Claim Back Your Compassion
The world is full of suffering and there are many people who need our help. We are all aware of this, but it is hard to maintain a sense of compassion toward every person in need. This can lead to compassion fatigue or burnout. Compassion fatigue is when you start feeling less empathy and less concern for others, which could result in a lack of motivation to work on causes that you care about.
You might start feeling apathetic and detached from those around you. You might not want to read the news anymore because it makes you feel so helpless and overwhelmed with sadness. It’s important that we take time for ourselves so we can continue to be compassionate towards others when we’re needed the most!
Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon that people experience when they are constantly faced with traumatic events, both in their personal and professional lives.
When people experience compassion fatigue, they feel detached from the world around them and may also suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or insomnia. It can be difficult to take care of oneself when one is experiencing compassion fatigue.
Here’s how you can fight back
1 – Establish good self care habits. We all know getting more sleep is healthy, here’s your chance to build the habit. Studies show more sleep can help you loose weight, melt stress, and boost your immune system. More sleep plus time spent in healthy relationships and practicing self compassion can go a long way in re-fueling our compassion for others.
2 – Take time for outside hobbies. Plan to be in nature doing things you really enjoy. Walk with a friend, play an outdoor sport, hike, or just sit and observe the beauty in the world. Infusing our life with the wonder of creation plays a huge role in our ability to keep calm and resilient to circumstances.
3 – Keep a journal. Writing in a journal just 4 out of 7 days a week has been proven to affect your mental and emotional outlook in a positive way. Make sure you’re getting your gratitudes in there when writing about your amazing and blessed life.
4 – Strengthen your personal resilience. Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is a skill that will ultimately make your life happier. Coming to terms with the reality that discomfort is part of being human enables us to embrace what comes with strength and the ability to bounce back after hard things.
The amazing thing about compassion is that it’s universal and we can continue to encourage and uplift each other in each of these practices making the world around us better and more capable of change for the better.
If you’d like more information or would like to volunteer, reach out to us at info@orphanworldrelief.org