According to Psychiatric Times, professional burnout (a.k.a. compassion fatigue) is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism and "a sense of personal inefficiency or impeded accomplishment." Although Strategies to Avoid Burnout in Professional Practice focuses on mental health professionals, many of the suggestions can be applied to everyone experiencing "an erosion of soul." The key to avoiding burnout is to identify areas where you have control, stay connected to others, and practice self-care.
"Although external stressors themselves cannot always be changed, healthy approaches to lessen the stresses . . . and avoid burnout can be learned at any age."
