Do You Have Compassion Fatigue?

“Listen to your body and emotions when they tell you
something no longer works for you. Let the old fall away. Listen to
your inner guidance as your heart leads you to someplace new.”

style="text-align: right;">Melodie Beatty

Unlike
burnout (see href="http://www.livingmindfullytoday.com/2009/02/10/stress-reduction/physician-burnout-a-preventive-solution/"
target="_blank">Professional Burnout: a Preventive Solution©), which
is caused by everyday work stresses, Compassion Fatigue is a result of
taking on the emotional burdens of a patient or loved one. Symptoms
include thoughts that won’t stop, sleep problems, irritability,
emotional outbursts and a wish to be somewhere else other than caring
for another individual.

There is similarity between PTSD (Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Compassion Fatigue in that there is high
stress in each situation ~ however, with Compassion Fatigue, the stress
is in response to the trauma or illness of another person.

Many
of us become caregivers at some point in our lives. It is important to
recognize Compassion Fatigue is likely to occur and be ready for it.
Also, it is important to say out loud: “This is getting the best of me”.
The situation, the truth, has been “spoken to”. It is also important to
realize Compassion Fatigue is not a weakness ~ it is a part of being
human and being in a difficult situation. It is also important to the
patient that we nourish ourselves during a time of care giving.

5
Tips for Self Care

Being an educator of mindfulness, a nurse and
a caregiver myself, I have created 5 basic ways to care for ourselves
first and in doing this, having strength and energy for others.
Practicing awareness, the heart of mindfulness, is more than important ~
it is essential to caring for ourselves and then for another.

1.
Mindfulness meditation: Research has shown that meditating soothes the
system, decreasing depression and anxiety. Recent studies have shown
that opening one’s heart to empathy during meditation actually makes
empathetic behavior become a personal trait

2. Create daily self
care and commit to doing it. For example, start and end the day with
quiet and stillness. And use breathing as a refuge: stop and take deep,
centering breaths on a regular basis

3. Write it down: whether it
is “morning pages” as Julia Cameron suggests or a simple personal
journal (treat yourself to a lovely pattern or nice leather),
reflective writing is good for the soul and prevents Compassion
Fatigue

4. Be in nature and move your body: take time each day
for some sort of exercise ~ a brisk walk, a workout (if possible) or
simply sitting outside will help greatly. The healthier the physical
body, the less likely to become a victim of compassion fatigue

5.
Ask for help: stay connected to friends and family and allow for help
and support. As best, continue life outside of the situation ~ though it
may be compromised for awhile.

• The Bright Side of Binge Eating More than 7 million Americans struggle with Binge Eating Disorder,...
• Mastery: A Manual for Recovery "…be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer...
• How to Make a Successful Change "Every fresh experience has this dizziness of freedom that we...