12 Ways to Comfort Friends Who've Had a Rough Year

1. First and foremost, invite your friend to get together with you, and during your visit take a moment to sincerely acknowledge their disappointment or loss. Even if you can only spare 30 minutes, you might treat your friend to a warm beverage—or offer a hug.
2. Acknowledge your friend’s loss, disappointment, or hardship with a letter or card. It’s validating for someone to recognize, in writing, their frustrating setbacks or painful ordeal.
3. Invite your friend for a private walk with you in a peaceful natural area. Or take a drive to a special spot with a glorious view. (The Pew Research Center just reported that being in nature is the third most popular way to relieve stress, reflected by 71 percent of Americans.)
4. Offer enjoyable diversions. Invite your loved one or friend to join you in a Watch Party to share a favorite holiday movie, watch a ball game, or even enjoy a goofy TV series. Or join in games—cards, video games, word puzzles, trivia, Mahjong, and others.
5. Create and send a thoughtful playlist of music that you feel they would enjoy (perhaps on Spotify). You might title the playlist: “Songs That Make Me Think of You,” or “Music Just for You.”
6. Make something with your hands. Whether it's a handmade greeting card, your own artwork, a wreath or ornament, a knitted hat, a wood carving, or a beaded gift, your creation shares your unique, personal touch.
7. Surprise your loved one or friend with a home delivery of something you know they personally adore (delivered with a handwritten note or card, “You deserve this after a *** 2022")--a basketful of cheeses, a jar of a spicy sauce, muffins, scented candles or soaps, roses, a potted plant, catnip for their cat, or treats for their dog.
8. Send a collection of photos or memorabilia (“I’ll never forget that day…”) that are meaningful to them, either in an email or as a snail mail gift as a scrapbook.
9. Send your friend tickets to a ball game or concert, with an invitation to join you for the upcoming event.
10. Send a sincere letter of gratitude for their love and support of you.
11. Invite your friend to an upcoming social gathering in the new year. And if you have a dog or cat, your friend can just visit you and enjoy your pet at your home.
12. Give your friend a gift card for a “spa day” or manicure, massage, facial, or another healing treatment.

Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!

Reflection:

How would you comfort a friend/how would you want to be comforted?

#Friendship #Support #Comfort