Everyone needs help and comfort at some time in their lives. Everyone struggles and could always use the support from those around them. Here are some ways you can best show your presence and support.
Remind Them You Are There For Them
When you know that someone is going through something and they need comfort, you want to let them know you are there for them, in whatever capacity you feel comfortable in as well as taking their comfort and needs into consideration. This can be in the form of a phone call, text message, or meeting in person to let them know you are there. Everyone is busy in their lives, but you can still let someone know that you are able to support them even in small ways.
Listen To What They Are Saying And Not Just Hear
If there is someone in your life that needs comfort and support, one of the most common ways to help is to have a conversation and get them to open up about what is bothering them by listening. It is important that you focus on listening to what they have to say, and not just responding. Sometimes, the most effective way to comfort someone is to allow them to unburden themselves and let things out, without responding or replying. This allows them to feel comforted without the feeling they will be judged or told what to do and how to feel. Active listening is not as easy as you might think, and there are many ways to improve your ability to do so as well.
Have Patience
Someone that is struggling with different issues, whether it is depression or grief or whatever else they may be dealing with can take time to open up. Or you might have someone who wants to talk about things quickly. Everyone deals with emotions at their own time and pace. It is important that you never rush or push someone more than they are comfortable and capable with.
Different Ways To Show Support
As mentioned, you can support a friend or family member in different ways, whether via text or in person. This can be handled with care highlighted in this URL to ensure you know how best to approach matters. You should also consider what is best for the person, gauging how they deal with matters and even asking them what they feel comfortable doing. If they want to stay in, you can be there to support them. If they need a distraction to escape their grief and issues for a little bit, you can do the same.
Acknowledge Their Struggle Instead Of Minimizing Their Feelings
When people are going through a tough time and are in need of comfort, it can be enticing or tempting to give them advice or talk over them, telling them things could be worse or that they need to be grateful for what they have. Although this may work and help some people and would be for good intention, this is not always the case. In many scenarios, this actually minimizes the feelings of the individual, making them feel as though their struggles are not worth the time and energy. Avoid doing this to ensure that their feelings matter.
Encourage Them To Seek Help
People need comfort for a variety of reasons. Some people need support for only a short amount of time, while others need long-term help. It is important to remind yourself that you don’t have to be the only support system and that there are professionals out there able to handle more serious situations of distress. If you feel you cannot provide the comfort someone needs, you should not feel guilty as there is training and experience that is best suited for certain circumstances.
Don’t Ignore Yourself
Helping others may feel like a priority, as you see others distressed and in need of comfort. However, it is important to acknowledge that giving that energy and effort to be there for others is draining, and can take a toll on yourself as well. Don’t forget to take care of your own wellbeing, physically, mentally, and emotionally. By ensuring that you prioritize yourself from time to time, you also ensure that you are able to be there for others when they need it.
It is important that if you recognize someone is going through something, that you know how best to comfort them. You never know when they can be in a worse position and just need some extra support. You can be there to help others in different ways, for different situations.
