The Consequence of Caring
Compassion fatigue — protecting your energy
How deeply do you care about others, especially your loved ones? Now, think about how deeply you care about yourself. Do you speak to yourself and treat yourself with the loving kindness you give others?
If not, it is time to start now before you get mentally drained from giving all of your love and energy to others. Loving yourself is not selfish. We have to learn to F.L.Y. First Love Yourself. Just like on the airlines, they tell you to put your oxygen mask on before assisting anyone around you — same concept. We cannot serve others mentally or physically when we are exhausted.
Ask yourself:
What stresses you out?
How do you feel after listening to people’s woes?
Do you take time to practice self-care daily?
Some of us innately feel the need to relieve other people’s suffering. Empathetic people literally feel the pain that others suffer. We cannot help but listen and want to help in any way we can.
Nurses often suffer from compassion fatigue. I have had several friends experience this. They pour their energy into their patients throughout long shifts. Their compassion has proven to help patients heal or recover faster, but after some time, it leaves many nurses feeling drained and depressed. Their families cannot relate to their experiences, so they feel isolated and alone. I had one friend who worked with terminally ill cancer patients. She got to know their families and enjoyed their stories, but eventually, they died. Imagine how heartbreaking it is to experience that repeatedly.
The same is true for empaths. They help everyone who comes across their path. By listening actively, they absorb what the suffering person feels. Compassion fatigue is now often referred to as Empathetic Distress Fatigue and is classified as a form of PTSD.
Compassion Fatigue is far worse than burnout.
Many people get burned out from long hours and tedious work. Compassion Fatigue or Empathetic Distress Fatigue is considered a far more serious psychological condition. Compassion Fatigue involves being so concerned about the well-being of others that they neglect to care for themselves.
Signs of Compassion Fatigue
- feeling helpless, hopeless, powerless
- irritability
- hyperarousal
- mood swings and anger
- feeling detached
- insomnia
Anyone with a heavy workload, excessive demands, or exposure to traumatic events should be cautious and know about this term and its ramifications.
The Antidote for Compassion Fatigue
It is very important to raise your emotional intelligence. By doing so, you are more aware and able to separate self-love and care from the care of others to protect your own energy. It is essential to practice excellent self-care. If symptoms of depression continue or worsen, seek the professional care of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Getting a massage or having a Reiki session may also be very helpful periodically.
Examples of Self-Care
- Time in nature
- Good sleep habits
- Eating a well-balanced diet
- Rest & relaxation
- Exercise
- Yoga or Thai chi
- Meditation
- Listening to calming music
- Aromatherapy
- Journalling and saying positive affirmations
- Engaging in a hobby
Final Thoughts
Empathetic people, nurses, doctors, police officers and first responders, 911 operators, and therapists are at high risk of Compassion Fatigue. Caring is a wonderful quality, but not at the risk of one’s own sanity and mental well-being. If your family doesn’t want to hear about your shift on the job or experiences, journal about it or talk with a therapist or coach so that you can express yourself and get out all of those negative feelings and concerns you may be harboring.
Remember F.L.Y. (First Love Yourself.) It is critical to nurture our bodies and minds and practice kind self-talk so that we have the energy to give to others.
This article was inspired by the lovely and talented 𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪 𝓒’s January prompt, How many chances is too many? Diana offers amazing and creative prompts; if you are not aware, definitely check them out.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Please comment and tell me if you have experienced this.
Peace & Light,
Libby
My next relationship prompt is coming out on February 5th — I hope your excitement is building! Meanwhile, feel free to submit your own creative articles to The Relationship Column anytime by adding In response to Dancing Elephants Relationship Column in the subtitle and using #Dep Relationships and #Dancingelephantspress.
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