How Best To Bounce Back From Compassion Fatigue (Part 2)

Ways To Increase Compassion, Patience & Ability To Listen

The first step to recovering from compassion fatigue is to recognize the red flags or signs that you are losing your empathy and compassion for others. Examples range from exhaustion to dreading working with people, feeling burdened, isolating yourself, losing pleasure in life, and insomnia. 

The fact is, we are human beings with limits on our energy to serve, our patience to listen, and our ability to be helpful. 

When I highlight Compassion in my programs, I often refer to a book that I read with my son, Anthony, titled “How Full Is Your Bucket” (Gallup/ Tom Rath; link). The main idea of the story is that we all wake up every day with a “bucket” that is filled with good thoughts, feelings, energy, patience, and compassion, along with a “dipper”. Every day, our behavior, actions, and choices about what we say and do determine whether we can fill another’s buckets or dip into them. It is an important choice that influences relationships, productivity, health, and happiness. Each interaction that we encounter allows us to shine a light on what is right and good, such as being kind or showing compassion to others. The great news is that when you fill other buckets, your own bucket fills with more ability to be your best caring self.

On those challenging days when your bucket is drained, you may have to protect what compassion is left from “dippers” and recognize when it's getting low. Remember this - Compassion itself becomes the key to unlocking compassion fatigue. Maybe it is giving more, doing more, or even better yet, focusing on having compassion for yourself. 

Self-compassion is treating yourself like you would a friend who may be having a hard day or has experienced a setback. Self-compassion is extending the same kindness and grace to yourself as you do to others. Be kind to yourself and allow time to recover to refill your bucket. The best way to recharge your compassion and care for others is through self-care.  As Lalah Delia states, “Self-care is how you take your power back.” 

Self-care is not selfish; it is necessary. Self-care allows you to give your best to customers, employees, and family, not just what is left over. Self-care is protecting your best self by taking care of yourself to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. Research suggests self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress.

If your mission is to keep your bucket filled, then you must care for yourself first before you can help or care for anyone else. The ways to focus on self-care to refuel and recharge are limitless, from finding a quiet space to think, going for a walk, meditating, gardening, listening to music, being creative, walking, and spending time with friends and family. Find what works for you daily and make it a priority to refuel and recharge! 

You will find that when you practice self-compassion and daily refill your bucket, you are better able to bounce back quickly from hard days of serving and giving. What will you do today to fill someone’s bucket?