“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31 NIV

Among police homicide detectives there is a saying that goes, “Everybody has their body count.” It means that at some point a detective can no longer deal with another death. The saying could probably go for hospice nurses as well. Not just because of the frequency of patient’s death, but the assuming of another’s grief.

Success in any emotionally heavy career requires regular self-care if one is going to continue giving themselves to helping others. Being intentional about rest, which is getting away from stress and finding ways to effectively cope, is how you keep your cup of service full so you can continue helping others without going empty.