Fatigue
I don’t usually start off this email with a long excerpt, but given all that we’re hearing about the Coronavirus, this article from fast.ai really resonated with me:
“ ‘Don’t panic. Keep calm.’ is not helpful”
“One common response we’ve seen on social media to people that are pointing out the reasons to be concerned, is ‘don’t panic’ or ‘keep calm’. This is, to say the least, not helpful. No-one is suggesting that panic is an appropriate response. For some reason, however, ‘keep calm’ is a very popular reaction in certain circles (but not amongst any epidemiologists, whose job it is to track these things). Perhaps ‘keep calm’ helps some people feel better about their own inaction, or makes them feel somehow superior to people who they imagine are running around like a headless chicken.
“Instead, the thoughtful, reasonable response is to follow the steps that are recommended by experts to avoid spreading infections:
Avoid large groups and crowds
Cancel events
Work from home, if at all possible
Wash hands when coming and going from home, and frequently when out
Avoid touching your face, especially when outside your home (not easy!)
Disinfect surfaces and packages (it’s possible the virus may remain active for 9 days on surfaces, although this still isn’t known for sure either way).”
In other words, the danger is real. Sure, we may be getting tired of hearing about all of this, but it’s important that we do hear it … that we not stay calm … and that we do all we can to prevent the disease from spreading.
Meanwhile, we know that caregivers have many other responsibilities, too … and even in the best of times, this can cause compassion fatigue, which is this week’s topic. As caregivers, we may find ourselves with heightened anxiety about a number of things, which can lead to compassion fatigue and, potentially, to caregiver burnout.
What is compassion fatigue? It’s the physical and mental exhaustion and emotional withdrawal experienced by those who care for sick or traumatized people for an extended period of time. It’s a normal response to managing an extreme experience. While burnout comes on slowly as the stress of caregiving builds, compassion fatigue strikes quickly as your resources hit the “empty” line.
One of the ways to combat fatigue is through self-care, and here are some things you can do that might help:
Take a caregiver break – ask a friend or family member to cover for you.
Phone a friend – someone who can fully and unconditionally listen.
Focus on YOUR health – make a doctor appointment you’ve put off; work on getting more sleep and better sleep hygiene; practice mindful eating; or set an exercise goal.
And at times like these, we also need to be aware of our loved ones and their reactions to all that they’re seeing and hearing in the world around them. How do we support our loved ones AND take care of ourselves during these stressful days? Here are some recommendations:
Live one day at a time.
Don’t overindulge with the news or social media – limit to 15 minutes a day.
Focus on what you CAN control – wash your hands; don’t touch your face; use tissues for coughing and blowing your nose.
Follow CDC guidelines for your personal health – stay home if you have flu symptoms, fever, or shortness of breath.
Protect your immune system through critical self-care – be sure you’re getting the proper amount of sleep, exercise, nutrition, and hydration.
Practice breathing techniques – one of our favorites: 4-7-8 Relaxing Breath Exercise.
Focus on the now vs. what might happen in the future.
As the situation evolves, we will let you know when our in-person sessions are back to our usual schedule. Be assured that whatever happens, we’re here for YOU.