Compassion is defined as the sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortune of others.
It is an emotion that is decidedly topical in the veterinary industry. The question I pose is how to balance or manage compassion.
On one hand, too much compassion chronically and/or inadequate management strategies, can lead to compassion fatigue. Too little compassion can lead to a lack of purpose or meaning and be seen by pet owners and colleagues as insensitive and uncaring.
Most people (if not all), drawn to the veterinary industry are highly empathetic people by nature. Helping pets/animals and their owners, offers happiness, pride and satisfaction.
It is not uncommon for workers within the industry to feel the effects of compassion fatigue at any given time. An imbalance of energy and emotion gifted to clients, patients and even family members without a corresponding deposit in the bank of self-care, leaves a person depleted. Dark clouds of depression, fatigue, lack of motivation and an inability to separate professional and personal life are possible indicators of compassion fatigue.
What is the answer for people who have chosen a care giving profession and want a balanced approach to manage their ‘compassion bank’?
Show self-compassion.
Learning the art of compassion for oneself is vital and seemingly multifaceted.
· Finding time to spend with family and friends who are supportive and kind is helpful.
· Finding time for loved activities such as sport, exercise, gardening, time in nature and hobbies provides valuable deposits in the ‘self-compassion’ bank.
· Creating and maintaining personal boundaries aids self-care.
· Having realistic expectations of case outcomes in the clinical setting avoids blame and frustration.
· Maintaining a reasonable work schedule avoids fatigue.
· Having realistic expectations of your own ability and knowing when to seek help can mitigate feelings of overwhelm.
· Practicing good nutrition and sleep habits assists overall wellbeing.
Recognise the signs of compassion fatigue.
Having a level of self-awareness can alert us to when changes need to be made. Waiting until you cannot psychologically manage any longer, is too late.
Take time to recalibrate and institute methods of self-care as discussed above.
Be aware of your colleagues.
Feeling supported by those immediately surrounding you, is very therapeutic. Take the time to talk to each other, check in on how people are feeling and balance the load of the more energy consuming cases.
It is a necessary component of veterinary work, to be a naturally compassionate person. However, a level of self-preservation is needed to thrive in this industry. A precarious balancing act is embarked upon daily, managing the emotions of clients and cases alongside your own finite pool of compassion. How do you perform this balancing act?