Remember to Put the Oxygen Mask on YourSelf First
I have to admit…this time of the year gets me in a bit of a frenzy, just like everyone else. I have actively worked on simplifying things for myself, but we all get caught up in it, don’t we?! So as a way to regroup, I stumbled upon this blog I wrote in early 2021 and it still feels relevant, so let’s go over the material one more time. ;)
Stop 🛑 and think for a minute! Do you keep your promise to YOURself? Now you’re really thinking about it, aren’t you?
Wondering why I’m asking you? Well….I continue to have this conversation with my patients, especially women, mothers, about how often their needs get bummed off the “important” list. And yes, I know it happens with all of us, especially during this hectic time of the year. And it also doesn’t mean that our needs aren’t actually important. The thing is, we do that to ourselves. When things get hectic and when we’re pulling into all the directions, it is “easier” to bump an appointment, cancel our selfcare, reschedule with our friends, because everyone gets it, ‘tis the season. However, should that be as easily acceptable as it is?! Maybe I’m just playing a little devil’s advocate now.
And listen, I do it myself time and time again. I break promises to myself. Right now, we’re in our impossible season in our household with my husband’s work hours being unforgiving as he doubles as Santa’s elf. ;) So we are currently ships passing in the night when he wakes up around 11 PM to get ready to leave for work and we have just enough time to update each other on what’s going on with our schedules and our little one. And trust me, my selfcare is struggling right now. And I took a long look in the mirror this evening and decided that I’m done with that. Because the burnout is creeping in and I am not a fan.
So I am not going to break a promise to my-damn-self. And here’s a short list of the things I’m recommitting to, even when things are hectic:
Moving my body. Does that mean that I’m taking a chilly walk in the neighborhood after I put little dude to bed? Yup. Do I feel so much better afterwards? Also, yup.
Soaking in a hot bath. A bath with Epsom Salts, body scrub by Beautycounter, and essential oils is one of my favorite ways to rejuvenate my sore muscles after long days at the office. Do I sometimes do it late at night? Yup and it makes me feel better in every way.
Drinking all the water. Keeping up with hydration is something I’m continually working on. But my ridiculously oversized glass bottle helps. And yes, I also get some extra with tea
Taking my supplements. Sure, this is an obvious one. Yet it often gets forgotten. I am being really diligent about my (and my family’s) supplementation right now because I want to stay healthy since so many people have been sick all of fall, especially with little kids. Plus, I’m doing a gut healing protocol that’s a bit of a roller coaster ride, which I’ll share more with you about it later.
Getting out of my head. You know, decompressing from all the craziness and pressure from the outside. For me, sometimes that’s watching cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, a murder mystery show, or reading one of the books from my pile of unread books. Sometimes that may even just be sitting in front of my lit-up Christmas tree and enjoying the silence.
“I’ve made a promise to myself to be a 100% healthy person if nothing else.”
Thank you for hanging in there while I rant on, but sometimes we just need to hear these sorts of things from more than one angle because it’s a little too relatable for most of us. As mothers, as parents, as caretakers, we often choose doing something for someone else over doing something for ourselves, even when we really need it. The thing we forget is that everyone will be ok, even when we put ourselves first, when we put that oxygen mask (remember airplane safety 😃). Not only are we doing something that will benefit our well-being, but we are also setting an example for our family on how they should put themselves as a priority without an adverse cost to themselves.
Now tell me what are some ways that you have or will put yourself as a priority in the near future.
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