Author: Reyné O'Shaughnessy

Why is Changing Environment Difficult? Change is a challenging yet constant factor in the aviation industry. Due to the high-stakes nature of this business, any shift in environment or routine requires careful consideration and adaptation. Factors such as new technology, regulatory updates, and operational changes necessitate changes in business plans. However, those changes cause a… Continue reading Navigating Change in the Aviation Industry

I was recently approached by a company considering AI (artificial intelligence) for their mental health app for pilots. AI is the buzzword these days, but there’s a lot of debate and concern around its potential downsides, especially in the mental health space. I want to expand on some key points from recent research and expert… Continue reading AI in Mental Health: Proceed with Caution

Imposters: The Difference Between Novices and Experts in Aviation Mental Health In the past month, I’ve received numerous emails, phone calls, and LinkedIn messages about the aviation health and mental health movement. We have transitioned from fearing that mentioning mental health could be a career killer to understanding that it is integral to improving aviation safety.… Continue reading Imposters: The Difference Between Novices and Experts in Aviation Mental Health

Hello, and welcome to May! This month is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s talk about music and how it can boost your mood and positively benefit your mental health. Did you know that your favorite playlist does more than sound great? It could also be a real game-changer for your mental health. The Global… Continue reading Boost Your Mood with Music: Simple Tips for Every Day

There’s a substantial strong link between exercise and positive mental health effects. It can boost your mood, alleviate anxiety, and provide a nice distraction. It’s also especially important when you’re sheltering at home and a little more limited in your movement (for example, walking around your school, to get to classes versus sitting at the… Continue reading Get Moving, Get Outside

As we near the end of a tumultuous and consequential year, socially-distanced and avoiding large gatherings, now is the time to build a new habit…get quiet. It may seem strange to sit alone and ponder. For that matter, it may seem strange to sit alone and be quiet in your mind, to not think about… Continue reading End of the year thoughts on being quiet…

“The seeds we water grow.” -Thich Nhat Hanh Good self-care involves more than just eating an orange, showering, or brushing your teeth. It includes caring for yourself the way you would care for a child, with consideration and gentleness not just for your body but also for your mind and spirit. Mental health self-care is… Continue reading What is Self-Care?

Life is not a journey you want to make on autopilot. – Paula Rinehart There’s a challenge that most people face that we are often not even aware of. It’s being on autopilot. You can call it mindlessness or habitual reactivity, but it all boils down to moving through life without being aware of the… Continue reading Are You Living Life on Autopilot?

“Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Laozi There is a Taoist parable called ‘Accommodating the Water.’ As the story goes, an old man was walking along a riverbank. The river was swift and powerful rapids led to a tall waterfall just downstream. Suddenly, the man stumbled and fell into the… Continue reading A Bone of Non-contention

“Sometimes you need to press pause to let everything sink in.” -Sebastian Vettel One of the side effects of continued self-care, if you’re doing it right, is that you gain more self-awareness. This can be both good and bad. For instance, I reflected on a meltdown I had 15 years ago with one of my… Continue reading The Importance of a Pause