In Case of Emergency, Put Your Mask On First…

For anyone who has ever flown, these words will sound familiar. The Flight attendant will give a safety brief before take off. As they explain various safety topics about the aircraft , number and locations of exits, water landings and, of course, “In case of cabin pressure loss, oxygen masks will drop down in front of you. Put your mask on first before assisting anyone else…”

The problem is by this point in the talk most people have tuned them out. They tune out either out of boredom or the thought “this will never happen to me” or even worse “if it happens then we are all done for anyway”.

So the bottom line is that in the even of a sudden emergency, in the middle of all the chaos and fear that will accompany any sudden emergency, put your mask on first, even before you help your loved one(s) sitting next to you… Sure, no problem.

As the holidays approach, I feel we hear about two main things: 1) people traveling and 2) Holiday stress. The first point- people traveling got me thinking about the second – Holiday stress.

I will not go into Holiday stress too much. Current studies show that over 70% of people suffer extra stress during the holiday time. Combine this with the normal stress of everyday life and I am sure this is a very high percentage. I haven’t looked up this number because I am sure how large it is will scare me and depress me at the same time.

Now you may think I am rambling, but here is my point. In a sudden emergency on a plane, they tell us to put our mask on first before we can help others. Kinda makes sense, you can’t help anyone else if you pass out due to lack of oxygen. We have all heard the stats on holiday stress along with its many causes and forms. While this occurs every year and hence is not a sudden unexpected event, I feel the numbers make it an emergency. If 70% or more are suffering, I would call that an emergency.

I would encourage those 70%, heck, everyone, to put your mask on first. You need to put your mask on first so you can breathe. You need to breathe so you can think, focus, and move forward.

While the mask is just a metaphor for self care, it fits very well for the topic. I will not go into the specifics of self care here. Any simple search on your phone’s internet, you tube, etc will give you in-depth explanations and ideas for self care.

What I am going to say is that You are worth caring for first. I know many have the tendency to want to care for everyone else first, especially during the holidays. THAT is the emergency. During this time of year where 70% or more of people are suffering emotionally, you need to put your mask on first. The best thing you can do for your loved ones is to take time, deliberate, intentional time, and effort to care for yourself.

If you love your loved one’s like you say, like your mind is telling you to do this and that for them, then you need to care for yourself first. You deserve it and your loved one’s want the best for you as you want the best for them.Take some time, look up self care and then take the time you deserve to care for yourself first so you can care for them.

“In case of emergency, put your mask on first…” 70% of people suffer extra stress during this time of year. That is the emergency.