WENDRA'S WELLNESS

I’m Wendra and I’m a holistic health coach. Together we’ll take small manageable steps to accomplish a lifestyle (not a diet) that works for you.

Put Your Oxygen Mask on First—The Importance of Self Care

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There’s a reason we always tell you to put your oxygen mask on first. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of the other important people in your life? What do you do for self care? Share your ideas in the comments below!

Taking time for self care can be a big challenge, especially if you travel for work. As a flight attendant, I fly a schedule and a half, which means I spent 120 hours in the air each month. My workday begins when the aircraft door is closed. Some crew members even commute to get to their base airports, requiring them to fly just to get to work.

Even if you’re not traveling for work, most of us are juggling a lot: Kids, elderly parents, a second job and/or commuting in any form all cause added stress to our lives. Self care can be a challenge. Here are a few tips from me, my fellow crew members, and even my mom(!) about ways to put you first.

My Top 3 Tips for Self Care

1.  Prioritizing my workouts. I can’t always squeeze one in when I’m flying, but if I can, it makes everything so much better and easier. A 5 minute hotel room workout is my go-to for self face. I even try to actually workout in the middle of my day when I’m actually flying. When I am home, a yoga class or a hike/bike ride outside are my favorite ways to start the day. I’m forced to be in the moment, and there aren’t any distractions or interruptions when I’m outside.
2. Packing my own food on a trip. This way I already know I’ve got healthy options, so not only am I not tempted by the bad stuff, I’m also saving money instead of pricey (usually unhealthy) airport food. I even have special foods I like to pack to bring on a trip. My friend Jill Anenberg Lawrence also interviewed me for advice on how to eat healthy when flying.
3. Saying no. I’m still working on this while at home because I miss out on so much when I’m flying. However, when I’m working sometimes I’ll “slam click” which, in the airline world, means slam the hotel door shut, click the lock, and see you at pick up. This way I get to do whatever I want on my time frame. Such a nice change to not have any set schedule.

Self Care Tips from My Mom

My 76-year-old mom is a huge advocate of self care. She’s the only one taking care of my 81-year-old dad who has heart disease. (His heart is currently at 30%, he has a pacemaker, and he is scheduled for a heart valve replacement soon.) Every morning my mom gets in some kind of workout and often two of the following: Tai chi, a walk, bike ride, tennis, golf, or yoga. Living in Cleveland, OH, she’s outside everyday–even when it drops down to the 40s! She knows if she takes care of herself first, she’ll take better care of my dad. What a great role model!

Advice on Self Care from Fellow Flight Attendants

One of my friends, Monique Hawkins, is a busy single mom. She flies mostly turns (one-day trips) during the week so she can be home with her teenage son at night, but sometimes she’ll pick up a Hawaii trip on a weekend she doesn’t have her son to get a little R & R.
She’s not alone. Many of my flight attendant friends who are moms purposely bid long layovers just to have a little time to themselves to sleep in or just do nothing.
My friend, Julie Martine has several great tips on how she stays healthy and what she does for self-care while she’s on a trip.
Many of us get weekly or monthly massages. Every time I’m at my chiropractor, I run into someone I know from work. That said, I also know flight attendants who “distance” themselves from people for a day or more after a trip. Nothing like a little down time to regroup before facing the world!

A More Spiritual Perspective

Another friend of mine had this to say about her self care:
My self care may not be outside but more inward focused. Anyone can do the outside rituals. I am grateful for experiences and growth. However, I do feel setbacks when I am in proximity to negative people and work. With that being said, it has caused me to search to improve myself. Here are some of my ideas:
  • Your time is the most precious of anything on this earth. Do not spend it with people who do not bring value or support your value or in whom you do not want to invest.
  • Go outside of your comfort zone… Really separating and enjoying new people and experiences. Reading, podcasts, and classes.
  • Do what makes you happy. What makes you feel good and smile. As with anything, compromise–but not compromise when you do not have a backbone or are a doormat.
  • Know life is not perfect. No journey is a straight shot. Do not compare your life to others. BIG LESSON for me.
  • Meditate and pray. Breathe. Anytime anywhere.
  • Be cool. Being cool when you want to react negatively for me is self care. It shows compassion and the need to not always be right.
  • Be now. The present is where it is at.
  • Eat well. Fuel well. Most of the time.
  • Keep in check. Look around and look at yourself. See the blessings in life. Keep yourself in check by looking yourself in the mirror. If you see you are off the path get back on, but be easy with yourself.
  • The most important time you spend is with yourself. Get that shit right. Not perfection ever… Keep working on yourself everyday, big and small things. Perfection is not the answer
  • Love the people in your life — it comes back. That is self care. Love is it!!!

In Summary

You know what you need for self-care.  Finding the balance is the hard part, but you have the skills and support to figure it out. Turn off your phone for an hour, if you have to.  And be sure to schedule some downtime.

In Health,

For some of the best, cleanest self-care products including face masks, bath salts, and toothpaste check out Redmond Life.

Redmond Natural Foods

Comments

  1. Jill Lawrence says

    I absolutely loved this blog! So many helpful tips. And lots of good reminders we always need to hear. ps- Your Mom gave great advice.

    Reply

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