No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.
Charles Dickens
It’s one of the great risks we run when we allow ourselves to care about another person:
We become invested in their emotional wellness.
Your best friend is hurting.
Your partner is in pain.
Your coworker is showing signs that something isn’t quite right.
And you feel helpless. Perhaps even panicked.
You care deeply, and you want to help. But you’re not sure how to help.
From high-profile events, such as the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, to the personal stressors we experience every day, there are numerous potential triggers that may be affecting the people you care about.
Today we’re sharing some practical tips to help you support them:
1. Lead with empathy
At its core, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Even when you might feel helpless, empathy is one of your most powerful helping tools, with the ability to connect and transform the lives of the people around you.
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How to understand and respond to the feelings of another person
2. Show respect
When someone you care about is hurting, there’s a natural impulse to help them feel better NOW. This can prompt us to speak and act hastily, potentially causing more harm than good. The good news? By practicing 3 simple principles, we can avoid these common pitfalls and help support the ones we love.
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How to demonstrate respect as you support someone you care about
3. Be mindful of your limits
A limit is “the point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass; a restriction on the amount of something permissible or possible.” As you’re navigating the process of caring for someone who may be struggling, there are some common impulses you might experience. Fortunately, by taking some practical steps instead, you can support the people around you without compromising your own healthy boundaries.
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How to support someone you care about while maintaining healthy boundaries
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Looking for help as you support someone you care about?