Because I love the topic of Compassion Fatigue I will bring it up often with other helping professionals. Some people know about it while others don’t. Some people want to know more about making their needs a priority, while others feel that is a dream far far away. When I say things like “I won’t watch an episode of Law & Order: Special Victim Unit unless my “well” is pretty full” I get some strange looks… and some of amazement. 
Keeping a daily awareness of how I am doing as a whole person keeps me at the top of my game as a helping professional. It’s not voodoo magic that enables me to maintain this awareness – it’s knowledge and tools that I have developed over the years. That’s self care!
This isn’t to say that I never feel unbalanced or that I don’t sometimes end up feeling unwell. Sometimes life does get hectic (when it rains, it pours) and I start to drop one or two self-care activities. Because I am always paying attention, I know early on when my Warning Signs pop up. It would be really nice if something would beep to let us know that our bodies are not happy when we skip meals, don’t get enough sleep or are exposed to too much trauma….. seriously, doesn’t the Iphone have an app for that by now? – I wouldn’t know – I live in RIM land and have a blackberry….
The point I am trying to make is that it isn’t just luck or innate resiliency that enables me to feel balanced, have great relationships, enjoy hobbies AND be a kick-ass helping professional – it’s over years of educating myself, using my supports (I’ve had two counsellors and two coaches and some really cool mentors), and holding myself accountable as a helping professional. I believe it is my ethical responsibility to bring my best to the people I work with and sometimes it is that belief that gets me to the gym…. or to cooking healthy meals…. or for having the courage to say “no” to people or events that will take away from my balance.
Helping professionals are some of the greatest people to work with – I wish you all the best as you do the difficult work that you do!
If you feel like it – let me know your thoughts on Compassion Fatigue – do you have any specific daily/weekly awareness practices that you do?