To
help a friend, you offer emotional support (active listening,
validation, presence) and practical aid (meals, errands, chores),
focusing on their specific needs through checking in, making concrete offers
("Can I walk your dog?"), respecting boundaries, and encouraging them
to seek professional help if needed, all while being a consistent,
non-judgmental presence.
Emotional
Support
Listen
Actively: Give full attention, don't interrupt, and validate their
feelings without judgment.
Be
Present: Show up, sit with them, or just be there so they aren't alone.
Validate
Feelings: Acknowledge their emotions ("That sounds incredibly
tough").
Offer
Encouragement: Send thoughtful texts, notes, or share uplifting messages.
Encourage Healthy Coping: Gently suggest activities like walks, art, or other self-care.
Practical
Help (Be Specific!)
Food
& Errands: Bring meals, coffee, groceries, or run errands.
Household
Chores: Help with laundry, dishes, or cleaning.
Child/Pet
Care: Offer to take kids out or walk their dog.
Appointments: Drive
them to doctor's visits.
Small Gestures: Bring flowers, a favorite snack, or a funny movie.
When
They're Struggling
Check-in
Regularly: Call or text just to see how they are.
Ask,
"How Can I Help?": Then listen to their answer.
Help
Expand Support: Suggest they talk to other friends, family, or
professionals.
Know
When to Step Back: Give space if they need it and don't pressure them to
"get back to normal".
Educate Yourself: Learn about what they might be going through (anxiety, depression, etc.).
Helping
friends involves a wide variety of actions, ranging from emotional support and
practical assistance to simply spending quality time together.
Here are common ways people help their friends:
Emotional
Support
Lending
a listening ear: Simply being present and listening without judgment when
they need to talk about their problems.
Offering
encouragement and validation: Reminding them of their strengths,
validating their feelings, and cheering them on when they are pursuing goals or
facing challenges.
Providing
comfort: Offering a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or words of sympathy during
times of sadness or loss.
Being a sounding board: Helping them process their thoughts and explore solutions to problems.
Practical
Assistance
Running
errands: Picking up groceries, prescriptions, or other necessary items for
them.
Helping with chores or tasks: Assisting with moving house, childcare, pet sitting, or household tasks when they are busy or unwell.
Providing transportation: Driving them to appointments, the airport, or other places they need to be.
Sharing resources: Lending money, sharing job contacts, or offering temporary use of your tools, car, or other possessions.
Cooking or bringing food: Bringing over a meal when a friend is sick, has a new baby, or is going through a tough time.
Spending Time and Sharing Experiences
Offering companionship: Inviting them to social events, exercising together, or simply hanging out to break loneliness or provide a distraction.
Engaging in shared interests: Participating in hobbies, watching a movie, or doing activities you both enjoy.
Celebrating
milestones: Acknowledging and celebrating their successes, birthdays, and
important life events.
Ultimately, the best way to help a friend often depends on their specific needs and the nature of your relationship. Open communication about how you can best support them is key.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+kind+of+things+do+we+do+to+help+friends
Comments
Neighbors often help each other as needed. Neighbor Teens are often paid for cutting grass and other chores.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
No comments:
Post a Comment