Compassion fatigue: What is it?

Are you the primary caregiver for someone and feeling burnt out with nothing left to give.  Perhaps you also find yourself short tempered and feeling trapped, or overwhelmed. If so, you may be experiencing compassion fatigue.

This happens to people in many helping professions, such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and emergency responders. Perhaps you have an elderly parent, or disabled relative living with you. You might even take on their stress as your own. This can be exhausting for anyone and can take its toll on you.

Below are some ideas from a newsletter put out by New Dimensions Treatment Center.

Ways to prevent/help reduce compassion fatigue

Practice self care

What is it that you need to take care of your own mental health? Perhaps you need alone time, or time with family and friends. Do you exercise, do yoga or meditate? Perhaps sitting outside with your morning cup of coffee, or being out in the garden energizes you. Whatever it is that nourishes your soul can help you take care of yourself.

Spend time with people who aren’t caretakers

This way you can leave work at the office, and have a fresh perspective. Spend time with people who lift you up and make you happy. You don’t want your whole life to be about work or school. You need time outside of that.

Don’t spend time with toxic people

Do you have someone in your life that brings you down, or makes you feel bad about yourself? Perhaps they bully you into doing things you don’t want to do, or talk poorly about people you love. Life is too short; only let the healthy people in. It takes time to have a friendship, so if you have just a few close healthy friends that is great.

Allow others to help

Some people in helping professions are more than happy to help others, but are reluctant to have others help them. Perhaps you think you can do it all on your own, or you don’t want to burden others. Realistically, we all need help from time to time.

I always ask this question, “How do you feel when you are able to help someone else?” Most people will say it makes them feel good. Then I ask, “Well how about letting one of your friends or family members feel good by helping you out?” Perhaps you never realized that by accepting help you are making someone else happy.

Have fun

Do you have someone who brings out the goofy or silly side of you? Perhaps it is a friend, family member, child, or pet. Have fun. Laughter is the best medicine. Watching funny movies or stand up comedy is also a great stress reliever.

Try new hobbies

When is the last time you tried something new? Perhaps you will discover a new passion. If not, spend time engaging in the hobbies you love. When we are in the zone, time flies by.

Take time off

When is the last time you went on a vacation, or spent a day on you? It is so much easier to unwind and relax when you are not at home. It is critical to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Even the energizer bunny will eventually run out of batteries.

Say no

Is there someone in your life who asks you to do a lot for him or her, or pressures you to do something you don’t want to do? Maybe you say yes, and then feel resentful that you did. This is a sign that you should have said no. Guess what, you may lose a friend or 2 if you do so. Some people don’t like it when you set boundaries. But remember, boundaries are to protect you, not make others happy. Anyone that is worth having in your life will respect your wishes, and accept that they can’t always get what they want.

Use positive coping methods

Don’t engage in unhealthy methods of coping such as drinking or drugging. Yes, these activities may make you feel better in the short term, but not the long term. You will eventually be sober and your problems will not have magically disappeared.

It is important to find healthy ways of coping such as journaling, being with those who love you, meditating, yoga, relaxation techniques, and exercise. These are things that need to be done on a regular basis.

Get therapy for compassion fatigue

This is another great tool. It helps to have someone to talk to who is not emotionally involved in the situation. Just having someone to talk to and process your struggles can make a big difference.

Remember we need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others.

Please give me a call at 713-304-6554 if I can help.

Take care,

Debbie