Life has many different “seasons,” ranging from carefree and exciting to mundane and challenging. Every season of life has something unique to teach the person who experiences it. At times, life’s lessons can be painful (as in the case of a divorce, the loss of a loved one, or an unexpected illness). However, it helps to know you have people you can lean on as you suffer.
If you know a colleague, friend, or family member who’s going through a difficult time, you may feel helpless and incapable of making a difference. However, even though you can’t take the situation or the pain away, you can do plenty to uplift, comfort, and support the other person. From sending sympathy gifts to offering practical assistance, here are kind gestures you can make to help someone through a hard life season.
Provide a Listening Ear
Some people may be nervous about expressing their feelings for fear of judgment, misunderstanding, or rejection. However, being able to process and talk through your struggles is crucial for healing. You can help your friend get through hard life seasons by simply providing a listening, non-judgmental ear.
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to your friend in person, over the phone, or by text. Just be there for them and let them know you’re there to provide support and compassion. Keep in mind that there’s a time to speak and a time to listen. Try not to take over the conversation or offer advice unless your friend specifically asks you for your opinion. Otherwise, try to keep your own talking to a minimum while allowing them to direct the conversation wherever they need it to go.
Send a Sympathy Care Package
Sympathy gift baskets are perfect for those times when words seem to fall short. Sending a thoughtful care basket to a struggling friend can remind them that they’re not alone. It sends a nonverbal message of hope, compassion, and support. From treats and snacks to jewelry and flowers, there are many different sympathy gift ideas to choose from. You’ll need to decide what type of care basket you think will fit your friend’s needs best.
Ready-to-eat food is a great choice for anyone who’s overwhelmed by life’s circumstances and doesn’t have the energy to cook for themselves. Care packages filled with uplifting books or entertaining puzzles and games are ideal for someone who’s sick in bed or in the hospital. Self-care items like cozy slippers, scented candles, and comfy throws make thoughtful gifts for any challenging situation. Tuck in a sweet, personalized card to make your gift even more meaningful to the recipient.
Offer Practical Assistance
Gifts are always nice, but sometimes it’s even better to get practical help with everyday responsibilities or needs. Depending on what your friend is going through, they may be struggling with a low mood, low energy, or low funds. Unfortunately, many people tend to reject help if it isn’t offered in very specific ways. For example, if you ask someone, “How can I help you?” they may say they don’t know or respond that they’re doing fine. On the other hand, if you offer to do something specific (such as babysitting or bringing them dinner), they’re more likely to accept your assistance.
Take a minute to think about specific ways you could offer to help your friend. Perhaps they have a dog they can’t walk because they’re sick. Or maybe they need someone to take their child to soccer practice while they attend divorce proceedings. Whatever the case may be, offer to assist with specific things that could make their life easier. You’re more likely to make a profound difference that way, and they’re more likely to accept and appreciate your help.
Encourage Them to Seek Professional Help
Everyone goes through hard seasons in life. However, some challenges may be so emotionally draining that the person experiencing them becomes severely depressed. Occasional depression isn’t usually something to be too concerned about. But if it becomes a chronic condition or becomes severe, you may not be able to effectively help your friend. Things can get especially scary if they start to develop suicidal ideations.
It’s not always possible to tell if someone is suicidal. However, there are some telltale warning signs to watch out for, including:
- Withdrawal from friends and family members
- Expressions of feeling guilty or wanting to die
- ·Feeling trapped, hopeless, or extremely agitated
- Sleeping or eating more or less frequently
- Abusing substances to deal with emotions
If you notice any of these signs in someone you love, encourage them to seek professional help. You might even set up an appointment with a therapist and offer to go to their first appointment with them. If you’re worried about their immediate safety, contact 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Conclusion
The average person goes through multiple hard seasons throughout life. However, that doesn’t mean it gets any easier to wade through the dark times when they arrive. If you care about someone who’s in the middle of a difficult life phase, you can impact their life in positive ways. From sending heartfelt sympathy gifts to simply listening when they need someone to talk to, even the smallest gestures of kindness can change lives.