A Study on Health Promotion Management Plan for Air Traffic Controllers and Pilots in Post-COVID-19: Focusing on Singing Bowl Meditation

Abstract

COVID-19 has severely impacted the aviation industry, with air travel declining sharply and airlines cutting capacity as a result. Additionally, many countries have closed their borders to block spread of the virus. Air traffic controllers and pilots have also experienced negative effects, in that the experience required to maintain proficiency has decreased over the past three years. This has resulted in financial problems for airlines and air traffic control facilities, leading to increased job uncertainty and a manpower imbalance. As air traffic volumes begin to increase again, air traffic controllers and pilots responsible for passenger safety may experience extreme stress and anxiety in new situations. To address this problem, healthcare methods are needed to help aviation professionals to overcome stress and reduce anxiety. Meditation can stabilize the autonomic nervous system, promote relaxation and comfort in the mind and body, and could aid in smooth metabolism by suppressing the sympathetic nerves that cause our bodies to feel tension and activating the parasympathetic nerves. However, achieving the benefits of meditation can require time and effort, and general meditation can be challenging for individuals experiencing physical pain. Therefore, singing bowl meditation is recommended, as it can easily induce a meditative state. The sounds produced by Tibetan singing bowls can promote meditation by tuning the alpha waves, theta waves, and gamma waves of electoencephalography. Singing bowl meditation is a beneficial method for individuals with limited time or physical disabilities due to work schedules, such as air traffic controllers and pilots, to easily access meditation.