Compassion Fatigue & Burnout

Self care is far more than doing an enjoyable activity. Self care is rest and care for one’s holistic self, which builds sustainability to weather life’s storms. When some of these vital practices are forgotten, it’s easy to become susceptible to compassion (especially if you’re a caregiver), or burn out. Tending your physical, emotional, spiritual and emotional needs helps to ensure that you are maintaining connection with yourself, and others. Holistic wellness consists of caring for the physical body, managing stress, tending to spiritual needs, allowing the space to reflect and do things that bring life, and maintaining connection with one’s self and others

(Introduction to Self Care, 2025)

Know the signs, and give yourself the space to do something that brings you life

What are the signs?

Burnout can look like (Queen's University, 2024):

• Critical attitudes

• Low Energy

• Physical Aches

• Emotional absence

• Difficulty sleeping

• Irritability

• Feeling lack of purpose

• Feeling of dread

Compassion Fatigue can look like (Canadian Medical Association, 2020) :

• Reduced empathy

• Feeling overwhelmed by job demands

• Loss of interested in joy-filled activities

• Increased anxiety

• Difficulty concentrating

• Neglecting self-care

• Withdrawal and self isolation

The good news though, is that there are ways to mitigate the risks of burnout and

compassion fatigue! By using preventative techniques like stress management tools,

and boundaries, it is more than possible to be a healthy and thriving, even in the midst of life's biggest challenges.

Stress Management & Boundaries

To prevent the potential negative side effects, the first thing to do is to recognize and

respond to the signs of stress. Developing a work-life balance will help. Other coping

techniques include maintaining social supports, seeking professional help, debriefing with

collueges and supervisors, and setting boundaries. Boundaries can be placed on time,

mental energy, physical/geographical space or communications.

What practices bring you joy, and help to keep you well?