The Parable of the Oxygen Mask

This is taken from a friend who started a blog called Drop Your Burden. She cares for her husband who suffers from mental illness and she knew I'd appreciate what she's learned after what I went through with my brother. I LOVED this post and find these ideas so helpful...

The so-called "parable of the oxygen mask" is probably something you've all heard, but I think it bears repeating:

"As I’ve flown, I’ve noted as we commence to take off from the airport, a flight attendant will arise and among other things will say, 'Now, if we lose air pressure in the cabin, an oxygen mask will descend from overhead. If you’re caring for young children or someone with a disability, make sure you put on your own oxygen mask before you try to help others.' Why would the flight attendant say that? Obviously, if you’re unconscious, you can’t help anyone else. So it is with our service to humankind and our service in the Church and in our professions. If we don’t strengthen ourselves, we will never be in a position to strengthen others." ---Robert F. Orton, “Living a Balanced Life,” Ensign, Feb 2008, 64–68

Take time for you. Fill your own bucket, because you can't help someone else if you have nothing to give. If you are in a situation similar to mine, perhaps feeling frozen and unable to move forward, here's my list. Most of them are really simple and inexpensive (or free). This list was compiled by the input of many friends, and I am including all the ideas, simple as they may be.


•Exercise - run, yoga, pilates, cycling, walking, take a class, swim, etc.
•Run/train for a race.
•Take time to shave your legs & underarms (or face if you're a man)
•Organize a group of friends for a game of basketball, softball, soccer, football, racquetball, etc.
•Spend time in the sauna, steam room, or hot tub at the gym or pool
•Go on a walk with a good friend and talk about anything and everything. The walking will be beneficial to your mood and health as well as the chatter and friendship.
•Get a pedicure or manicure. Do it yourself or trade with a friend if you can't afford a professional service. Simply paint your toenails a fun color if that's all you can do.
•Get a great haircut and/or color. It doesn't have to break the bank.
•Keep a gratitude journal
•Work in your yard or garden or cultivate house plants or herbs.
•Read. Join a Book Club if that inspires you and you enjoy the discussion
•Do something creative that fills your spirit, such as sewing, crochet, pottery, wood working, scuplting, drawing, composing music or poetry, creative writing, blogging, soap making, jewelry making, photography, photo editing, floral design, quilting, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, and many more
•Cut some flowers from your yard or purchase an inexpensive bunch at the grocery store or local market and put them in a pretty vase on the table
•Take a bath instead of a shower
•Take up a new hobby
•Play a musical instrument or sing
•Write in a journal
•Keep a notebook filled with inspiring quotes
•Color in a coloring book
•Draw
•Get a massage or facial. You can check the local beauty school for discounted offers
•Spend time sitting in the park or on a nature walk
•Sit in a hammock or lie on a towel in your backyard or deck
•Read scriptural text, whatever that is for you
•Sing in a choir at your church or community
•Spend time researching your family history and doing genealogy
•Do a puzzle, play a game, play solitaire on the computer, etc.
•Go to the movies or rent a movie, even if it's all by yourself. (Perhaps especially so)
•Listen to some really great music that inspires and uplifts you
•Remove your eye makeup and take time to cleanse your face.
•Splurge on a good moisturizer.
•Splurge on a really great eye cream moisturizer. (This is one that I did.)
•Put lotion on your legs, hands and feet each night before you go to bed
•Sing in the shower, your car, or at home.
•Go fishing
•Spend time in nature
•Take a hike or walk along a nature trail
•Visit a sanctuary, church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or other house of worship
•Place a beautiful, inspiring photograph, quotation, painting or other artwork somewhere you will see it daily.
•Meditate
•Take a different route to or from work or school. Just for you.
•Watch a sunset or sunrise
•Get up in the night and gaze at the moon (works well if you're already up with insomnia)
•Take any medications that have been prescribed for you.
•Take a daily vitamin and calcium supplement (if approved by your doctor)
•Wear sunscreen daily
•Buy a really cute/cool-looking pair of sunglasses
•Buy yourself a fun lip gloss. Just Because.
•Wear lip balm with sunscreen in it.
•Splurge on a fun fragrance for your home
•Wear perfume, cologne, body spray or scented deodorant that you like
•Wear a pretty piece of jewelry
•Drink water. Ideally, try for at least half of your body weight in ounces of water. (For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, you'd drink 75 oz of water per day). Helps with weight loss and appetite control, too.
•Read a magazine
•Sleep in (even if only occasionally)
•Go to bed early. Try hard to get enough sleep.
•Visit the grave of a loved one, all by yourself. Talk to them.
•Pray
•Light some candles and enjoy the light in the evening. (Be careful and use fire safety!)
•Eat well. Don't skip breakfast or other meals. Feed your body nutritious foods and pass on the junk. (Definitely easier said than done!)
•Wash your car
•Keep your desk, dresser, office, home (etc) neat and orderly.