Hello and welcome back to Eight Years In. I like to talk a lot on here about things that we can do to make this world a better place. It’s all so external. And that’s great and important. But the fact is, everyone comes to a certain point in their life where they have nothing to give. And that’s okay. But it’s how we deal with it that makes all the difference. 

Your own oxygen mask

   I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “put on your own oxygen mask first”. It comes from planes. If the oxygen levels are going down in the cabin you’re supposed to put on your own oxygen mask before helping anyone with theirs. This is because you’ll pass out before you’re able to help somebody else if you’re not able to breathe.

   Life works very much in the same way. You need to make sure you’re pouring from a full cup. Because without emotional and physical reinforcement of your own well-being, it doesn’t matter how good of a person you are or how good your heart is, you’re going to break down in a messy way and not be able to sustain that giving role. 

Physical health

   Now I want to start with physical health because it’s probably the most straightforward. While everyone’s body is different and we all have different genetic predispositions and personal histories that change our circumstances, in general, the same things keep our bodies strong and healthy. 

   To keep your body in tip-top shape you want to get in good nutrition, adequate hydration, sleep and exercise. Those four things will work wonders for your physical well-being. 

   And the thing is, when you keep your body in good shape, you begin to start seeing that progress also in your mindset. It’s true! The mind body connection is strong, and so even if your form of being a positive influence on the world isn’t a very physical one, taking care of your body is still of utmost importance. When your body is chugging along nicely, you mind has the optimal conditions to be productive, wise and kind. All of which you’ll need of you want to make a difference. 

Mental health

   Mental health is a little bit more individual as people are coming from completely different places with our various traumas and foibles, but as a rule there are certain practices that stand the test of time. 

   Gratitude, forgiveness and mindfulness are good places to start when it comes to your mental well-being. Giving thanks for what you have helps rewire your brain to focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have, relieving the feeling that you’re not enough or you don’t have enough. Learning to forgive helps free you of resentment and an unhealthy attachment to the past. And mindfulness helps you connect to your body and the present moment, aiding with anxiety and stress. 

   Learning these practices and sticking with them helps give you a good mental foundation to stand upon. And the one other practice that I suggest for mental health is boundaries. Learn how to say no and stick with it. Learn how to acknowledge what is okay and not okay for yourself and your values. 

   If you’re looking for a place where mental and emotional health are prioritized, try out our sister site, The Thoughts that Bind. There, you’ll find all things mental mastery and wellness. (Check it out here.)

Feeding your soul

   And finally, when it comes to taking care of yourself you also want to feed your soul. Do things that make you happy to restore your emotional capacity to give. Enjoy your hobbies, your entertainment sources, work on your projects and do things that give your life meaning and joy. 

   This category is definitely the most individual and yet it is likely the most important. Keeping engaged in life has been shown to help with physical and cognitive function. So do things that make you laugh, make you feel curious, give you a sense of purpose, fulfillment and joy. Care about something and enjoy something today. 

Take care of yourself, before you do anything else

   I think it’s easy for people who have caring hearts to run themselves into the ground, always thinking and expecting themselves to ‘give’ more for the good of others and the world around them. It’s a nice instinct and desire, but if you burn out you will not be able to give at all. Not to mention, to keep existing, you’ll become very destructive and start compulsively ‘taking’ in inappropriate ways. This has been demonstrated over and over again. 

   No, I’ve now become convinced that your well-being is the first and foremost gift that you give the world. In a conceptual way, you add a whole different kind of beauty to the world when you’re healthy and thriving. You glow, you laugh, you joke around. This in and of itself is already a gift—don’t we all want to be around happy people? 

   But it also opens the floodgates for being able to give back in other ways. Your brain works better, you don’t have to hoard resources because you have enough. And you don’t have to dig through piles of resentment to squeak out your last bit of goodwill to help someone close to you. 

   Building up your reserves and keeping them high is instrumental to making a positive impact on the world. Love yourself enough to prioritize your own health and well-being. To minimize your own suffering. The world deserves a happy, healthy you. And so do you. 

   Thank you for reading my thoughts. I hope they were able to give you food for thought. If you’re interested in making a positive impact on this world, consider subscribing to the blog. And let us know in the comments of this post what you do to take care of yourself. Have an amazing day!