Put Your Self-Care First
Putting yourself first means it may be necessary to say no to someone else to say yes to yourself.
The familiar advice of airline attendants to prioritize wearing their oxygen masks before assisting others has become a widely cited metaphor for self-care. The reasoning behind this instruction extends beyond safety procedures. It emphasizes the crucial importance of self-care for our well-being and ability to support others effectively. This seemingly paradoxical advice suggests that caring for ourselves is not only a personal necessity but also a means of enhancing our capacity to care for others.
In the myriad of daily obligations, taking care of ourselves seems to often fall by the wayside. We prioritize everything else until we succumb to illness, exhaustion, or overwhelming stress, realizing that we have neglected our own needs. It is at this point that we comprehend the imperative of self-care, not as a form of selfishness or indulgence, but as a fundamental necessity for our well-being and the ability to care for others who depend on us.
Prioritizing self-care may involve declining certain requests to focus on your well-being. It’s common to feel obligated to assist others, but remember the “oxygen metaphor”: just as you need oxygen before assisting others on a flight, you need to care for yourself to be an effective caregiver to others. Remind yourself that self-care enhances your ability to support others and develop a mantra that resonates with you, such as “By caring for myself, I become more capable of caring for others.”
Remember that self-care doesn’t need to be extremely time-consuming. The most effective prescription for self-care is perhaps small, daily rituals. This could include taking 30 minutes for yourself at the beginning and end of the day to meditate, write in a journal, or simply relax. You could also occasionally indulge in a half-hour self-pampering session by transforming your daily shower or bath into a luxurious experience.
Prioritizing self-care, even in small ways, can significantly benefit you and those you care about. Just as we all need oxygen to survive, we also require moments of self-nurturing to thrive. It’s crucial to remember to take these breaths of self-care regularly, just as we naturally breathe air to stay alive.
Peace & Harmony, Cheryl
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