When a chronic ailment knocks a person out of their routine, they’ll need steady support to return to a semblance of normality. From Lhasa OMS, here are ways to assist a friend who is coping with a continuing health condition to reestablish themselves and enjoy a satisfying life.

Building a Reserve of Empathy
Practice empathy by feeling the pain of your friend in your heart. Dedicate a little time each week to research more about their condition. For example, spend 20 minutes reading articles about others’ experiences for an inside view or find a podcast from someone in that community who discusses pressing issues.

When offering comfort, ponder what to say before speaking to avoid unintentionally spreading toxic positivity. Listen attentively. If you discern your friend is spiraling in negative thoughts, ask insightful questions that help them reason toward realistic coping mechanisms. Be careful not to badger them with unsolicited advice.

Creating a Less Stressful Home Environment
Persistent pain exacerbates the difficulty of daily struggles, so look for ways to help your companion alleviate anxiety-inducing factors at home. Encourage them to play soothing tunes since studies show that calming music lowers anxiety. You can also help to arrange the house to feel spacious and allow in natural light. Strategically placed mirrors can provide the illusion of doubling the home’s square footage and maximize brightness by reflecting sunlight. Houseplants can flourish in such a space, adding to the tranquility. Acquire attractive storage solutions that eliminate stress-causing clutter.

Apply the preceding tips to the home office as well. Your loved one’s health condition likely affects mobility, so invest in comfortable furniture that encourages ergonomic practices. An uncomfortable chair or desk can aggravate injuries and make work unbearable.

While your loved one may be attached to particular software or hesitate to upgrade their work computer, most systems become obsolete after five years and fail to function well with modern procedures. Instead of pushing them to overhaul their working setup, take a few weeks or months to patiently train them on a new piece of hardware or software before introducing another. Show them how to access customer support departments when you cannot personally aid them.

Helping Them Handle Care Arrangements
A chronic condition brings along extra doctors’ appointments and paperwork. Depending on the treatments, a traveling companion can be a godsend, especially when a procedure can leave the patient too weak to get themselves to and for safely, so provide a ride to medical visits when you can. Help your friend navigate the many forms, which can be hard to understand. Research health insurance matters to avoid missing any possible sources of additional aid.

Supporting Their Health Regimens
Exercise routines and dietary restrictions are no longer optional when one has a chronic disease. Show solidarity by joining the exercise program a day or two weekly. Pack a healthy snack that fits your loved one’s meal plan. When enjoying an outing or dining experience, find places that can accommodate dietary needs and learn how to make tasty, healthy meals that you can drop off to give them a night off.

Finding Compatible Communities
Illness can create moments of deep despair and loneliness, so help your friend locate and join support groups of folks with the same condition or who have similar struggles. New companions who have experienced the ups and downs can share tested advice and empathize fully.

Supporting a friend with a chronic condition is a long road. With an empathetic heart and sincere effort, you can be just what your friend needs while reestablishing themselves.