comments.
With flying, the stress should be just part of the job...something that you expect to feel; almost invigorating. However, explained in simplistic terms, Nicotine has a way of turning good stress' into a very destructive kind of stress. This in turn will affect your overall health by directly affecting your immune system.
By this means, smoking could alter your body chemistry' very significantly.
There is now very solid evidence showing that stress gives a short term boost to the immune system, but then causes a long term suppression of this vital function. Your overall health can suffer significantly as the result of the wrong stress reaction.
It is your clear duty to check out the chest pain. The odds are that you will be ok, and at your age, in one year from now, you could be clear of all smoking side effects and be practicing a good aerobic sport. It's up to you. Good luck.
With flying, the stress should be just part of the job...something that you expect to feel; almost invigorating. However, explained in simplistic terms, Nicotine has a way of turning good stress' into a very destructive kind of stress. This in turn will affect your overall health by directly affecting your immune system.
By this means, smoking could alter your body chemistry' very significantly.
There is now very solid evidence showing that stress gives a short term boost to the immune system, but then causes a long term suppression of this vital function. Your overall health can suffer significantly as the result of the wrong stress reaction.
It is your clear duty to check out the chest pain. The odds are that you will be ok, and at your age, in one year from now, you could be clear of all smoking side effects and be practicing a good aerobic sport. It's up to you. Good luck.
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Everyone else has given you very sound advice on the only course of action you should take ie: going to see your doctor (and also giving up smoking). Lou is right, age does not come into the equation. I was a nurse in a Regional Coronary Care Unit in a big city in the UK. Whilst working there I looked after several young men who had seemed to be fit and well but who smoked and had had a myocardial infarction (heart attack). I would just add three things.
Firstly, you should take this very seriously indeed, declare yourself sick and go straight to see your doctor.
The second is to take a few minutes to wind down whenever you feel particularly stressed and after each shift. Once you have reached your car spend a few minutes just sitting relaxing and listening to some gentle, soothing music before you even consider driving off. Perhaps you could take a personal cd player with you on board the aircraft and have similar music playing during the turn round. You don't have to make a conscious effort to stop and listen, just having it playing quietly in the background will help. A little time taken to sort things out now may save lots of upset later.
Thirdly, if you drink a lot of coffee cut it down but wean yourself off it gradually. Don't try to just stop as the effects of doing so can be quite nasty. Try doing it over a couple of weeks by replacing one or two cups a day with decaffeinated coffee or fruit juice or water and increase the number of cups replaced every few days. Good luck, I hope this is just a scare which helps you to sort yourself out.
Firstly, you should take this very seriously indeed, declare yourself sick and go straight to see your doctor.
The second is to take a few minutes to wind down whenever you feel particularly stressed and after each shift. Once you have reached your car spend a few minutes just sitting relaxing and listening to some gentle, soothing music before you even consider driving off. Perhaps you could take a personal cd player with you on board the aircraft and have similar music playing during the turn round. You don't have to make a conscious effort to stop and listen, just having it playing quietly in the background will help. A little time taken to sort things out now may save lots of upset later.
Thirdly, if you drink a lot of coffee cut it down but wean yourself off it gradually. Don't try to just stop as the effects of doing so can be quite nasty. Try doing it over a couple of weeks by replacing one or two cups a day with decaffeinated coffee or fruit juice or water and increase the number of cups replaced every few days. Good luck, I hope this is just a scare which helps you to sort yourself out.
Last edited by DX Wombat; 7th Feb 2005 at 09:17.
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De-Stressing
Try two heaped tablespoons of Horlicks in hot water about an hour before bed-time. Very relaxing - as good as Tomazepam or Valium is to some pill-poppers.
Getting a good night's rest is half the battle. Weaning yourself off smokes via nicorette patches is the other half
DD
reformed smoker (& inveterate drinker of red wines)
Getting a good night's rest is half the battle. Weaning yourself off smokes via nicorette patches is the other half
DD
reformed smoker (& inveterate drinker of red wines)
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Thank you all very much for the support here. By now I have seen a doctor who confirmed that the symtoms I had were obviously related to my smoking habits and my overall livestyle. But he could also say that in principle no permenant damage has been done (yet). We have come up with a program to get my fitness back into good order, starting with taking a week off from work and quitting smoking. Then we will add some sports and take it from there.
I can feel much relieve now that I have started to improve the situation. I feel ashamed for letting things come this far. In my case it is not only my own life I am putting on the line but as well that of 50 or so people in the back and my family as well
. However at least there is something I can do about it now 
.
I have done some studies and found out that no more then 3 procent of all smokers will succeed in quitting this year. That is how strong this terrible thing is dragging the people down. I feel fortunate that I have been given this warning and for having strong arguments to stop it RIGHT NOW!
I hope to hear all of you very soon again in the safe skies above our heads
.
Kind Regards.
I can feel much relieve now that I have started to improve the situation. I feel ashamed for letting things come this far. In my case it is not only my own life I am putting on the line but as well that of 50 or so people in the back and my family as well
. However at least there is something I can do about it now .I have done some studies and found out that no more then 3 procent of all smokers will succeed in quitting this year. That is how strong this terrible thing is dragging the people down. I feel fortunate that I have been given this warning and for having strong arguments to stop it RIGHT NOW!
I hope to hear all of you very soon again in the safe skies above our heads
.Kind Regards.
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Giving up smoking is not easy, but the reason most people fail is because they think they "ought to" give up - and that is very very different to really "wanting to" give up. There is a huge gulf between the two, but if you decide you really want to - then you will succeed.
I would suggest writing down a list of the reasons you want to give up, the benefits of doing so and what you will gain. Every time you are tempted, take out this list and read through it. It should help.
That in itself should stop you physically smoking.
Withdrawal from the drug side of it - I found the nicotine gum helped, though only ever really needed it with a beer.
If none of that works, another suggestion is a good hypnotist, works wonders for some people.
Good luck.
I would suggest writing down a list of the reasons you want to give up, the benefits of doing so and what you will gain. Every time you are tempted, take out this list and read through it. It should help.
That in itself should stop you physically smoking.
Withdrawal from the drug side of it - I found the nicotine gum helped, though only ever really needed it with a beer.
If none of that works, another suggestion is a good hypnotist, works wonders for some people.
Good luck.
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Fortuna, I am very pleased to hear your news. As agedsays, giving up smoking isn't easy, nicotine is a nasty drug but you sound as if you have what it takes to do it. Good luck to you and perhaps you will come back and tell us how you are managing from time to time? 
As agedsays, giving up smoking isn't easy, nicotine is a nasty drug but you sound as if you have what it takes to do it. Good luck to you and perhaps you will come back and tell us how you are managing from time to time?
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well done fortuna
someone here recommended Alan Carr's book. I would second that recommendation. Give it a go - its only a few pounds and it could help you
After 15 years of a pack a day i gave up a while ago - it is eminently do-able. It might not seem like that now, but it is. And then you will be free....
I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it
p.s. bit of an unfortunate choice of moniker there fortuna - if i remember my spanish exchange days in Cordoba correctly, Fortuna is a ciggy brand !
someone here recommended Alan Carr's book. I would second that recommendation. Give it a go - its only a few pounds and it could help you
After 15 years of a pack a day i gave up a while ago - it is eminently do-able. It might not seem like that now, but it is. And then you will be free....
I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it
p.s. bit of an unfortunate choice of moniker there fortuna - if i remember my spanish exchange days in Cordoba correctly, Fortuna is a ciggy brand !
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Yeah, thatīs how I came up with the name. I had to come up with something an then saw the pack of fortuna next to the computer. So I went for it. Anyway maybe I would have to change that a bit, or it is just a good reminder.
Yeah Allen Carr, I love that guy. His book is very good. Unfortunately I read it about 5 years ago and quite smoking as a result. Then after one year I was stupid enough to start again. I read the book a second time but since it is a form of self hypnosis it only works the first time you are reading it, since the second time you know what is coming. Anyway I did go through a couple of good chapters to boost my convidence in quitting.
As a whole I am doing great. I feel much healthier without smoking and I get some excercise as well. So all is going in the right direction.
regards
Yeah Allen Carr, I love that guy. His book is very good. Unfortunately I read it about 5 years ago and quite smoking as a result. Then after one year I was stupid enough to start again. I read the book a second time but since it is a form of self hypnosis it only works the first time you are reading it, since the second time you know what is coming. Anyway I did go through a couple of good chapters to boost my convidence in quitting.
As a whole I am doing great. I feel much healthier without smoking and I get some excercise as well. So all is going in the right direction.
regards
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fortuna76
Hey fortuna76 I was interested in your story. Food for thought. Obviously we all know about smoking and the disadvantages but I have another angle.
Sometimes when you are stressed your stomache increases acid build up as a reaction. This stressful tension causes your diaphragm to induce your stomach to leak acid up into your asophegus (sorry if the spelling is wrong) which feels like a chest pain.
The reason I know about this is because of the stress I had whilst holding down a family, stressful travelling job and doing ATPL theory exams all at once. I had a berilium meal (they make you swallow a chalky shake and with x ray watch it move through your stomach as they turn you upside down. You then drink water, lots fast and then they measure stomach leakage). When I had this done I was told that my stomach 'cap' was leaking acid feeling like heart burn, which could panic you into thinking of the worst of course. Anyway after my ATPL's were finished and life slowed down it all got better and seems to be OK.
So what I'm trying to say is it may be something else and what you need to develop is relaxation techniques and chill time.
The gym works for my 'personal time' with a sauna but everyone has different ideas whether music, meditation or walking.
Anyway hope this helps.
Lamma
Sometimes when you are stressed your stomache increases acid build up as a reaction. This stressful tension causes your diaphragm to induce your stomach to leak acid up into your asophegus (sorry if the spelling is wrong) which feels like a chest pain.
The reason I know about this is because of the stress I had whilst holding down a family, stressful travelling job and doing ATPL theory exams all at once. I had a berilium meal (they make you swallow a chalky shake and with x ray watch it move through your stomach as they turn you upside down. You then drink water, lots fast and then they measure stomach leakage). When I had this done I was told that my stomach 'cap' was leaking acid feeling like heart burn, which could panic you into thinking of the worst of course. Anyway after my ATPL's were finished and life slowed down it all got better and seems to be OK.
So what I'm trying to say is it may be something else and what you need to develop is relaxation techniques and chill time.
The gym works for my 'personal time' with a sauna but everyone has different ideas whether music, meditation or walking.
Anyway hope this helps.
Lamma
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hi guys
i too have recently had some heartburn feelings, i'm very young still, only 19yrs old. But the weird thing for me, is that it's not really painfull, it's just a feeling that something isn't right. And also, it's very very randomly, though I recently discovered that if I drink Cola(Coke) for a while it increases, same with coffee. I allready went to my doc for this and he said it was probably due to stress. I'm currently doing my training, ATPL, in a foreign country, so this is all new to me, as i've been raised 'spoiled'. Now i have to do most things myself. He also said my habit of drinking too much when going out could have been a factor aswell.
The other weird thing is that i started feeling it on a moment while i was allready sitting in the classroom for 1 hour. I don't have pains when i go running or so. I do, however, have a very high heartrate, due to me lacking sport. on which i'm working now, trying to do some cardio training.
My doc gave me a type of herbal de-stress cap, and it did do 'a job', as it did decrease the rate at which i felt the pains, and the intensity aswell.
I'm really totally dazzled by this, anybody can help me on this?
I do feel fit, and healthy though my sleep is very limited lately due to early morning flights and late evening classes...
Perhaps also the fear of having a serious issue which could lead to losing my medical class 1 makes me panic and gives me panic-stress?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!!
i too have recently had some heartburn feelings, i'm very young still, only 19yrs old. But the weird thing for me, is that it's not really painfull, it's just a feeling that something isn't right. And also, it's very very randomly, though I recently discovered that if I drink Cola(Coke) for a while it increases, same with coffee. I allready went to my doc for this and he said it was probably due to stress. I'm currently doing my training, ATPL, in a foreign country, so this is all new to me, as i've been raised 'spoiled'. Now i have to do most things myself. He also said my habit of drinking too much when going out could have been a factor aswell.
The other weird thing is that i started feeling it on a moment while i was allready sitting in the classroom for 1 hour. I don't have pains when i go running or so. I do, however, have a very high heartrate, due to me lacking sport. on which i'm working now, trying to do some cardio training.
My doc gave me a type of herbal de-stress cap, and it did do 'a job', as it did decrease the rate at which i felt the pains, and the intensity aswell.
I'm really totally dazzled by this, anybody can help me on this?
I do feel fit, and healthy though my sleep is very limited lately due to early morning flights and late evening classes...
Perhaps also the fear of having a serious issue which could lead to losing my medical class 1 makes me panic and gives me panic-stress?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!!
