If you have ever flown in an airplane, you may be familiar with this safety instruction.
“In the event of so and so, oxygen masks will drop in front of you. Please put on your masks first before attempting to help anyone else.”
Even if you’ve never been on an airplane, does this instruction seem familiar?
You might believe it’s simple enough to follow. Yet, it isn’t for everyone. For one, those who care about others are prone to disobey this instruction. Why? They might wish to put their loved ones’ safety first. Take parents, for example. In most cases, they may wish to put the mask on their children first before putting it on themselves.
While this is a beautiful expression of affection, consider the dangers.
A mother may pass out from a lack of oxygen before succeeding to secure her child’s mask. Both the mom and the child are at risk if this occurs. Do we see the benefit of following this instruction? We do, of course.
Beyond the confines of an airplane, would you believe me if I told you this: that you can still benefit in life by following that basic instruction. Yes, you can. In all areas, too!
Let’s zoom in on this for a moment and see how this information can help.
The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself
Remember the airplane safety instruction: “First help yourself, then help others.”? Yes, we can only be effective in helping others if we first help ourselves. An important—and often overlooked — thing people can do is to take care of themselves. Neglecting to do so will only hurt all in the long run.
Consider five things you can do to ensure you are taking care of yourself.
Practice self-compassion. The basis for self-care is being kind to oneself. Give yourself a pat on the back for handling things in life. Maybe you are very critical of your efforts but learn to move away from the critic in you. Instead, give yourself time, if it’s even a few minutes a day, to care for yourself. At the end of the day, no one else will of you don’t.
You might guilt-trip yourself as you practice self-care or be guilted by others. If that happens, remember you can focus and be more productive. This ends up benefiting others as well as yourself.
Give yourself needed space and time. No matter how much you love to be of service, know that everyone has a limit. Don’t succumb to burnout by forgetting about your personal needs.
When you need to unwind, take a break – So, look for ways to refill. For example, it’s said that taking deep breaths helps us relax. Why not incorporate this into your routine? When you take time for yourself, you become more attentive to your needs. Once you know these, you can fulfil them. In the end, you’ll end up happier and more confident, as will those around you.
Set goals to keep healthy. You must be in top physical condition to perform at your best. This is another key part of self-care. How can you look after yourself? Set goals for yourself to stay healthy.
Getting a good night’s sleep could be one of them. Also, stay active by exercising daily. You will reap rewards that will last a lifetime if you can do so for only ten minutes.
Finally, have regular check-ups. Professional advice may help point out areas of your health that need care. Our health is vital to our happiness. When we look after it, we can perform better.
Engage in enjoyable leisure activities. Reading a good book or taking a warm bath are examples of pleasant leisure activities. Find activities aside from work you’ll enjoy and take part in them.
Maintain social connections. Another way to practice self-care is to keep connected. If you don’t have the company of friends or family to enjoy, you could find a support group.
Keep open channels of communication with your family or friends. Share your feelings and the challenges you face. The support they give can aid you if you have any challenges. It can even prevent you from burning out.
Bottom Line: You need to look after yourself as well as others.
Doing so will keep you healthy and happy. It will ensure that your loved ones receive the attention they need. And it will give you the needed energy to create your own sense of confidence.
With Grace and Grit,
Whitney