What is Compassion Fatigue and 11 Ways to Battle it

~~What is Compassion Fatigue?

Did you know that caring too much can hurt? According to the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project, ?When caregivers focus on others without practicing self-care, destructive behaviors can surface, Apathy, isolation, bottled up emotions, and substance abuse head a long list of symptoms associated with the secondary traumatic stress disorder now labeled compassion fatigue?.
Listeners, nurses, counselors, teachers and anyone that helps other may also experience compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue can also reach mass levels in the workplace if you are a caregiver or a helper. Listeners may have symptoms after several difficult chats or when they need to take a break. This is something important to be aware of in our roles here at 7 Cups of Tea, or if you are a caregiver or helper in some way. Many people enter as caregivers or helpers already having compassion fatigue. Maybe as a child, you have always been a caretaker, always a helper, or you have been traumatized at one time. You may feel that you must help others, not only that you want to.

11 Ways to Battle Compassion Fatigue:

1.Learn to recognize the symptoms. The symptoms are displays of chronic stress resulting from the work you do. They can be mild to severe. Symptoms are excessive blaming, bottled up emotions, isolation from others, use to receive an unusual amount of complaints, voices excessive complaints, substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, poor self-care, legal problems, nightmares, physical ailments, apathy or sadness in previously enjoyable activities, difficulty concentrating, mentally and physically tired, preoccupied, in denial about problems.
2.Learn to manage the symptoms. Some ways you can manage the symptoms are by exercising regularly, eating healthy, enjoying healthy social activities, journaling, and getting restful sleep.
3.Accept the fact that you have compassion fatigue. This serves to let you know you are a truly caring individual that needs to practice ongoing self-care.
4.Be kind to yourself and understand those close to you may not be there when you need them.
5.Become aware with education and research.
6.Find someone who validates your feelings and exchange information with them. Find someone whose experiences are similar.
7.Express your needs to others verbally.
8.Set up personal boundaries. Practice saying no and do it when necessary.
9.Organize your life to be more proactive than reactive.
10.Choose your battles and reserve mental and physically energy for worthy causes.
11. Live a balanced life: Sing, dance, sit with silence. Take a break when needed. You will be glad you did.

Getting well takes patience, time, and most important, commitment, but there is always hope. We cannot serve others and help them if we do not help ourselves. Take stress and emotional wellness tests. Research books and articles on this topic and practice the skills mentioned. You will soon be on your way to better physical and mental health and you will be back to help when you are ready.

Reference: Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project. [Website]. Retrieved from www.compassionfatigue.org