The Idealist's Survival Kit: 75 Simple Ways to Avoid Burnout [Paperback]

75 brief self-care reflections to help aid workers, activists, and volunteers renew purpose and achieve fulfillment. 

Heal from over-exhaustion, prevent burnout, and regain your motivation with these short readings from a psychologist who has spent many years in the field working in conflict and disaster areas. Gathered from Alessandra Pigni’s interaction with humanitarian professionals and backed up by cutting–edge research, these concrete tools offer new perspectives and inspiration to anyone whose work is focused on helping others. Alessandra makes clear that we need to treat ourselves humanely, just as we declare our main aim is to show humanity to others. I commend this book to you most warmly.”—Dr. Hugo Slim, Head of Policy, The International Committee of the Red Cross

Alessandra Pigni has pioneered the field of care in action.  The Idealist's Survival Kitis a godsend for every activist and aid worker.”—Michael Edwards, Editor ofTransformation

With bracing honesty and piercing clarity, Alessandra Pigni shows us not only why, but also how, to practice self-empathy for the sake of efficacy.”— Irshad Manji,The Trouble with Islam Today,Founder, Moral Courage Project

“This book is a must-read—not only for those who work for NGOs on the front-line of humanitarian catastrophes, but all those who work in the helping professions throughout the world.”—Mark Williams, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of OxfordAlessandra Pigniis a humanitarian psychologist with several years of experience in the Middle East. After serving with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders in Palestine and China, she has dedicated her work to understanding the connection between meaningful work and burnout. She has been ELAC Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Oxford alS.