Compassion Fatigue is physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion from witnessing suffering in others. Taking care of others is one source, but also the constant bombardment of news. It develops slowly over time. As a result our resilience takes a hit. Our compassion cup is empty. We feel burned out. How can we fill our cup back up? Here's ten tips offered in A Guide to Understanding and Coping with Compassion Fatigue:
Don't pressure yourself to do all these things. Pick a couple that feel authentic for you. I think one of the best pieces of advice I ever heard was to focus on the moment. The NOW. Just breathe for a minute. I invite you to take three minutes right now to enjoy this Mindful Breathing guided meditation.
Ann Catlin, OTR, LMT is a recognized expert in the field of skilled touch in eldercare and hospice. She guides professionals in discovering Compassionate Touch in person centered dementia care. She is a team member of AGE-u-cate Training Institute.