How to Recognize Compassion Fatigue and
Ease Emotional Burn Out

Are you experiencing compassion fatigue? Are you just plain exhausted from giving, giving, giving?

Does it seem like your emotional resilience has vanished?

When you're feeling overwhelmed, worn out, and empty, it's nearly impossible to stay on track the way you’d like.

This may cause you to feel guilty, resentful, and disappointed. Why? Because your cup is empty and no one seems to notice.

Think of your emotional health like a cup. When it is overflowing, you are at your best and are able to give freely to others. A full cup means you are feeling loved, powerful, and content.

For example, when your cup is full you may tend to be more generous and forgiving. You may compliment others and truly not expect compliments in return. You recognize that you are happy and confident and that you can afford to offer some happiness to other people. This is a wonderful time as you can give abundantly from the overflow of your cup.

Since your "cup" is internal, it is hard for others to know when you are in need of some love and attention. And when you're not getting what you need, your cup remains empty. Emotional burn out is the result of an empty cup.

We women spend a lot of our days giving to and providing for others, often at our own expense. When you give to the point of depletion and exhaustion, you’re experiencing compassion fatigue. Personal boundaries setting is an essential component to avoiding emotional burnout.

What if you need someone else's help to ease your compassion fatigue? How do you go about getting time away from the kids, some appreciation, or a listening ear? The easiest and most honest way is to ask for what you need.

As much as we would love for other people to know what we need when we need it, that simply is not realistic or fair. Making your needs known is the best way of ensuring that you'll get what you desire. And that's how you'll build your emotional resilience.

What does it take to fill your cup? Alone time? A supportive listening partner? Appreciation for a hard job well done? It's different for everyone. But you can figure what you need, and sometimes that simply may be time and space to re-energize your spirit!

You can reduce emotional burn out and compassion fatigue by working with a life coach to:

• Choose a new direction. The most effective and enduring, way of dealing with compassion fatigue is to focus on making life changes you can maintain. Ask yourself if you're happy in your current situation. Maybe it's time for a big life change, like finding a new job or moving to a new city.

• Take a timeout. It's a good idea to step away from the situation that's causing your burnout, even if it is just for an hour or so. Emotionally and physically separating from the people, places, and environments that are causing distress can give you a much needed boost and a better sense of perspective.

  You don't necessarily need much time, space, or money to take your own personal time out. Your goal is to relax and clear your mind. You can certainly do this at home or in your local community.

• Fix the problem. Figure out what your options are, what you need to do to solve the problem, and do it as quickly as you can. Even though it can be hard, ask for help from others if necessary. The return of your mental well-being is at stake!

• Regain control. Take control of the situation where possible. Recognize that you are capable of solving your problems and that you're not going to be stuck in this situation forever. Also have the wisdom to know what things are out of your control and do your best to not worry about that which you cannot change.

• Be open and honest. Sometimes the smartest move is to set your pride aside and ask for help when you need it. Share the issues you're facing with a trusted friend or family member. Acknowledge your concerns and ask that person for the help you need. If that's not an option for you, seek the help of a counselor.

You too can enjoy more emotional resilience and help keep yourself more balanced!

Once you've gotten yourself to a better mental and emotional place, it's important to figure out how the burnout happened and what you can do to avoid it in the future.

Study the factors that led to the compassion fatigue, identify your mistakes, and utilize your strengths so you can enjoy a smoother ride the next time a challenging situation arises.

These strategies will help you regain peace with yourself. If there are any outstanding issues that you need to resolve, seek solutions so you can achieve peace. Some effective methods to understanding yourself and your situations better include self-reflection, prayer, meditation, and communication. Once you have solid solutions at hand, you'll avoid burnout altogether!

Readers who enjoy this page also enjoy learning about what is a life coach.

Self Improvement Resources for Women

Return from Compassion Fatigue to How to Build Self Confidence
Return from Compassion Fatigue to Focused Momentum Life Coach