Four Ways to Help a Struggling Friend
When your friend is having a hard time, it can be difficult to know how to help them. Here are four practical ways to help a friend in need, when they are going through something challenging:
- Bring a meal or their favorite drink: Sometimes, it can mean a lot just to know that someone cares. Food or drinks (coffee or smoothie) can really be a touching gesture. Make sure you check to see if they’re home, or if you know their schedule, leave it on the porch. If you’re bringing something that is hot or cold, try to do it in a time when you are going to see them at school or at another event.
- Check on them: A text or email can mean a lot to someone who is lonely. Even if you feel like you don’t have the “right words”, saying something is always appreciated. You can even set a reminder in your phone to check on a friend, especially if they are grieving or going through a circumstance that is ongoing.
- Arrange a distraction: If your friend is going through something hard, it can feel all consuming. If you feel like it’s appropriate, you can ask them to do something where they don’t have to talk about it. Maybe shopping or lunch, and a girls day out. You can even bring over a movie and popcorn to their house, if they’re not feeling up to leaving, or if they’re recovering from sickness.
- Simply be there for them: If your friend has to have a hard meeting, attend a funeral, or physically go somewhere, it can be helpful if you offer to go with them. Your physical presence can be very comforting in a time of need. As always, you can ask them what would be most helpful, but oftentimes when people are overwhelmed, they don’t have a specific answer.
