What does self-care entail? Self-care entails a myriad of strategies designed to address stressful working conditions as well as to ensure more sustainable well-being. Suggested prevention methods for vicarious trauma include: maintaining social networks, self-awareness, physical exercise, good eating habits, developing positive coping mechanisms, limiting work to the workplace, and engaging in social justice activities as a means of addressing anger (Sinclair, 2006). The Headington Institute also identified other strategies of self-care which include engaging in reflective and creative activities, and creating a sense of balance (Headington Institute).

While some of these prevention methods were specified in order to address vicarious trauma, all of the methods suggested are good techniques to practice for self-care. Human rights workers and advocates should constantly engage in these methods suggest whether they are working with survivors of human rights abuses directly or indirectly. The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project outlined The Eight Laws Governing Self-Care:

The Eight Laws Governing Self-Care:

#1 By validating ourselves, we promote acceptance.

#2 By validating others, we elevate ourselves.

#3 By meeting our own mental, physical and emotional needs, we give care from a place of abundance, not scarcity.

#4 By practicing self-goodwill, we manifest it throughout our lives.

#5 By honoring past traumas and hurts, we allow ourselves freedom from the pain that controls us.

#6 By “doing the work,” we reclaim the personal power that is rightfully ours.

#7 By naming and taking ownership of the core issues that limit our growth, we create authenticity.

#8 By managing our self-care, we welcome happiness into our lives.
(Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project)

t is important for human rights workers and advocates not only to engage in self-care, but to also recognize any obstacles that interfere with one’s effort to take care of themselves. These might include: “keeping too busy and making helping more important, etc.” (Samuels, 2007). Additionally, guilt related to taking a break when others are working or telling oneself that “the needs of survivors are more important than the needs of helpers” are also obstacles to self-care (Samuels, 2007).

By recognizing the signs of burnout and exhaustion, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue, one can become more self-aware and learn to understand how working in certain capacities might be affecting their well-being. By understanding this as well as by making a conscientious effort to care for one’s self, human rights workers and advocates can learn to function more effectively, efficiently, and in a way that maintains their sense of well-being.

References:

Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project. The Eight Laws Governing Self-Care.
Retrieved on June 26th, 2008 from http://www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/eightlaws.html

The Headington Institute. Coping with Traumatic Stress. Retrieved on June 27th, 2008
from http://www.headington-institute-elearning.org/stress_course/

Samuels, M. (2007). Self-care. Presentation at the 5th annual Nebraska Behavioral Health Conference, Omaha, Nebraska.

Sinclair, D.A. (2006). Vicarious trauma and burn-out: Strategies for survival-The impact of high risk on workers. Presentation at the Conference on Children as Victims and Witnesses of Domestic Homicides: Lessons Learned from the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, London, England.