Recently I travelled to Ireland, and on the plane again noticed the sign 'In the event of an emergency people travelling with children or other vulnerable individuals should put on their on mask first.'  The steward repeated the words before take-off... If we don't look after our own welfare first, if we collapse and are unable to cope, who will look after those children or other vulnerable people?  How then can we care for others?  

All too often we forget this message in the hurly burly in today's fast-moving world - yet without adequate rest to recharge our batteries, our bodies don't function as well as they might and our thinking may become distorted, practical decisions much more difficult. 

I came home feeling my energy revived ...plus renewed optimism about current and future projects...plus new ideas for articles and stories.  What a difference a space of time away from everyday life and expectations can make!  I was reminded that even in the very best of times when everything is going well, our energy can be stretched to the limit.  

'Carer Survival' is a main theme of this website - without family carers, what would happen to those at the heart of all our efforts?  More on 'Putting on your own mask first' on our Members Area.