In the Human Services field, you are giving so much of yourself that it can, at times, become draining. To help you prepare to serve others, it’s important to learn skills like practicing self-care, boundaries and establishing a good support system. Even if this is not a field you want to go into, these skills are still important! For this assignment you will:
Watch the TED Talk about Compassion Fatigue here: http://compassionfatigue.org/ (Links to an external site.) (Go to this website and scroll down for the video). Summarize the video in a short (at least 8-9 sentence) paragraph highlighting key points and parts that resonated with you.
Take at least one of the three assessments here: http://compassionfatigue.org/pages/selftest.html (Links to an external site.). What were the results and what did you learn about yourself?
Create a Self-Care Plan by specifying at least 5 healthy boundaries or habits you already have or want to incorporate into your life. Examples include daily meditation or prayer, weekly Zumba classes, going camping once a month, starting a gratitude journal, spending quality family fun time on Friday nights, etc. Be intentional and clear about how you will practice “putting in” so you will be full enough to “give out”. Be specific about how you will incorporate this self care into your life.
While there isn’t a word limit for this assignment, its purpose is to prepare you to be a healthy, mindful person, so please be thorough and thoughtful!