Attach Your Mask First:

I believe we can all apply deeper meaning to our everyday experiences. Often times, though, we are in such a hurry, or distracted, and we forget to listen. We miss cues throughout our daily lives that try to remind us of important lessons. One such lesson is the importance of self-care in our day to day lives.

Life can distract us

My latest epiphany came on my last flight. It had been a long day of travel and I was on my way home. I had barely made my connecting flight, and my carry-on bag had to be stowed because of lack of overhead space. So here I was, sitting in my chair, waiting for takeoff. I was more concerned with reliving all of the issues of the day than I was with the safety directions the crew was giving.

I replayed the presentation I had just given and wondered if it had been perfect, knowing it was not. I could still feel my anxiety rising as I remembered the cab driver’s shortcut that made me 30 minutes late to my first flight. I could still feel my anger when I learned the gate had moved for my connecting flight and I had to sprint through the airport to make it on time. I was not in the mood for a life lesson, but those moments are usually when you need one the most.

An unintended lesson

Checking back into reality, I happened to look up just as the flight attendant was showing how the oxygen mask would fall from the overhead compartment. Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, “if the cabin becomes depressurized, the oxygen masks will fall from above. Be sure to secure your mask, before helping others.”

I said it again to myself “be sure to secure your mask before helping others.” This has an obvious reason on a plane in peril. If you are not getting your own oxygen, you will pass out and be of no help to anyone including yourself. In that moment, I also realized it has a direct impact on my profession as a counselor as well. I have to make sure my mask is secure before I meet with a client so I can guarantee that he or she has my fully, undivided attention.

Taking care of ourselves first

This analogy also translates into everyone’s daily life. Are you stressed from work, anxious about finances, tired from a busy week, in an argument with a loved one? We come home and try to be the best spouse, best parent, best friend to others, yet we have not taken time to stabilize ourselves. Often times we only need 5-10 minutes to properly acknowledge how we are feeling. Then, we need to allow ourselves to let go of that stress by taking purposeful action. All it takes is a simple reminder when your life is depressurizing to, “attach your own mask.”

Breathe.

Maybe this self-care means you take the long way home from work so you get more reflection time. Maybe you go the gym before returning home so you release some built up stress. Maybe, you sit in your car for five minutes and listen to your favorite song, focusing your mind so you can hear every component of the melody. Now, you are ready to help someone else. You are ready to take on the big task at work. You are ready to be someone else’s guide.

Help others attach their mask too

By remembering to attach your own mask first, you acknowledge the need for personal stability and self-care before you can be a champion for others. The first step is to recognize the situations that make you depressurize. What takes the air of your sails? Once you know these situational triggers you will also know when to acknowledge and identify your thoughts and emotions associated with them. Slow down and give yourself time to process your situation. Only after this reflection and gaining a sense of clarity are you ready to move forward. Do not rush into someone else’s fire before you have a calm head on your shoulders.

Trust me, taking the time for self-care will make you a stronger support for those you love. You will feel like you are able to give them 100 percent of your attention in the moment. You will feel more involved and this will lead to deeper connections with others . Attach your mask at the end of each day, find your strength, and then secure the mask of someone beside you, allowing them to help the next person as well.

Do you have everyday moments that inspired you? Please share your moments with us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MBScounselingLLC/