How to beat crisis fatigue

Care and compassion are essential to ending the problems our society faces, and feeling overwhelmed, angry, or sad as a result are healthy responses to crisis. But living in the world today, with its tangled mess of vast, complex problems, can push feelings further into exhaustion. As an engaged citizen, it can sometimes feel like the world is constantly engulfed in crisis.

 

Crisis fatigue is when a prolonged exposure to crisis causes frustration, anxiety, disgust, grief, helplessness, and even feelings of apathy.

 

It can have a negative personal impact, as well as making it harder to make a difference to the problems you care about. It can feel like a depletion of energy or a loss of hope and confidence in the ethics of society, a feeling of numbness, and a lack of motivation to take action.

 

Those working in charity services may feel crisis fatigue because working within the folds of crisis can highlight the ways in which change isn’t happening fast enough, and the consequences that can result.

So, with seemingly more and more bad news mounting every day, how can you overcome crisis fatigue? This article explores some methods to try.

 

 

See the bigger picture of crisis fatigue

 

Activists have shared that they feel guilty to care for their own wellbeing, comparing themselves to others who don’t have the same privilege, and feeling personally responsible for not being able to complete all the necessary tasks and help all of the people who need it.

 

But as recent research from Helmut-Schmidt University in Germany highlights, burnout is a common threat to activists’ personal sustainability and to a movement’s effectiveness. One of the first things to be affected by stress is our sleep, and prolonged exposure to stress can have negative physical impacts on the immune system, digestive system, and the cardiovascular system.

 

At work, the impacts of crisis fatigue on our health and outlook on life can mean that it becomes harder to serve others. As the popular saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

 

Instead of guilt, extend yourself some compassion and recognise the context of your crisis fatigue. It is a widespread problem, even theorised as a “sociopolitical condition” of our time, resulting from repeated warnings about crisis, disaster, catastrophe, and impending doom.

 

The truth is that no one individual person can take on the problems of the world. It is a responsibility we all share, both within the charity sector and beyond. So it’s okay not to carry the weight of all the world’s problems all the time. Take care of yourself first, and you might even find that your efforts go further when you’re able to “serve others from your overflow”.

 

 

Be intentional about your attention and energy

 

To overcome crisis fatigue, set boundaries to avoid becoming overwhelmed. That could mean making changes to achieve a better work-life balance.

 

Taking breaks and setting limits with social media and other media sources can be a useful way to reset from crisis fatigue, manage your wellbeing, and refocus your attention and energy going forward.

 

When you engage with the news, be an active consumer, exercising curiosity, asking questions to understand different viewpoints, and rejecting “clickbait” and other inaccurate media designed to be polarising.

 

Intention also means prioritising how your skills and insights can be put to best use to help improve the problems you care about, focusing on where you can have control and influence. This will help your sense of agency and hope when it comes to crises, and help you make a bigger difference through focused time and attention.

 

 

Celebrate success, cultivate positivity

 

When change is taking a long time, it might feel like your actions don’t make a difference – but that’s not the case.

 

Celebrating every success along the way, no matter how big or small, is a reminder that your actions do have an impact. Try keeping a record of all the ways you’ve made a difference to help build optimism and resilience when things are difficult.

 

Combatting crisis fatigue can also mean pursuing other things that bring you joy and hope, whether that’s enjoying a sense of connection with friends and community, embracing the humorous and light-hearted elements of life, or seeking out positive stories of people’s kindness.

 

 

Manage your overall wellbeing

 

Difficult emotions, stress, and exhaustion are like a warning light on a car that something needs to be done. Depending on how crisis fatigue is affecting you, that may involve reviewing your physical health, such as nutrition, sleep, exercise, and getting enough fresh air. It may mean taking a break to rest or engage in hobbies or activities that you find soothing.

 

Talking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling can help you stay connected and show that you’re not alone. Mental health professionals can also help you manage your wellbeing. In addition, here are some wellbeing resources that may be helpful:

• British Red Cross: Self-kindness toolkit
• Mind: Coping with distressing events in the news
• Mind: Mental health at work
• NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing
• Third Sector Podcast: Self-care for overworked charity professionals

 

 

Community recovery from crisis fatigue

 

While change is clearly needed at scale, managing crisis fatigue can also happen at the community level. Our “culture of crisis” means that many are on the same page, so how we interact with each other matters. Even if in small ways, being kind and patient with others, encouraging hope, and taking intentional action together can also help make a difference.

 

 

Find out more

 

Our 2025 Reimagining Service Delivery Summit unlocked new perspectives on service delivery and how charities can maximise value to service users. Click here to watch the session recordings for free.

 

Our Reimagining Services Hub features regular articles, podcasts, and webinars to support charities in delivering services. Click here to learn more.