Recognizing Compassion Fatigue - When Caregivers Need Care

Do You Have Compassion Fatigue? 5 Ways to Help Yourself

Five Ways to Help Yourself

By Tim Jarvis

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When you're caring for someone, practicing self-awareness and self-care can help you maintain your boundaries; this, in turn, allows you to be fully compassionate without being consumed by the other person's pain. Consider:

Mindfulness meditation—it's been shown to decrease depression and anxiety while boosting empathy. [Try Sharon Salzberg's audio meditations]
Keeping a journal. Research suggests that reflective writing helps prevent compassion fatigue.
A daily act of self-centering: Set an alarm for noon and take four deep breaths; or when you wash your hands, sink into the experience, feeling the sensation of the water on your skin while noting, "I am worthy of my own time."
Staying connected to the outside world with at least a phone call every day. Better yet, get outside, even just to take a walk.
And don't be afraid to ask for help.

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From the September 2009 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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