An unfortunate part of life is going through ups and downs, but it’s easier when you have support. Conversely, when the people around you are going through difficult times, it’s your turn to be the support. As a good friend, an effective way to show you care is by being empathetic.
Empathy is similar to sympathy in the sense that you are being compassionate and caring. However, being empathic takes this a step further by attempting to feel what the other person feels. This requires a deeper connection and effort, as well as a willingness to go through the motions with them. Keep reading for ideas to effectively show your empathy and help your loved one during tough situations.
Table of Contents
1. Be a Good Listener
One of the biggest traits of being empathetic is listening. And not simply hearing what someone says, but doing your best to understand and feel their emotions with them. Being an empathetic listener means putting yourself in the other’s shoes. This allows you to get a glimpse of what they’re going through, which can help you understand how best to be there for them.
Sit down and allow them to talk through what’s been on their mind. Whether this is in person or on the phone, dedicate time to let them get everything off their chest. Ensure you’re being an active listener, as well. This means actively engaging with what you’re hearing to show you acknowledge what’s been said. For example, you could nod your head or ask questions for clarity.
Allowing your friend to rant can really take a weight off their shoulders. Sometimes it’s helpful to simply talk through your problems. By being a good listener, you’re providing your loved one this therapeutic experience and showing you care.
2. Give Them a Little Treat
Another way to demonstrate that you’re compassionate to your friend’s circumstance is to give them a gift. Presents don’t have to be reserved exclusively for holidays or birthdays. Gift-giving is a sentimental exchange that shows you’re thinking about your loved one. By proving they’re on your mind, you’re being empathic to their situation.
So what kind of gift is appropriate for this scenario? Sympathy gifts like care packages are a good option. These involve putting together or buying premade gift baskets full of goodies to make someone feel better. Or consider picking them up some of their favorite snacks or drinks.
You can also make it extra personal by purchasing something that made you think of them. It’s touching to hear that you’re on someone’s mind, especially so when seeing something reminds them of you. So allow your friend that feel-good moment by doing this for them. It could be a new food product you think they’d like, a piece of art that fits their style, et cetera. Remember — the more sentimental, the better.
3. Be Willing to Accommodate
Someone who’s going through a very difficult time may need some changes in how you treat them while they recover. For example, being more considerate and willing to compromise for their benefit is a good strategy to adopt. They might not be up for their old way of doing things, which is perfectly normal when going through grief or stress. Make sure you remember this and try not to pressure them to participate in something that would make them uncomfortable.
Be aware that your loved one might also need some space during this time. They might prefer to have some alone time where they can better process their emotions. However, put in the effort to keep checking in on them — you don’t want them to spend too much time alone. Bypassing any social meetings with friends can sometimes worsen a person’s mental health during rough patches. Do your best to make yourself available to spend time with them, but don’t be overbearing or push their boundaries too hard.
Moreover, when you do hang out together, try to suggest alternatives to heavy social events. If you used to enjoy going out every weekend, opt for a quieter activity. This could be enjoying a movie night at home, having a picnic, or grabbing a meal together. Be gentle with them and focus on letting them escape their problems when you’re together. In a sense, you can be their happy distraction for a little bit, which can be a healthy coping mechanism when not overused.
Go the Extra Mile
By now, you probably have a good sense of what it means to be part of an empathic support system. As a rule of thumb, do your best to put in lots of effort for the other person. Think about if the roles were reversed and it were happening to you. As briefly mentioned above, part of being empathic is putting yourself in their place. You can do this to understand how they feel, but also to understand what could help them feel better.
So, what would you appreciate on the receiving end? Visualize someone going the extra mile for you, and how that would make you feel. Now, insert any necessary modifications to fit your loved one’s personal preferences and interests. Once you’ve configured the plan, it’s time to go help them out. Just remember — it all comes down to showing you care and love them.
varsha 
mindmingles