How to Prevent Compassion Fatigue
If you’ve ever felt emotionally drained after caring deeply for others, you’re not alone. In hospice work, we often give so much of ourselves – our time, energy, and heart – that we can sometimes forget to refill what we’ve poured out.
That exhaustion has a name: compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue happens when our deep empathy for others begins to wear us down. It’s not the same as burnout – it’s more emotional than physical. It’s what can happen when our heart stays open for others but we forget to tend to our own.
The good news? With awareness and small habits, you can care deeply and stay well.
Here’s how to protect your heart while continuing to serve with love.
Recognize the Signs Early
The first step in prevention is knowing what to look for. Compassion fatigue can show up as:
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Irritability or mood swings
- Feeling hopeless or “over it”
- Losing joy in things you used to love
If you notice these signs, it’s your body and mind gently saying, “I need care, too.”
Remember, Their Story Isn’t Yours
When you visit a patient or family in hospice care, it’s natural to feel their emotions deeply. But it’s important to remember that you are walking beside them – not carrying their pain.
You can be compassionate without taking their sorrow home with you. Before leaving a visit, take a quiet moment to breathe and mentally release what’s not yours to hold.
You might find it helpful to silently say something like “I was here. I cared. And now I let it go with love.”
Create a “Transition Ritual”
After visiting a patient, find a small ritual that helps you shift from companion mode back to daily life.
It could be listening to your favorite song in the car, lighting a candle, or simply taking three slow breaths before walking inside.
These small acts create emotional boundaries – a gentle way to signal to your heart that your caregiving time is complete for now.
Lean on Your Team
You are not alone in this work. Talk with your Volunteer Coordinator, other volunteers, or staff members when you’re feeling heavy or unsure.
Sometimes just saying, “That visit was hard for me,” opens the door for support and understanding.
At Holly’s Haven, we’re a family – and families care for one another, too.
Fill Your Emotional Cup
Compassion fatigue isn’t just about giving too much – it’s about not receiving enough.
Make sure your life outside of volunteering includes things that fill you up emotionally.
Spend time with loved ones, laugh often, enjoy nature, create something, or practice gratitude.
Balance the weight of caregiving with things that bring you light.
Reflect – But Don’t Dwell
It’s natural to think about your patients and families after visits. Reflection helps you find meaning in your experiences, but lingering too long in sadness can deepen emotional fatigue.
Try journaling or saying a prayer for peace and comfort, then gently let it rest. It’s okay to close the page until next time.
Know That Needing Rest Doesn’t Mean You’ve Failed
Sometimes volunteers worry that needing a break means they’re not cut out for this work. But it’s actually the opposite – it means your heart is open and sensitive, exactly as it should be.
Rest is not quitting. Rest is repair.
When you take care of yourself, you ensure that the care you give to others stays full of compassion, empathy, and grace.
Keeping Your Heart Steady
At Holly’s Haven, we believe compassion is one of the most beautiful human qualities – but it needs balance to stay healthy.
By creating space for your own healing, you protect your ability to keep showing up with the same tenderness and strength that make hospice volunteers so special.
Because when your heart is cared for, your compassion shines even brighter.
Ready to Share Your Heart – Mindfully?
If you feel called to bring comfort and connection to others, consider joining our volunteer family at Holly’s Haven. We’ll walk beside you every step of the way – supporting you as you support others.
Learn more about volunteering with us and discover the joy of caring with balance, heart, and purpose.
