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What role does self-care play in preventing compassion fatigue? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: What role does self-care play in preventing compassion fatigue?
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  SPEAKER_00: Self-care is the intentional practice of looking after your physical, emotional and mental well-being.
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  SPEAKER_00: It involves taking regular action that helps you stay healthy, manage stress and maintain balance so you can cope with life's challenges and continue functioning at your best.
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  SPEAKER_00: Self-care plays a central role in preventing compassion fatigue because it helps you restore the emotional, mental and physical energy that is used when caring for others.
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  SPEAKER_00: Compassion fatigue often develops gradually when you continually give support without enough opportunity to recover.
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  SPEAKER_00: Here are some ways self-care can help.
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  SPEAKER_00: Self-care protects your emotional well-being.
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  SPEAKER_00: Supporting people through trauma, grief or distress can have an emotional impact.
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  SPEAKER_00: Taking time to process your own feelings through journaling, supervision, counselling or talking with trusted friends can help prevent emotional overload.
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  SPEAKER_00: Regular self-care lowers the body's stress response.
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  SPEAKER_00: Activities such as exercise, mindfulness, deep breathing, spending time in nature or hobbies can reduce stress hormones and help your nervous system to return to a calmer state.
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  SPEAKER_00: Self-care includes setting realistic limits on your time and emotional availability, learning to say no when necessary, taking breaks and avoiding overcommitting help prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
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  SPEAKER_00: Self-care supports physical health.
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  SPEAKER_00: Looking after your body improves your ability to cope with stress.
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  SPEAKER_00: This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, taking regular breaks during the day.
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  SPEAKER_00: When your physical health suffers, your emotional resilience often decreases too.
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  SPEAKER_00: People who constantly practice self-care are generally better able to recover after difficult situations rather than carrying the emotional weight of every interaction.
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  SPEAKER_00: They can acknowledge it, process it, and move forward.
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  SPEAKER_00: Self-care is not an indulgence, it is a professional responsibility for anyone in a helping role.
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  SPEAKER_00: Looking after your own well being enables you to continue supporting others effectively while reducing the risk of compassion fatigue, burnout and emotional exhaustion.
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  SPEAKER_00: If you are thinking of harming yourself or feel unsafe, please call your local emergency number or crisis line.