Navigating Compassion Fatigue: A Caregiver's Guide to Self-Care
Navigating Compassion Fatigue: A Caregiver's Guide to Self-Care
Written by Lily Thrope
Being a caregiver often feels like a full-time job. Whether you are a parent caring for your children, a child caregiving for a family member or an older parent, a teacher, a nurse or a nanny, caregivers are important players who are especially susceptible to burnout. After a while, there might come a point where you hit the wall and the energy, compassion and wherewithal it takes can be seriously depleted. This is where compassion fatigue comes in, and it’s more common than you think.
So what is compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is emotional and physical exhaustion that happens from giving too much of yourself for too long (without sufficient breaks and rest). Compassion fatigue is a completely normal and human phenomenon. Without adequate self-care and support, demands of caregiving can become overwhelming, resulting in exhaustion and a seriously compromised ability to care for anyone. As human beings, we only have so much that we can give. As accurately summed up by the old adage, ‘you can’t give from an empty vessel,’ it’s essential that we recharge and ‘refill’ to take care of others.
How might you know if you are suffering from compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue can manifest in several different ways, both emotionally and physically. Here here are some red flags to look out for:
Exhaustion
Dread
Feeling depressed or anxious about the caregiving duties
Headache
Digestive issues
Irritability
If you feel you are suffering from compassion fatigue, there are ways to manage this issue.
Have a strong support system
Building a network of peers who understands your caretaking journey can provide you with support as you navigate the many challenges of this job. Join a support group, a network or a community event that caters specifically to caregivers. These groups are frequently sub-divided into specific categories of caregiving; for example, being the sole caretaker of an aging or ill parent, working with small children, counseling and working in a hospital or medical center.
Make time for yourself
Be sure to schedule regular breaks throughout the day, no matter how brief, to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it's a few minutes of quiet meditation, watching a feel-good movie, binge-watching a TV series, reading a few quick pages in a book, drinking a cup of tea, journaling or going for a brisk walk around the block, these moments of self-care can help you regain energy and focus.
Get mental health support
If you've tried a few of these strategies and are still feeling overwhelmed or depleted, it may be time to seek professional assistance. It's not considered a weakness to prioritize your own mental health, take care of yourself, and ask for support; rather, it's an acknowledgment to yourself that providing care can be challenging and that we can't always do it alone. Right now at Thrope Therapy we offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or inquiries at hello@thropetherapy.com.
