*This is a partnered post
We all want the best for the people in our lives After all, none of us want our friends and family to be unhappy so we try to do everything we can to make that happen. The question then becomes, what happens when things get a little more serious? What happens when it seems like the people in your life are dealing with something worse than just feeling stressed from work or a bit under the weather? Does someone in your life need help? Here are some things that you can do when a friend or loved one is struggling:
Talk to them
The simplest thing to do when it seems like someone in your life really needs help is just to talk to them. Sit down and listen to what they have to say? Whether they’re dealing with problems at work, a toxic relationship, or mental health issues, the feeling of isolation that can impact a lot of people makes it all seem that much worse. By letting them know they can talk to you and that they’re not alone, you can take a great deal of that weight off their shoulders.
Offer concrete support
Then again, it might come to the point where you need to offer something a bit more substantial than just offering a sympathetic ear. If someone is in trouble and they can’t see a way out, you may be able to offer them concrete solutions. Being able to guide people towards everything from counseling to a meth addiction treatment center is a great thing to be able to do. A lot of the time people are so deep into whatever they’re going through that being able to see it clearly from the outside the way you do can be practically impossible for them.
Make them feel safe
When someone is struggling in their life, it’s easy to feel as though the world is out to get them. One of the best things that you can do is to make sure that they know exactly how much they mean to you and that they’re safe with you. Whether they need a rest, a shoulder to cry on, or just a chance to vent about the things that are making them angry, knowing that they have a safe place with you to do that can make a huge difference. Just make sure you set boundaries so that this kind of thing doesn’t take over your life.
No matter who someone is in your life, whether they’re your friends, your relatives, or anyone else you know, it’s always worth checking in on them and making sure that they’re doing okay. A lot of the time people tend not to make a big song and dance when they’re not really doing all that well which can make it easy to miss or ignore. By taking the time to check in on people and make it clear that they can talk to you, the chances of that happening go down a whole lot.
