Friends are awesome. They are with you through the thick and thin. Some friends are there for a lifetime, while others are there for just a short while. Cherish your friends and help them. If you have a friend that is having a hard time with anything, whether it be work, school, or relationships, you need to show her that you are there for them. Here are some tips to help you encourage a friend that might be in need.
1. Stay in touch with your friend. One of the easiest ways to show your friend that you care is to stay in touch with them. This might be really easy if you live close to your friend, but if you aren’t in the same town, call your friend up, send them a text. It is very easy to stay close to your friends with all of the social networks that are set up. However, if you really want your friend to feel special, send them a handwritten note or call them up. It might sound old-fashioned, but it really will get your friend in high spirits.
2. Listen. When your friend comes to you for advice, listen to what they have to say. Sure, you might have a really funny story that you want to tell them, but wait until they have told you everything that they want to talk about. Turn off your cell phone and ignore all text messages that you might get. Give your friend your full, undivided attention.
3. Empathize. Show your friend that you care about what they have to say. When they are talking about their problems with you, say, “that sucks” or “I’m sorry”. Sometimes friends just need someone that will listen to what they have to say. They might not be looking for advice, they might just want someone that will show some compassion for them.
4. Don’t judge. No matter what your friend is doing, do not judge them. You are there to help them and make them feel better. They trust you enough to come to you and talk about what is bothering them. Don’t discourage them by judging what they are doing.
These are some simple things that you can do to show your friend that you care about them. Most of the time, friends just want a shoulder to rest their head on. Don’t judge them or think less of them. Offer them a hand to help them up and an ear to listen to them.
About the Author
Tammiy Jenkins is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is a site for those that have decided that they want to get their education and enroll in the best online colleges.
