Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First

What it means?

   Well, when you go flying and they do the little safety check before take-off the steward or stewardess tells you that in the event of the oxygen masks dropping down from the ceiling you should put on your own mask first. And then help children and other people you are traveling with.

Why?

   Because if you try to help someone first and you lose consciousness because of your lack of oxygen then you'll be no help to anyone.

   I think this is a good reminder for life in general too. You have to take care of yourself and help yourself first to be able to fully share your own talents and the value you can give to your world.

   If you do it the other way around and always put yourself last then you may burn yourself out.

   Or you may become resentful because you feel you have no time or energy just for you. Or you find yourself in a position where your self-esteem slowly drops week after week and you feel less and less motivated to help yourself or others.

But how do you use this reminder practically in life?

   Here's a few of the ways that can be used to take care of yourself.

   Make sure to eat healthy, get enough sleep and work out 3-4 times a week.

   Say no quite often to not be swamped by different activities or by fulfilling requests.

   When you feel worried or negative then let it out and talk it over with your loved one instead of trying to keep it all on the inside. Just venting or talking it over with a level-headed person can make a big difference for one's well-being.

   I highly recommend keeping this reminder in mind as you go through your day, week and month. 

   Both for yourself and for the people in your life.

   Because it will make it easier to make decisions about how you want to spend your time, to take care of yourself but also to add value and help others in the best way you can in the longer time-perspective.