7 Ways to Help Your Friends in Grief
“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing… not healing, not curing… that is a friend who cares”.- Henri Nouwen
It is imperative to support your friend in grief because she needs you the most in the time of despair. You cannot lessen her pain, but you can at least give her a shoulder to cry. Check out some ways to help your friends in grief.
1. Be there for support
Stay with her in all possible situations. Your words would not heal her pain, because acceptance depends on time. But, your physical presence will mean a lot. There will be a security and assurance. Let her cry her heart out, because it will only make her feel lighter from within.
2. Do not say something that might hurt
Use words which help to relieve her pain. Do not use words which would increase her pain. Like, do not talk about her past. This would make her upset. Tell her that time is the biggest healer. Everything will be alright. Assure her with your positive words.
3. Take it in your stride
Your friend is in grief, so she will experience a range of emotions. That can include hurt, anger and frustration. If she tells you something in fury, stay calm in the situation. You need to be positive all the time. The situation is not about you, it is about your friend, do remember this.
4. Be there for things
Tell your friend that you are there for everything that she needs. Tell her to make a list of things, so that you help her out in each possible way. At first, she might not agree to whatever you say. Convince her to make her feel good.
