Avoiding Burnout as a Nonprofit Employee

Key Takeaways:

• Definitions

  • Compassion Fatigue: Emotional exhaustion reducing empathy.

  • Burnout: Total empathy loss, often requiring years to recover.

• Risk Factors

  • Highly empathetic individuals, those in demanding roles, or those with low self-compassion are particularly at risk. Unsupportive workplaces and personal traumas amplify vulnerability.

• Warning Signs

  • Symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, anger, and reduced work efficiency. Untreated, burnout causes physical and emotional numbness.

• Prevention & Self-Care

  • Self-awareness of stress signals.

  • Positive coping mechanisms: exercise, therapy, journaling, or mindfulness.

  • Social support: family, friends, or professional counseling.

  • Boundary setting: prioritizing personal time and avoiding overcommitment.

• Practical Self-Care Examples

  • Physical health: sleep, healthy eating, and exercise.

  • Emotional balance: gratitude practices and learning new skills.

  • Spiritual grounding: meditation and prayer.