Staying grounded during challenging times: Put your air mask on first.

During challenging times, globally and here at home, it can feel selfish to focus on yourself when so much is going wrong. But the truth is, staying grounded is not a luxury; it’s a responsibility.

That’s why the airplane instruction matters so much: put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.

It’s not because you matter more than anyone else. It’s because you are no help to anyone if you can’t breathe.

When the world feels unstable, many of us go into overdrive, consuming nonstop news, carrying everyone else’s emotions, trying to fix what’s beyond our control. Without grounding, we become anxious, reactive, exhausted, or numb. And from that place, our compassion shrinks, our judgment clouds, and our ability to show up meaningfully disappears.

Grounding yourself through rest, boundaries, reflection, movement, prayer, time in nature, or simply stepping away from the noise is how you secure your oxygen. It steadies your nervous system so you can respond rather than react. It keeps you anchored in your values instead of swept away by fear or outrage.

Only when you’re breathing clearly can you:

• show up calmly for your family

• think critically instead of emotionally

• contribute thoughtfully rather than burn out

• care deeply without collapsing

  
  

Putting your air mask on first doesn’t mean disengaging from the world. It means choosing sustainability over self-sacrifice.

In times like these, the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and for others is stay grounded enough to breathe, think, and act with intention.