Stress and fatigue are some of the most common health issues affecting pilots and influencing air safety. At 12,500 – 50,000 feet above sea level, many factors lead to fatigue and degenerative changes affecting two of your body’s maintenance systems – Circulatory and Respiratory. Solid foundational health is key to having health resiliency and maintaining professional longevity.

Using the Five P’s approach: create a daily Plan that incorporates water consumption, meals/snacks, sleep and exercise and keep it simple. Think of your physical body as the Plane, your brain and awareness as the Pilot, flight crew as Passengers and your aircraft and the ATC’s as Programming.

By using this model, it will be easier to check on aggregated steps over time to see how you’re doing. And of course, with annual or semi-annual recertification physicals, you’ll see improvements. Good health comes from continuous steps and just like sound investments, gain dividends with the right contributions.

Let’s look at how these habits can powerfully keep you in top form:

Hydration – drink half your body weight in ounces of filtered water each day

  • Helps with stiffness, exercise recovery and mental clarity
  • Helps flush and support the Immune and Lymphatic systems when sedentary
  • Moistens internal and external skin leading to improved Immune and Digestive function

Meals and Snacks – eat a balanced diet – one third complex carbs, one third protein, one third good fats

  • Consuming high-quality food and water sustain better energy levels
  • Strive to eat or snack every three to four hours for better blood sugar balance, liver health and mood
  • Pack healthy snacks and simple meals for convenience, quality control and craving avoidance

Sleep – seven to eight quality hours each night

  • Supports healthy brain function, mental acuity and good memory
  • Regenerates all organs of elimination and supports healthy hormone balance
  • Boosts levels of Growth Hormone produced for replenishing the body while at rest

Exercise – stretching and movement

  • Improves ability to rest and sleep well
  • Mental and mood balance from producing healthy biochemicals
  • Walk, swim, run, elliptical, stretch, weights, Yoga – 10-15 minutes is better than 0 minutes!

It will take a little time to get comfortable with new components or improvements to your existing plan and daily activities. You could easily see improved lab and physical exam results even though you’re biologically aging. Enhancing Circulation and Respiration positively affects every organ, gland, tissue and system of your body. Once you feel improvements from any new steps, that momentum builds upon itself as you take flight with better health and quality of life. Start today and feel brighter almost immediately!