Introduction Of 7 Ways to Support & Encourage Your Loved Ones When They’re Struggling
7 Ways to Support & Encourage Your Loved Ones When They’re Struggling. Feeling worried, confused, and even resentful is natural when someone you care about experiences a disease or disability that threatens their health. It can be difficult to know what to say or do if your loved one is struggling with a chronic illness or disability.
However, a supportive network of family and friends can make all the difference for those with a chronic illness. The support of others is important in helping chronically ill people cope with their condition and remain hopeful about the future. You can also read 7 Ways to Approach a Relative or Friend Compassionately.
Their loved ones can help by providing practical support, such as driving them to medical appointments and helping manage household tasks, so they have more time for self-care. Here are 7 ways to support your loved ones when they’re struggling.
Create a platform for self-care.
Chronic illness or disability doesn’t mean your loved one is “disabled” or “stuck” in that condition. Instead, it means their body can no longer function as it once did. This can mean that your loved one may need to adjust or change their lifestyle to continue operating.
For example, someone with Lyme disease may need frequent exercise breaks to recover. People living with Parkinson’s disease may need to modify their daily routines to avoid restrictions on their activities. It’s important to create a platform for self-care that includes strategies for managing common symptoms.
This could include taking daily breaks to stretch and rest your body, avoiding harsh household cleaning products that irritate your skin, and applying moisturizing lotion to your skin regularly.
Volunteer to support your loved one.
When you volunteer with a loved one who has a chronic illness or disability, you’re helping them to regain a sense of independence and self-reliance. Many people with a chronic disease or disability are grateful for the help and support of family and friends, but they may feel embarrassed by their situation.
Volunteering can help to reduce these feelings of embarrassment and increase your loved one’s sense of self-worth. It can also provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the specific needs of your loved one and how to support them best.
For example, if your loved one has Parkinson’s disease, you may want to consider volunteering at a local Unicenter. This way, you can gain knowledge about the needs of seniors with this condition and see if there are any services or activities that your loved one could benefit from.
Don’t underestimate the value of a cuddle.
“Cuddling” has become a very clinical term in our society. However, a cuddle is more than just a clinical touch – it’s a genuine human connection between partners. Cuddling can improve blood flow to the brain, lower stress levels, and increase serotonin levels, a feel-good hormone.
Research suggests that cuddling can also help to relieve stress and improve sleep quality. Cuddling doesn’t need to be sexual; a cuddle can be any form of physical closeness between partners. If your loved one is ill or disabled, cuddling can help reduce stress, increase feelings of comfort and warmth, and decrease anxiety. Cuddling can be a great way to show your loved one that they matter and help them to feel loved and cared for.
Show empathy and care by listening without judgment.
When you’re communicating with your loved one, be respectful and patient. Instead of offering unsolicited advice, ask questions and show interest in their daily lives. You can also make your loved one’s day easier by helping to do some of the smaller chores in your home. This can significantly impact someone living with a chronic illness or disability.
In addition, helping with everyday tasks such as preparing meals, cleaning the house, and washing clothes can help your loved one to feel useful and have some control over their life. It may also give your loved one a break from thinking about their illness or disability and help to reduce their stress levels.
Another way to show empathy and care by listening without judgment is to keep a journal and read your loved one’s journal entries. Journals can be a great way for people to express their thoughts and feelings, and reading journal entries aloud can be a wonderful way to connect on a deeper level.
Educate yourself about invisible illnesses and disabilities.
It can be difficult to understand how a chronic illness or disability affects people, especially if you haven’t experienced it firsthand. Reading about the condition and talking to others with a similar situation can help better understand how it affects your loved one.
It may also help to read about other forms of chronic illness or disabilities so you’re better prepared to support your loved one if the need arises. It can be helpful to educate yourself about chronic diseases so that you’re better able to understand your loved one’s condition and communicate effectively with them. This could include learning more about the specific effects of your loved one’s condition, such as how it affects their mobility and cognition and what they may need regarding medications and treatment.
Offer financial support to help with costs.
Some chronic illnesses or disabilities are expensive to treat, and it can be difficult for your loved one to afford medical care if they don’t receive any financial support. You may not be able to fully cover the cost of your loved one’s medical bills each month, but it’s important to acknowledge that financial support is needed.
Your loved one may feel embarrassed about asking for help, and it can be difficult for them to recognize the need for financial support when dealing with the challenges of living with a chronic illness or disability. It’s important to acknowledge that financial support is needed, and you can do this by saying something like, “Let’s keep our eye on the ball here. I know you’re managing on a limited budget” You can also offer to pay for small purchases such as a coffee or parking ticket.
Conclusion
Chronic illness or disability can be difficult to deal with, but it doesn’t mean your loved one is “stuck” in that condition. Instead, it means your loved one’s body can no longer function as it once did. This can mean that your loved one may need to adjust or change their lifestyle to continue operating.
It’s important to create a platform for self-care that includes strategies for managing common symptoms and daily tasks. Cuddling can help to reduce the effects of stress, increase feelings of comfort and warmth, and help to decrease anxiety.
These cuddles don’t need to be sexual and can be any form of physical closeness between partners. Educate yourself about invisible illnesses and disabilities to better communicate with your loved one and offer them support. It’s also important to acknowledge that financial support is needed and believe that you can do this by saying something like, “Let’s keep our eye on the ball here. I know you’re managing on a limited budget.