Given our work setting and the population we work with, many of us are accustomed to putting others’ needs before our own. This can be great in many ways – it makes us empathetic and selfless people – which can be so helpful to children and families that we support! However, there is also a downside in that we might not take the best care of ourselves if we’re always prioritizing other people first.
From time to time, I try to remind myself of the airplane oxygen mask analogy. When flight attendants educate airplane passengers on what to do in case of an emergency, they instruct each person to don their own oxygen mask first before helping anyone else, even children, with their oxygen mask. The message is pretty simple–even with the best intentions, you can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself!
In light of this, I encourage all of you to practice putting on your own oxygen mask first, so to speak. Whether this is through a big practice like leaving work on time instead of staying late or a small practice such as taking a few deep, intentional breaths before jumping into a difficult task, self-care comes in many forms.
- Haley Cummings