Ways To Help Your Loved Ones Get Through Tough Times
You might know how to live a healthier life. You might do everything that makes you feel your best, from eating well to exercising and socializing. However, not everyone knows the best ways to care for themselves. A friend might have dealt with trauma, or your mum might not know which medication to take to heal her ailment.
Either way, taking care of others might be in your interest if your loved ones are going through a tough time. Although you are your own responsibility and you shouldn’t have to have the responsibility of others, sometimes taking responsibility for others is for their health. Taking control and helping them could be what they need to restore their health and well-being.
On that note, if you have a loved one going through something and wish to help them, here are some tips.
Look out for the signs:
Some people might wear a great mask. They might tell you everything is fine to hide the truth. However, if you look out for specific signs (and know what to look for), you will soon discover that everything is not fine.
For instance, understanding the signs of drug or alcohol abuse could help you get your friend out of a bad place.
Looking out for the signs of substance abuse will ensure you can help your loved one so that they can get better. Ensuring you are supportive and patient with your loved one will encourage them to understand you are there to help them and not be argumentative. The calmer you approach the subject when you see the signs, the more willing they will listen.
Seeing the signs is the first step to helping your loved one get through a tough time.
If you cannot distinguish signs easily, always check in with your loved ones and ask twice if they are ok. After one attempt, your loved one might say yes and hide the truth. However, asking a second time might encourage them to open up, and they will realize you are prepared to listen and support them.
Do activities together
After you notice the signs and encourage them to seek help and open up, the next step to helping your loved one cope with a tough time is to be active with them.
You will know what they do and do not enjoy doing. Hence, you can partake in activities you know will distract them and cheer them up. They might need a form of distraction to help them avoid taking a wrong turn.
Being there for them and spending more time with them will show them you care and ensure they have someone to talk to. If they struggle with doing things, be patient and start small. For instance, you might know they used to love dining out before they hit this tough period. While they might not want to dine out, you could dine in and cook together. Starting small and having fun together in a way that is easy for them will help them feel supported and cared for.
