Which of the following is NOT a strategy to prevent compassion fatigue?

Which of the following is NOT a strategy to prevent compassion fatigue?

• A. Increasing personal stress without rest
• B. Reflective journaling
• C. Spending time with family and friends
• D. Exercising

Answer: (A)

Preventing compassion fatigue hinges on self-care and strategies that restore energy after exposure to others’ suffering. Increasing personal stress without rest runs counter to that goal: it drains your energy, lowers coping resources, and makes it much harder to stay compassionate over time. Reflective journaling supports prevention by helping you process emotional responses, notice early signs of stress, and gain perspective, which keeps you grounded and aware. Spending time with family and friends provides important social support and a sense of normalcy outside work, helping you recharge. Exercising boosts mood, reduces anxiety, improves sleep, and builds physical and mental resilience, all of which strengthen your ability to cope with caregiving demands. So, the option that does not fit as a preventive strategy is increasing personal stress without rest.

Preventing compassion fatigue hinges on self-care and strategies that restore energy after exposure to others’ suffering. Increasing personal stress without rest runs counter to that goal: it drains your energy, lowers coping resources, and makes it much harder to stay compassionate over time.

Reflective journaling supports prevention by helping you process emotional responses, notice early signs of stress, and gain perspective, which keeps you grounded and aware. Spending time with family and friends provides important social support and a sense of normalcy outside work, helping you recharge. Exercising boosts mood, reduces anxiety, improves sleep, and builds physical and mental resilience, all of which strengthen your ability to cope with caregiving demands.

So, the option that does not fit as a preventive strategy is increasing personal stress without rest.