5 Ways to Help a Friend in Pain
If someone you love is dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia or some other chronic pain condition, you may feel helpless, not knowing what you could possibly do to help. Fortunately, while you can’t completely take their pain away, you can ease it a bit by helping to make their lives easier and offering emotional support. Here are some ideas how.
- Make a Meal: A person with chronic pain may have difficulty getting off the couch, much less cooking for themselves. To help out, cook up some comfort and spend a little time enjoying the meal together. You might even offer to pick up groceries for your friend. Food always tastes better and more nutritious when it’s made with love.
- Help with the Kids: If your friend with chronic pain has children, many of the everyday responsibilities of being a parent can seem nearly impossible. Offer to pick up the kids from school or be available to babysit while your friend is at an appointment with the doctor. You can ease your friend’s mind when they know that someone they trust is taking care of their children. That way, they can focus on healing without worrying over the well-being of their kids.
- Give a Lift: Even driving can be difficult for someone who experiences chronic pain. And walking, even short distances, is usually out of the question. Offering your loved one a ride to places like their doctor’s office, the supermarket or even just around the corner can take a load off their mind and their achy feet.
- Lend a Hand: Regardless of which chronic pain condition your loved one is suffering from, pain along with decreased strength in their hands and fingers tends to be one of the most common and debilitating ailments. Whether you help them to write a letter or open a jar of pickles, you can save them a lot of pain and frustration by being there with your strong hands.
- Provide Warmth: Cold can be devastating to a chronic pain sufferer, so if you’d like to get them a gift, choose an electric blanket, heating pads or a hot water bottle which can really do wonders in alleviating pain. If you’re crafty, you can really show you care by knitting some mittens or socks.
Always consult your chiropractor or primary care physician for all your health related advice.