Putting my oxygen mask on
We’re living in unprecedented times. The idea of “shelter in place” was fun for about four hours. I’m on day eleven and feeling like I’m in for a world of trouble. Ironically, I like is a very isolated area. When they implemented “social distancing” I scoffed at the idea. To me, social distancing is business-as-usual. The only time I leave my home is to recreate with my dog, and to go to the grocery store. In hindsight, I guess I was preparing myself to be comfortable during a pandemic. In truth, I’m the furthest from comfortable.
Balancing my work life and personal life has never been harder. Every business call, or personal call, has a charged energy of the uncertainty for our future. When you work in the mental health, behavioral health, and addiction spaces having that extra charge can be absolutely draining. Every family is rightly concerned, and every treatment program is trying to navigate newly implemented protocols. It’s hard to not lose sleep at night during this time. I’ve been so focused on helping the families I am currently working with, that I forgot about myself. I’m eleven days in and realizing I forgot to put my own oxygen mask on first.
I wouldn’t be able to count the number of airplane flights I’ve been on over the last year alone. On each flight, I do pay attention to the flight attendants giving the safety instructions prior to each flight. Luckily, I’ve never experienced a loss in cabin pressure that would result in the need to put on my oxygen mask. In knowing that importance of putting on your own mask first prior to helping others has become nearly second nature. So much so, that when in real I needed to put on my oxygen mask I failed that step.
When it comes to helping others, it’s imperative we always put on our oxygen mask first. That looks differently for every person. For me, it looks like going for a run in the morning with my dog. It also looks like be sitting outside to read a book, weather permitting. Right now, it needs to look like my turning off my computer and phone at a reasonable hour to “shut down” from work. It’s so much easier said than done. When it comes to helping others during a public health epidemic, it’s easy to forget to put your oxygen mask on first. If I continue to do that though, I will run out of air.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
