Many people are reporting symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue, secondary trauma and vicarious trauma are words used to describe the reaction helping professionals may experience. Compassion fatigue is often defined as the cost of caring for others. Warning Signs Include:
- Reduced feeling of empathy
- Decrease engagement in work and life
- Poor work-life balance
- Reduced sense of career fulfillment
- Feelings of irritability and anger
- Problems in personal relationships
- Physical ailments
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight loss or gain
- Impaired decision-making
- Increase substance use
- Increase in depression and anxiety
- More sensitivity (or lack of) to emotional material
Taking care of our physical and mental health does not mean not feeling emotional discomfort. Rather, it is the ability to cope with those feelings.3 the ability to maintain our physical, emotional and mental well-being (using energy productively) while compassionately identifying and addressing stressors and barriers for clients has been defined as compassionate resilience. 4 Here are some tips to help you stay physically, emotionally and mentally healthy every day.
- Take a deep breath
- Eat healthy, balanced meals. The food we eat can impact our mood. Limit caffeine and alcohol
- “Motion is lotion.” Move your body in whatever way you are able.
- Talk to a mental health professional.
- Take time to nurture your spirituality
- Practice self-compassion. Talk about yourself the same way you talk about someone you admire.
- Think of a person, place or thing that makes you feel good.
- Try to go to bed same time every day.
- Try to cultivate a feeling of gratefulness.
- Find people or things that make you laugh.
- Create safe spaces for you and your peers to share concerns and joys.
- Journal your thoughts, emotions, hopes and concerns.
- Spend some time in nature.
- Create a dream list. What is one small step you can take tomorrow?
- Sing or listen to music that is uplifting.
- Try a holistic practice such as meditation, yoga, reiki, massage or aromatherapy or acupuncture
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