This is Whole Minds Healthy Bodies the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing....

Episode Overview:

In this powerful episode, James Francis sits down with Christine Walchuk, an experienced educator and 360 Health trainer, to explore the often overlooked experience of compassion fatigue. While commonly associated with healthcare or first responders, compassion fatigue can affect anyone in a helping or service profession—including MTA employees who interact daily with the public under high-stress conditions.

Christine explains how compassion fatigue differs from burnout and stress, outlines early warning signs, and provides actionable tools to support self-awareness and recovery. Together, they explore how MTA workers can better care for themselves while continuing to care for others—at work, at home, and throughout the city.

Key Takeaways:

• Compassion fatigue is emotional exhaustion from caring deeply for others, especially under stress.
• It’s distinct from burnout, which is often linked to workload and chronic stress.
• Warning signs include irritability, detachment, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and reduced motivation.
• Many people don’t notice compassion fatigue until it has significantly impacted their wellbeing.
• Self-reflection questions—like “Do I feel drained?” or “Am I more irritable than usual?”—can help with early detection.
• Small in-the-moment strategies include deep breathing, grounding exercises, music, and movement.
• Coworker support is critical—check in with one another and celebrate small wins.
• A mental shift from “fixing” to “helping” can relieve emotional burden.
• Setting boundaries, engaging in hobbies, and transitioning out of “work mode” protect long-term wellbeing.
• Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s self-preservation and an investment in showing up fully.

Sound Bites:

• “You can care without carrying everyone’s burden.”
• “Self-care is not selfish—it’s self-preservation.”
• “You can’t pour from an empty pitcher.”
• “Celebrate the small wins—they matter.”

Meet the Guest:

Christine Walchuk, M.S.Ed., is an independent consultant and longtime educator who brings decades of experience in training and program development across corporate and academic settings. A certified Master Trainer and qualified MBTI administrator, Christine has led workshops across the U.S. and internationally for clients including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Ceridian, and more. Her expertise spans topics such as emotional intelligence, stress management, mental health in the workplace, and positive psychology. Christine is passionate about helping people manage life’s challenges—and thrive in the process.

This episode is made in partnership with Balancing Life’s Issues.

Additional Resources:

Whole Minds Healthy Bodies - https://wholeandhealthy.website