JAKARTA - Having a high sense of empathy is a gift, but without control, empathy can backfire on yourself. Clinical psychologist Virginia Hanny, M.Psi., reminds us of the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries, especially when we face a prolonged crisis or disaster situation.
If we constantly absorb the suffering of others without pause, we risk experiencing compassion fatigue or deep emotional exhaustion.
The Dangers Behind Good Intentions
This condition often affects health workers, volunteers, and the general public who are too emotionally involved. Instead of helping, the helper can feel overwhelmed and even experience trauma.
"It is important to realize that we can still care without having to bear responsibility for all the suffering of others," said Virginia as quoted by ANTARA.
How to Keep Empathy "Healthy"
So that our good intentions do not drain our mental health, here are some recommended psychological boundaries:
Distinguish Empathy from Over-involvement: You can understand other people's feelings without having to completely immerse yourself in their suffering to the point of losing yourself.
Admit your limitations: Realize that everyone has a limited emotional capacity. We can't help everyone at the same time.
Take a Break from Heavy Content: Avoid exposure to intense images, videos, or emotional narratives on a continuous basis. Turn off news notifications for a while if you start to feel suffocated or stressed.
Energy Recharge: Turn your attention to calming activities such as exercise, creative hobbies, or self-reflection to restore your emotional capacity.
Taking Care of Yourself Doesn't Mean You Don't Care
Many people feel guilty when they withdraw for a moment from a crisis situation. However, Virginia insists that maintaining a healthy distance does not mean reducing humanity.
It is by maintaining our own mental health that we ensure that our empathy "fuel" does not run out, so that we can continue to help others in the long run.
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