BY: CHARLEY SUNDAY
Caring for a loved one with a chronic illness is not the easiest journey to navigate. Not only is it difficult to watch someone you love suffer, but there is also a fine line between being helpful and being overbearing. But being there for someone you love is an important role, and even if they don’t express it often, your loved one appreciates your presence and your help. So here are some helpful tips from Positivity in Pain on how to be there for the person you love in all the right ways.
Listen Carefully
One of the simplest things you can do for loved ones living with chronic health conditions is to simply listen to them in their time of need, explains Center Stone. Moreover, it’s about practicing patience in this area as your loved one may not always be ready and willing to talk at those times you want to offer a listening ear.
Show Them That You Believe What They Say
If you want to show your support for a chronic health sufferer, then you should try to be empathetic to what they’re experiencing. As the name suggests, their chronic symptoms may be severe and prolonged, so one should try not to become frustrated if the person does complain of symptoms frequently. Again, it pays to be patient and understanding in this area; this alone can help them to know that you’re there for them no matter what.
You can even do some additional research to help them understand and manage their condition. Positivity in Pain offers resources on a variety of chronic illnesses, so you can start there. They also provide positive and entertaining content designed to lift the spirits of those living with chronic pain, so you can share some of this content to lighten the mood, too.
Help with Day-to-Day Tasks
Often it is the simplest and most practical gestures that can go a long way in helping loved ones get through their day. So, for example, you could lend a helping hand when it comes to purchasing groceries, running errands, taking them to doctor appointments, etc. This should help to make life easier for those who may find it challenging to just get through the day.
Help Them with their Diets
If you’ve noticed that your loved one has neglected their eating habits, you could help them maintain a healthier diet. Creating healthier meal plans is a good place to start if you don’t know where to begin. There are a variety of apps that you could use for inspiration, such as Lifesum and Plan to Eat, to help guide you. Small gestures like these should help your loved one remain in optimum health mentally and physically, so they can manage their condition better overall.
Help Create a Healing Home Environment
Our homes can affect the way we feel. This is why it is so crucial to creating a home environment that feels safe and stress-free, especially for those who may be affected more negatively than others. If you can help out in this area, then this could be something extremely valuable that your loved one can benefit from in the long term. Moreover, focusing on a particular area in the home, such as the home office, could provide significant benefits to its user. Make sure there is plenty of light in the space, as natural light can reduce depression.
Two of the most common places to focus on are the furniture used in the area. The other is having sufficient and organized storage to make life simpler and more efficient at the end of the day. As far as home office furniture goes, be sure to pick out pieces that are ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and functionality. Digital storage is commonly used for large quantities of paperwork that need to be managed.
Help Where You Can
At the end of the day, it’s about going the extra mile for that person who means the world to you. And they are sure to notice and appreciate any gesture, no matter how big or small, so long as your actions speak for themselves.
About The Author:
Charley Sunday understands that every home needs a strong foundation, both literally and figuratively. Charley created A Strong Foundation to help others create a space that meets their needs and helps their families grow. The site offers advice on how to focus on your family’s needs and desires — instead of keeping up with the Joneses or living up to society’s expectations.”