Friendship is one of the most important things in life. Having someone you can rely on, share some laughs and get support from is such an amazing thing. Without friendship the world would truly be a much darker place, which is why you should always be thankful for the friends that you have.
One of the main components of friendship is care. In times of need, you must be there for your friend as well as vice-versa. One of the most common things that may happen to your friend is that they fall ill. Whether it be a common flu or something more serious, it’s always good to be able to offer your support. However, if you have never been in that position before, it is likely that you may feel a little bit lost in terms of what to do. If you feel like this, you may want to take in some of the advice listed below. It could really help you when you need to take care of a sick friend.
Understand What They Need
First of all, every person is different, as well as every sickness. This means that no two situations are going to be the same. It is a good idea to start off by identifying the needs of the person. Do they just need rest and a decent meal or do they require more professional help? If they require the latter, it is best to see a medical professional. From here, the best thing you can do is offer them emotional support as a friend. On the other hand, if they just require home care, there is actually a lot you can do. Depending on their illness you might want to provide them with various medicines or remedies. You should also try to understand what the best way to monitor their condition is. This could be the likes of checking their temperature to prevent vomiting. Once you understand the issue they are facing, try to do some research to understand how you can best help.
Prepare Them Food
If your friend is really down in the dumps, it is unlikely he/she will want to spring out of bed and start preparing a home-cooked meal. It is a really thoughtful and considerate thing to do to make food for them. This may not seem like that big of a deal for you to do, but for them it can really make a huge difference.
It is worth factoring in what illness they have to the food you make. For example, if they are suffering from nausea and vomiting, it may be best to stay away from spicy and harsh foods. Another thing to consider is they may have a throat condition or difficulty swallowing. In this instance, you might want to add a food and beverage thickener. These are available at Simply Thick, and can really make a difference to a person who suffers from these problems.
Take Their Mind Off of Things
When you are sick, it is kind of hard not to think about how bad you are feeling. Unfortunately, this tends to only make people feel worse. It can also cause people to get paranoid, which then leads to stress. All of these things are very harmful to the recovery process. That is why it is best to try and just get your mind off how you are feeling. This is something you can try to do to help your friend. Try to entertain them by maybe making them laugh, watching a movie, or even playing games together. Anything that isn’t talking about how they feel is likely to help.
Give Them Space
When people feel sick sometimes, they aren’t exactly in the most sociable mood. Some peace and quiet is sometimes the best medicine. Although you might really want to help, you should be able to identify if you are being too caring. Be sure to give them some time to themselves every now and again. Feel free to even ask them if they want some time alone. This could provide the opportunity for them to rest and sleep. There is plenty of caring you can do while giving them private time.
