Why it’s Important

If trauma is a part of your life, either as a survivor or as a provider, and in many cases both, practicing self care is an important step in ensuring you don’t become overwhelmed. According to Christine Meinecke Ph.D. in her post entitled Self-care in a toxic world for Psychology Today, practicing self care means, “choosing behaviors that balance the effects of emotional and physical stressors: exercising, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, practicing yoga or meditation or relaxation techniques, abstaining from substance abuse, pursuing creative outlets, engaging in psychotherapy.  Also essential to self-care is learning to self-soothe or calm our physical and emotional distress” (Meinecke, 2010). As important as practicing self care is, it’s not as easy to accomplish as we might expect. Here you’ll find descriptions of some of the effects of trauma, and strategies to maintain as healthy a life balance as possible.

Reference:
Meinecke, C. (2010). Self-care in a toxic world. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/everybody-marries-the-wrong-person/201006/self-care-in-toxic-world

American Psychological Association: Psychologist Locator

Resources

Compassion Fatigue

“Compassion fatigue is the cumulative physical, emotional and psychological effect of exposure to traumatic stories or events when working in a helping capacity, combined with the strain and stress of everyday life.

It’s important to note that compassion fatigue is different than burnout. While burnout is predictable, building over time and resulting in work dissatisfaction, compassion fatigue has a narrower focus. Someone affected by compassion fatigue may be harmed by the work they do, experiencing intrusive imagery and a change in world-view.” Excerpt taken from The American Bar Association. Continue reading here.

Office for Victims of Crime: Compassion Fatigue

Aging Care: Compassion Fatigue – When Caregivers go Beyond Burnout

AVMA: Work and Compassion Fatigue

Psychology Today: Empathy Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Among Animal Rescuers

Domestic Shelters: When Domestic Violence Takes a Toll on the Helpers

DogCentric: Saying Goodbye to Gamechanger, Dr. Sofia Yin

TED: Patricia Smith – How to Manage Compassion Fatigue in Caregiving

Burnout

“Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.

Burnout reduces productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing more to give.” Excerpt from HELPGUIDE.ORG, continue reading here.

Good Therapy: Mental Health Workers May Not Recognize Their Own Burnout

Domestic Shelter: How Survivor Advocates Can Avoid Burnout

Domestic Shelter: When the Work is Too Much

AgingCare.com: 6 Sings of Caregiver Burnout

Best Friends: Animal Caretaker Burnout

AVMA: One veterinarian explores professional wellness

Child Welfare Information Gateway: Burnout/Secondary Trauma