You never know when someone who you love and care about may be facing challenges in life. It can be anything from a mental illness to a disability or going through a financial hardship due to job loss.
You may be wondering how you can best support this person and help them feel better. Be glad to know that there are some actions you can take and focus on that will allow you to achieve this goal. Most importantly, be patient and proud of yourself for wanting to lend a hand. Here you can review some tips for helping a loved one who may be struggling.
Be A Good Listener
A good first step is to have a conversation with this person and commit to being a good listener. You want to hear them out and what they have to say without adding commentary or judging them. Give them your full attention without distraction and only provide advice if they are seeking it. You can use this as an opportunity to validate their emotions and let them know you are there to support them.
Utilize Local Resources
Another tip for helping a loved one who may be struggling is to utilize local resources. It’s never a bad idea to reach out for professional assistance and take advantage of programs or organizations in your area that can be useful. For example, if this person is struggling with their mental health then you may want to help them find a therapist. On the other hand, if your loved one has a disability and needs extra assistance then you may want to look into an option such as getting them involved with Empowered Community Services. It will take some of the pressure off of you and ensure that the person you care about is able to lead a quality life.
Ask How You Can Help
If your loved one is struggling then another idea is to reach out and ask how you can help. It’s a great opportunity to offer practical support and acts of kindness to someone in need. There are many ways you can step up and offer assistance such as providing transportation, helping with grocery shopping and errands, or watching their kids if they have to work or have other obligations.
Take Good Care of Yourself
You want to make sure that you don’t spread yourself too thin or get lost in the shuffle when helping a loved one who may be struggling. Otherwise, you risk becoming overwhelmed and feeling stressed out. It’s more important than ever that you set boundaries and commit to practicing self-care in your daily life. You’ll be a better support person for your loved one when you feel your best and are taking good care of yourself.
Conclusion
It’s never easy watching someone who you love face hard times. However, the upside is that there are simple and effective ways you can help. These are some tips you can begin to implement as you try to navigate uncertainty and offer your unconditional love and support to an important person in your life.
