Burnout and compassion fatigue are different, but both are real, and both can affect your life at work and at home.

What’s the Difference?

Burnout comes from ongoing workplace stress (heavy workload, unclear expectations, lack of support).

Compassion fatigue comes from the emotional toll of caring for others day in and day out.

(Read more about the differences at our resource: click right here!)

You might feel:

• Tired all the time, even after sleep
• Short-tempered with others or numb to your own emotions
• Less patient or connected with children and coworkers
• Disconnected from things you usually enjoy

Burnout doesn’t stay at work. It can spill into your home life which can impact how present, engaged, or hopeful you feel outside of work too.

What Can You Do Tomorrow?

• Say no to one thing that drains your energy unnecessarily
• Take a real break: no planning, no multitasking, even for 10 minutes
• Let someone know how you’re feeling such as a friend, colleague, or supervisor
• Name one thing that’s within your control, and act on it

Burnout takes time to heal from. The changes you make in the short term will need time to positively impact how you’re feeling.

What About the Long Term?

• Changing your schedule. This could include changes to your personal schedule
• Having a support meeting with your director
• Seeking outside support (e.g., mental health professional)
• Exploring bigger changes if your current environment isn’t sustainable

The key? Don’t ignore it. Burnout is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that something important needs your care - you.