Compassion Fatigue Is Real
Six months into the COVID-19 Era, it's quite possible you're suffering from compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is defined in Psychology Today as: “the experience of any empathetic individual who is acutely conscious of societal needs but feels helpless to solve them.” The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project adds it can encompass “emotional, physical, and spiritual distress in those providing care to another” and that it's associated with caregiving where people or animals experience significant emotional or physical pain and suffering.
It used to be that individuals in the healthcare industry (and others who by nature of their profession work on the front lines of unfathomable distress) were most susceptible to developing compassion fatigue. However, we now live in a world where catastrophes are broadcast incessantly, and consuming the latest breaking news is as easy as reaching for your smartphone.
At times, the looming presence of tragedy feels inescapable. Exacerbating the matter: this worldwide Coronavirus pandemic and global quarantine, which has produced, at minimum, a basic awareness and degree of suffering in nearly everyone.
Think you may be experiencing compassion fatigue? Some red flags:
sleep disturbance
frequent headaches
gastrointestinal issues
increased irritability
high self-expectations
For those employed in the nonprofit sector, the issue is further compounded since in addition to personally dealing with compassion fatigue, staff and donors —a nonprofit organization's lifeblood— are likely experiencing it, too. Psychology Today reports: “People who actively engage in charity, or volunteering, may come to feel that they cannot commit any more energy, time, or money to the plight of others because they feel overwhelmed or paralyzed by pleas for support and that the world’s challenges are never-ending.”
So how do you combat compassion fatigue? Fortunately, there are plenty of resources out there, readily accessible with a few clicks of your mouse (links to several included at the end of this post). Listed below is a simple self-care plan, straight from the trenches, as shared by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP):
Self-Care in 3 Steps, as recommended by the AAFP:
Invest in Quality Time Alone —the objective is to ground yourself in the moment and keep your thoughts from wandering
Recharge Daily —exercising and eating better pay dividends on your mental and physical well being
Hold One Meaningful Conversation Every Day —spending time with those closest to you nourishes your soul
In closing, please be kind to yourself. To be most effective in caring for others, you've got to prioritize care of your own wellbeing. I'm reminded of the rule of thumb that if you're thirsty, you could already be dehydrated. Don't let your tank run dry.
Additional Resources to Combat Compassion Fatigue:
AAFP: Overcoming Compassion Fatigue
Good Therapy: The Cost of Caring: 10 Ways to Prevent Compassion Fatigue
Psychology Today: Are You Suffering from Compassion Fatigue?