Learn to handle Combat Compassion Fatigue at workplace

Counselors worldwide warn of growing cases of what is known as compassion fatigue. To put it simply, compassionate exhaustion happens when one interacts constantly with people who are victims in their lives of any kind of traumatic events. Usually, carers or other medical professionals are considered to be more vulnerable to caring tiredness due to the nature of their jobs. Yet, counsellors note, compassion fatigue can hit everyone in this day and age of intense digital penetration in our lives.

One can fall prey to caring exhaustion at workplaces too. "Compassion fatigue is more likely to affect less experienced professionals and people willing to help others in times of crisis," says Pune-based life and leadership coach Dr Paras Daithankar. Such workers may have a weaker coping mechanism than those who regularly work in hostile work environments with traumatized people. "So, how does one tackle the problem?

▪︎ First identify the problem

You must first grasp the signs of fatigue of compassion. According to counsellors, if a person is suffering from such a disease, he / she must look out for these specific signs: Feeling overly distracted by the misery of others, loss of appetite, apathy towards work, feeling isolated, moaning about work and life, physical and mental exhaustion, lack of concentration, sleep disturbances and feeling meaningless in life.

▪︎ Set guidelines

Being an empathy is Healthy. And make sure you draw clear lines between yourself and the people you will be helping. Make sure you are at peace of mind-if you strike a good work-life balance, you'd be in a better position to help others. Second, there's no harm in attending to your own needs. Reflect on caring for oneself in every way possible.

▪︎ Is it just a form of burnout?

According to psychologists there's a subtle difference between compassion fatigue and burnout. "Burnouts are linked to work environments while compassionate exhaustion includes a display of chronic stress arising from showing empathy for workers who are struggling or getting upset about how they are being treated in hostile workplaces," Dr Daithankar says. Untreated or unmanaged compassion fatigue can result in burnouts, but compassion fatigue and burnout can also overlap greatly, says the life and leadership coach.

▪︎ Taking a break

If the environment of your job becomes too stressful then take a sabbatical. Pursue a hobby during this time, or just be with your nearest and dear ones. Use this break to re-evaluate your career and personal ambitions and make every effort to formulate a strategy to achieve those objectives.

▪︎Go for Technology Rehab

According to researchers, detoxification of apps or social media can be used as a part and parcel of self-care. Make sure you take breaks from time to time on the social media. Try visiting a resort without equipment. "It's recommended that people reduce computer dependence and try meditating and practicing mindfulness or yoga," Dr Daithankar suggests. "Running in the lap of nature, reading and listening to music are some of the most healthy ways to handle carrying a lot of emotional weight with performance."