Imagine a day that ends in complete exhaustion. Despite the fact that a to-do list dominated the day, tomorrow’s agenda is still overflowing with mouths to feed, errands to run, and work to accomplish. Everything that happened today and needs to happen tomorrow is good and important; it’s all for the benefit of others. So why is it so draining?
In “Why Everyone (Including Us) Needs to Practice Self-Aid,” Jamie Aten and Kent Annan suggest that the answer could be a lack of self-care.
“To care well for others, we must care well for ourselves,” they write. “In fact, studies have shown that our effectiveness as helpers decreases without self-aid. Neglect yourself, and you’ll be prone to make mistakes, struggle to be present with others, and put your own well-being at risk.”
Aten and Annan recommend a few simple steps toward preventing compassion fatigue and burnout, including:
- Listening to yourself
- Spending time with people who understand
- Worshipping and praying
Some days, there’s nothing to be done about the fact that our heads hit the pillow completely depleted. But small changes that emphasize giving ourselves grace can help us reduce the number of nights we feel utterly exhausted, instead giving us the joy of days that end with peace.
