Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish

“Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.”  If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, you’ve heard this line as part of the safety spiel the flight attendants give just before takeoff.  While it seems obvious when you’re on a plane to do this, it somehow loses our attention in every other aspect of our lives.  When it comes to our overall health and wellbeing, we need to care for ourselves first before we are capable of really caring for (and helping) others.

Life can be hard, really hard, and it can take a toll if we aren’t taking care of ourselves.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Do something you enjoy every day
• Laugh!
• Get enough sleep
• Plan a fun activity with friends
• Curl up with a good book
• Go outside
• Listen to your favorite music
• Soak in the tub
• Eat well
• Take a break from technology
• Talk with a friend and/or counselor

When you practice self-care, you and everyone around you benefits.